The City of Highland Park is the originating community of the GIS Consortium. The City formulated the concept of the GIS Consortium and they continue to provide a leadership role in the organization.

The City initiated its Geographic Information System (GIS) program in 1994 using a traditional single GIS Manager approach. In 1997 the position became vacant and the City was looking for a more efficient and viable approach. Through the leadership of the City Manager, David Limardi, a group of communities began discussing the benefits of a cooperative approach to GIS technology and the GIS Consortium was started.