--- title: "From Tools to Ecosystem: Polco’s Summer 2025 Product Release" description: Discover how Polco’s Summer 2025 release transforms civic engagement, performance tracking, and AI use for smarter local government. --- [Polco News & Knowledge ](https://blog.polco.us) # [From Tools to Ecosystem: Polco’s Summer 2025 Product Release](https://blog.polco.us/from-tools-to-ecosystem-polcos-summer-2025-product-release) Written by [Polco](https://blog.polco.us/author/polco) | July 17, 2025 Polco’s Summer 2025 Product Release wasn’t just about launching new features—it was about reimagining how local governments can work smarter, engage deeper, and act faster. Whether you’re a longtime partner or just learning about Polco, this release marks a turning point: Polco is evolving from a collection of civic tools into a complete, intelligent ecosystem for public sector performance.   ## A Smarter, Connected Future for Public Service Alex Pedersen, Polco’s Co-founder and Head of Strategy, and Jim Schuett, VP of Product, unveiled powerful upgrades across Polco’s three core pillars: [Track](https://info.polco.us/platform/track), [Engage](https://info.polco.us/platform/resident-engagement), and [Assess (Benchmark Surveys)](https://info.polco.us/platform/benchmark-surveys). But this wasn’t just an update—it was a clear signal that Polco is building for the future of governance.   ### 1. Track: More Than Dashboards—Now a Strategic Intelligence Engine [Polco’s Track Dashboards](https://info.polco.us/platform/track) now offer: - [Peer Comparison Groups](https://info.polco.us/platform/track/comparison-groups): View how your community stacks up against relevant cohorts, not just national averages. - **Interactive Maps and Predictive Modeling**: Spot trends, anticipate outcomes, and plan with greater confidence. - **Goal Setting and Sharing**: Set targets right on your dashboards and embed charts into council packets or public sites. In short, Track is now a forward-looking command center for performance management and decision-making.   ### 2. Engage: Your Civic Newsroom and Project Hub The [Engage module](https://info.polco.us/platform/resident-engagement) got a major overhaul to streamline public communication: - [Content Posts](https://info.polco.us/platform/resident-engagement/content-posts) now combine updates, data, and engagement tools in one story-driven experience. - **Project Pages** organize long-term initiatives—think downtown revitalizations, park expansions, or housing plans—into a single narrative. - [Redesigned Resident Feed](https://info.polco.us/solutions/for-residents) makes it easier for people to participate and stay informed. This turns public input into an ongoing conversation, not just a one-off survey.   ### 3. Benchmark Surveys Reimagined [Polco’s gold-standard benchmark surveys](https://info.polco.us/platform/benchmark-surveys) (like [The National Community Survey](https://info.polco.us/platform/benchmark-surveys/national-community-survey)) are now even more accessible and actionable: - **Digital-first reports** like the [Rent Burden Report](https://polco.us/n/res/vote/polco/rent-burden-scorecard) deliver instant insights. - Survey **data integration** into Track and AI tools ensures that resident feedback directly fuels planning and strategy. - R**eady-To-Go survey packages** make high-quality insights faster and more affordable to collect.   ### 4. AI That’s Built for You—And With Your Data [AI isn’t an add-on](https://info.polco.us/platform/ai)—it’s now woven into the entire platform. Highlights include: - [**Polly**](https://info.polco.us/platform/ai/insights-agent) and **[Grace](https://info.polco.us/platform/ai/grant-writer-agent):** AI agents for strategy and grant writing that work with your data. - [Bring Your Own Data](https://info.polco.us/platform/ai/bring-your-own-data): Upload PDFs, spreadsheets, or docs to create your own secure, AI-powered assistant tailored to your team. - [Embeddable AI Tools](https://info.polco.us/platform/ai/chatbots): Add Polco’s smart assistants directly to your website or intranet. Everything is transparent, modular, and built with government oversight in mind.   ## A Platform Built on Your Input From award-winning cities to small towns, Polco’s upgrades are shaped by the real needs of public leaders. Communities like [Shakopee](https://blog.polco.us/how-shakopee-made-taxpayer-education-enticing), [LA Metro](https://blog.polco.us/how-la-metro-impressed-residents-with-its-budget-engagement-outreach), [Buffalo Grove](https://blog.polco.us/buffalo-groves-simple-strategy-to-reach-diverse-voices), and Honolulu are already using the platform to inform policy, improve services, and build public trust. This evolution supports a broader vision: helping governments close the loop from input to outcomes in a continuous performance cycle: engage residents, set goals, execute programs, and track progress all in one place. Polco is more than a platform, it’s a partner for smarter, more connected public service. ## Ready to See It in Action? As a thank you to the communities that have helped shape this release, and in celebration of [Polco’s 10th Anniversary](https://blog.polco.us/blog/celebrating-10-years-of-polco), Polco is offering 25% off all products through the end of July 2025.     [View full post](https://blog.polco.us/from-tools-to-ecosystem-polcos-summer-2025-product-release) ```json { "@context" : "http://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Polco" }, "dateModified" : "2025-08-22T21:55:32.813Z", "datePublished" : "2025-07-17T04:00:00Z", "headline" : "From Tools to Ecosystem: Polco’s Summer 2025 Product Release", "image" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "height" : 676, "url" : "https://50271976.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/50271976/Blog/Featured-Images/Polco_Blog-From_Tools_to_Ecosystem_Summer_2025_Product_Release.webp", "width" : 1201 }, "mainEntityOfPage" : "https://blog.polco.us/from-tools-to-ecosystem-polcos-summer-2025-product-release", "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "height" : 60, "url" : "/hs/hsstatic/content_shared_assets/static-1.4092/img/default-amp-logo.png", "width" : 60 }, "name" : "Polco News & Knowledge" } } ```