The Customer
Jasper County, Iowa, is a rural community spanning 735 square miles, home to approximately 37,000 residents. Known for its farmland and dispersed population, the county represents a classic rural American landscape where connections matter deeply. Despite its small size, Jasper County has always focused on fostering a strong sense of community through local events, programs, and resources.
Jasper County
State: Iowa
Population: 37,000
"That's one thing I love about ‘with’: it's really a one-stop place. I don't have to do multiple things in different programs or platforms. Everything is there."
The Challenges
Jasper County, like many other communities, faced significant community engagement challenges, keeping residents informed about local events and resources. With a population spread across 735 square miles and traditional communication channels declining, staying connected was becoming increasingly difficult.
Too Many Calendars
Event information was scattered across social media, posters, word of mouth, and outdated websites. Many residents didn’t know where to search for relevant activities, especially those who avoided social media entirely.
Internally, the lack of a centralized calendar created inefficiencies. Different departments maintained their own schedules without coordination, leading to confusion and occasional overlap.
“The challenge is that there’s a lot of calendars... but they don’t automatically import into one place.”
Bridging the Distance
Geographic dispersion further complicated matters in bridging community gaps. In rural areas where communities are spread out, residents couldn’t rely on casual encounters or local chatter to learn about events. Meanwhile, the decline of traditional media – like newspapers reducing print frequency, and radio stations switching to syndicated content – meant fewer reliable ways to share information.
Adding to these challenges was the fact that residents are agnostic about events hosted by government departments or external organizations. They simply wanted one place to find activities relevant to them—whether for children, veterans, or couples—without needing to understand which entity was responsible.
The Solution
Jasper County recognized its unique role as the only organization with a shared interest in serving all residents—regardless of age, background, or specific needs. To address the challenges of scattered information and disconnected communities, the county adopted ‘with’, a comprehensive platform that made it easier to manage and share events and resources. By creating a centralized community calendar, Jasper County established a single, reliable source for all local events and resources.
Building Trust Through Community Calendar
The Community Calendar consolidated all events—whether hosted by government departments or external organizations—into one accessible location, bridging gaps between departments. This eliminated the confusion caused by scattered information across social media, posters, and outdated websites.
By providing up-to-date and accurate information about everything – from government meetings to local fundraisers, Jasper County is building trust in their communities and strengthening community connections.
in comparison to a year before.
"It's so seamless—from putting everything in until you submit it. It's perfect for the county to implement, so people can see it, sign up, and hopefully make it their first stop for information."
"It was the perfect timing to bring everything together—resources for addiction help, free Thanksgiving meals, or Meals on Wheels, all on one calendar."
Conclusion
For Jasper County, ‘with’ wasn’t just another tool—it became an essential pathway toward stronger community connections and more efficient event management. With the help of a centralized community calendar, Jasper County has shown that even rural communities can stay connected and engaged. By bridging the gaps in communication, the county reaffirmed its role as a trusted resource for all residents.
Ready to create your centralized community calendar? Talk with our community experts today.
