Justin Carinci//September 28, 2009//
The company that manages e-mail notifications for Oregon state agencies and TriMet has bought a social media company it describes as Facebook for government. GovDelivery, based in St. Paul, Minn., bought Washington-based GovLoop for an undisclosed amount, the companies announced today.
Government agencies including the Oregon Departments of Environmental Quality, Consumer and Business Services, Fish and Wildlife and Human Services, the Oregon Legislature and TriMet use GovDelivery to manage their digital subscription services. Citizens can sign up through the agency Web pages to receive notifications by e-mail, RSS feed or text message.
On the federal level, large departments including Homeland Security, Defense, State and Justice, along with the White House, are GovDelivery clients. Across federal, state and local agencies, more than 10 million people have signed up for government updates handled by GovDelivery.
GovLoop is a social networking site for government employees, academics and government accountability advocates. Members share work tips, agency news and interests ranging from technology to hobbies. The site claims more than 18,000 members.
Under the deal, GovLoop will become an operating division of GovDelivery. Steve Ressler, GovLoop’s founder, will continue as president of the division.
Dolan Media Co., which is headquartered in Minneapolis, is GovDelivery’s largest shareholder, with a noncontrolling minority interest.
Dolan Media publishes business journals, court and commercial newspapers and other publications, including the Daily Journal of Commerce.