Two years into its journey, Engage Hillsboro is leading the charge in redefining community engagement and outreach in Hillsboro, Oregon. Since its inception in 2022, the digital platform – alongside its Spanish-language counterpart, Conéctate Hillsboro – has seen a nearly fourfold increase in site visits, boasting nearly 80,000 hits. Community interaction also saw a surge with nearly 11,000 users actively taking part in surveys and polls, signaling a significant jump from the 3,100 participants who engaged in the first year.

Evidently, Hillsboro residents have taken to their screens to voice concerns, share insights, and shape their city's trajectory. According to the city's recent announcement, Engage Hillsboro has been instrumental in drawing community input for more than two dozen city projects. These include the Transportation Safety Action Plan, the Oak/Baseline/10th Avenue Corridor Study and the Shute Road Multi-Use Path, as well as contributions to the Safe Routes to School initiative through grant-funded safety enhancements.

The uptick in digital engagement comes as more cities nationwide are looking to quickly adapt to and integrate technology in civic engagement processes. Hillsboro's approach has been notably successful in bridging the gap between municipal planning and resident input, ensuring community voices are not just heard but also acted upon. Such digital platforms are becoming critical in directing the ebb and flow of urban development and policy which are, more often than not, directly impacted by those they serve.

As Engage Hillsboro steps into its third year, the future looks promising. The program's growth reflects a larger appetite for civic participation that is accessible, immediate, and, above all, effective. Results thus far suggest that the Hillsboro community is more inclined than ever to actively participate in the planning and execution of city projects.