City launches new Web site!

The City of New Castle has overhauled its Web site with a new and improved design. The site has a new look and is loaded with information for residents and visitors. The redesigned site has improved navigation and is aimed at being ultra user-friendly.

Last January, the New Castle City Council reviewed a range of proposals for updating the site. These included the possibility of contracting with a private vendor for the work and paying for a prototype City site which had already been developed. Costs for those options were wide-ranging and as much as $20,000.

City Council members selected the Delaware Government Information Center (GIC) to revamp the City’s site. Since this is a department of the State of Delaware, no City tax dollars were expended in development of the updated site.

The GIC has helped a number of Delaware municipalities develop Web sites — either from scratch or with updated designs. The City of New Castle is the largest community (population-wise) to which the GIC has provided these services.

There are a number of advantages the City enjoys having their site with the GIC. For example, Web hosting is provided by the State, so this is a cost savings to the City. The GIC also provides training to City employees, who now have the ability to directly edit the site and upload information. Not only does this add to the cost savings, but may greatly increase the speed at which items of importance can be placed online.

The City wishes to especially thank the GIC team for all their efforts. Kudos also to City staff in Finance and Administration for their efforts, and of course to the Mayor and Council members who supported City personnel working along with GIC to develop a new and improved City Web site.

Note, the updated site has a new address: newcastlecity.delaware.gov. Persons accessing the former address will be automatically redirected. Frequent visitors may want to update their bookmarks or favorites.