Twinsburg Launches Blackboard Connect

A newly launched technology gives city officials the chance to stay in touch with residents regarding important notices, emergencies and more.

The is using Blackboard Connect, a multimedia application that allows the city to contact residents with pertinent information about the latest developments in the city. Officials can send unlimited, personalized voice messages to home phones, businesses and mobile phones. Instead of receiving phone calls, residents can design their preferences to receive updates via email, text messaging, RSS feeds, Facebook or Twitter.

In a society where people are glued to iPads and smart phones, the city wants to reach residents in a more updated fashion.

"Keeping our residents safe and informed is of the upmost importance,” Mayor Katherine Procop said. “Blackboard Connect helps enable us to send important, tailored notifications to residents quickly and efficiently, whether it's trash pick-up delays or a missing child.”

Blackbord Connect is marketed and managed by Blackboard Inc. in Washington DC. It has been implemented in communities, schools and colleges across the country.

Each message can be sent to a target group. The city's authorized users can also use geo-mapping features to contact residents based on specific locations and interests. Procop said residents should update their contact information and message preferences for Blackboard Connect. She said messages will only be sent based on need and will be vetted by her office.

Public residential and business phones in the city are automatically included in the system. Residents can visit the city's website to provide contact information. There, they can also manipulate their preferred mode of contact, choose a language and decide which message topics they would like to receive.

Residents who need assistance or don't have Internet access should call 330-963-6240. Those with call-blocking services should add these numbers to their approved lists to receive updates from the city: 330-963-6207 and 330-425-1234.