If you work in the public sector, are you having a hard time connecting with your peers about their Web 2.0 activities? Alternatively, do you ever spend more time online than you expected looking for a repository of information that allows you to interact with your state or local government?

Well, search no further. Today, I’m excited to announce that Microsoft State & Local Government (SLG) is launching a new site called Gov2Social!

First, Gov2Social is a social media directory for state and local governments. Why is this important? I’ve mentioned a couple of scenarios above but more importantly we’re seeing a growing level of interest and adoption among state and local governments of Web 2.0 tools that support open and transparent government initiatives. However, we found a significant gap in how state and local governments and their citizens could connect online in a one-stop shop manner. With Gov2Social, state and local governments can share best practices, connect with peers, and learn how to implement social networking services – all of which help advance the usage of Gov 2.0 tools.

Second, Gov2Social is an online destination for citizens who wish to easily search and find social media properties related to their own state, city or county. As a result, the site makes it much easier to find agencies, individuals and elected officials online rather than searching multiple sites to locate information, which is a huge time saver.

I’d also like to point out that we built Gov2Social on Microsoft Azure (our cloud platform) which Townhall was also built on (if you missed that announcement, check it out here). Townhall allows governments, candidates, advocates and consumers to build online communities around campaigns, projects or events. Similarly, Gov2Social is bringing together the state and local community around Gov 2.0, while building a comprehensive resource that crosses geographical boundaries.

Here’s what you can do on Gov2Social and get started now by searching for your city, your state, your county, or a government official:

  • State and local governments: Highlight your social media adoption and see what your peers are doing.
  • Government and elected officials: Promote your social media activities and increase your followers.
  • Citizens: Get connected with your local government officials and activities.

I’ll share more about Gov2Social in the coming days and weeks, and we’re planning to feature more content such as podcasts and best practices highlighting exciting state and local Gov 2.0 initiatives. In the meantime, get on Gov2Social today and follow us on Twitter for ongoing updates!



Link to original post