Free Neighborhood Web Sites Build Citizen Involvement

Patty Beyers, Neighborhood Link

 

Neighborhood Link (www.neighborhoodlink.com) is a civic communications tool that enables neighborhood associations across the United States to create their own free, interactive Web sites. These sites are designed to build stronger communities and further enable civic participation and communication in all regions that embrace this tool.

Denver-based Neighborhood Link currently has more than 12,000 neighborhood Web sites online. The company now serves 24 U.S. metropolitan areas:  Baltimore, Cincinnati, Colorado Springs, Columbus, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Las Vegas, Los Angeles/Orange County, Memphis, Milwaukee, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Nashville, New Orleans, Orlando, Phoenix, Portland/Vancouver, Sacramento, San Antonio, San Diego, Tampa and Tucson and plans to be in 30 markets by Dec. 31, 1999.

Neighborhood Link relies on category exclusive corporate sponsorships to provide this valuable resource, offering six sponsorships in each metropolitan region. Some typical sponsors include AT&T, Fannie Mae, The San Antonio Spurs, Time Warner Communications, Bank One. VIA Metropolitan Transit and many others.

Each neighborhood Web site is loaded with helpful  information. The sites contain interactive areas to  discuss relevant community issues and a place for neighbors to put up their own family pages so neighbors can meet each other. An association and neighborhood information area features a place for neighborhood meeting schedules, lists of board of directors members, the history of the associations and much more. The local government and public safety areas contain hotlinks that enable neighborhoods to connect instantly with appropriate elected officials and local government Web sites. The crime section posts links to all police and public safety Web sites on each neighborhood's Web site. This area encourages closer relationships between residents and the police. Neighborhood Link also offers a community pages feature that allows residents to create additional pages that offer information on  neighborhood issues, groups and resources such as zoning issues and recycling programs. And, a helpful resources area contains updated local weather forecasts, a classifieds section and much more.

By connecting neighbors with city government and other neighbors, Neighborhood Link has become a key resource for civic communication and information in many metropolitan areas across the United States. Residents without Internet access can visit participating local libraries and use the computers that Neighborhood Link has been bookmarked on for easy access. 

NEIGHBORHOOD LINK

If you have any questions about Neighborhood Link or would like to learn more about how to get your city up and running on the network, please visit the site at www.neighborhoodlink.com or call Neighborhood Link toll free at 1-(888)-241-0123 .




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Last updated: 09/27/06.