Open for Matching: Connecting with Rural Communities

How can the City of Hamilton effectively reach rural residents to share news, updates and engagement opportunities?

Project Description: The City of Hamilton is home to urban and rural communities, each with unique communication and engagement needs. The City shares information about programs, services, and initiatives to its urban and rural communities using various communication tactics, including print and digital advertising, social media, and media relations. 

The decline of local news outlets in rural areas creates challenges to share information about municipal issues and decisions, which can lead to the risk of misinformation, reduces civic engagement, and weakens transparency.

The focus of this project is to gather information about what channels do rural residents prefer to hear about City news, service updates and engagement opportunities.

City Staff: Sylvia Pena, Communications and Strategic Initiatives

Deliverables: Primary research, Secondary research

Project Start Date/ Availability: Fall 2025

Location: Ward 9, Ward 11, Ward 12, Ward 13, Ward 15

City Strategy Priority: Community Engagement and Participation