ClearGov Debuts Powerful New Project Communications Tool for Local Governments Mission-driven startup introduces affordable, scalable way to keep interested residents informed about ongoing community projectsMaynard, MA (3/14/19) – ClearGov, a leader in municipal technology, announced today it has introduced an easy new way for local governments and school districts to inform residents about capital projects and other important community initiatives. The new ClearGov Projects application, which comes free with the ClearGov Insights platform, allows town and school officials to quickly create and publish project pages that not only shine a spotlight on capital development, but also help to spread the word far and wide. These template-driven pages take only minutes to populate and post, and allow agencies to share project timelines, documents, budgets, and more in one centralized location. While today’s taxpayers have a vested interest in capital projects like new construction and sewer and road improvements, they don’t have a lot of time — especially at the end of a long work day when most public meetings take place (and where projects like these are typically discussed). And, with fewer beat reporters tracking local town council events, it’s increasingly difficult for citizens to stay informed about the issues they care about most. ClearGov CEO Chris Bullock says, “ClearGov Projects gives local governments a new 24/7 communications channel that makes it easy for interested residents to get educated, updated, and provide feedback or ask questions about a highlighted project.” According to Bullock, once an agency creates a page for their project they can easily publish it to ClearGov, syndicate it to their website, and share it on social media to drive engagement. Residents can also follow a project to keep tabs on the latest developments by simply visiting the page and clicking on the Subscribe to Project Updates button. Once subscribed, they’ll automatically receive email notifications every time information on the page gets updated. If project deadlines change or progress stalls, project page followers will be among the first to know. The Village of Rye Brook in Westchester County, New York is already leveraging the innovative project communications tool to promote critical, public-funded construction activities in their community. Rye Brook is among the first municipalities in the country to go live with a ClearGov Project Page. An early adopter of ClearGov Insights, Rye Brook launched the state’s first infographic-based Fiscal Transparency Center back in March of 2017. Since then, another 17 New York communities have followed suit launching centers of their own, powered by ClearGov.  Last October, the Village kicked off a year-long construction project to replace its existing 80-year old public works facility with a modern new complex better equipped to meet the community’s needs. The serendipitous release of the new ClearGov Projects app gave Village Administrator Chris Bradbury an easy new way to keep Rye Brook residents informed about how the project is progressing. “Using ClearGov Projects,” he explained, “I was able to quickly publish a page that housed everything related to the new facility, including detailed blueprints and current and projected expenditures. We expect that our ClearGov Project Page will not only help keep our community better informed and engaged, but will also save my team countless hours of effort that would otherwise be required to respond to questions from our constituents.” The page, accessible via the Village’s Transparency Site, includes pictures, a feasibility study, and other planning documents, as well as a frequently updated timeline detailing key project milestones. Bradbury says the page is particularly useful for residents who live in close proximity to the construction site and are likely to be most affected in the coming months. Project pages also include an optional comments feature which enables page owners to invite visitors to ask questions or post feedback in a moderated forum. It’s a good opportunity for public leaders to uncover issues they perhaps weren’t aware of, and also to potentially identify previously silent supporters who can help champion a project and build consensus and momentum. ClearGov CEO Chris Bullock adds, “it’s also a great way to get a heads up on any public misconceptions so you’re not blindsided at your next public hearing.” About ClearGovClearGov is on a mission to build a community of transparent, data-driven, modern governments. ClearGov provides a full suite of turnkey, cloud-based solutions to help local municipalities drive transparency, streamline budgeting, and better engage residents. ClearGov’s award-winning platform is currently used by hundreds of communities across 26 different states. For more information, visit www.cleargov.com. ### PRESS CONTACT: Is Your Financial Data Clear to Residents?Use ClearGov Insights and keep local residents in the loop with your whole story:  |
