City of Grand Marais launches tool for communicating with residents
Feb 28, 2025 10:25AM ● By Content Editor
Photo: YouVersion on Unsplash.com
By Laura Durenberger-Grunow - Boreal Community Media - Updated March 13, 2025
Last month, the City of Grand Marais launched a new tool for communicating with residents called TextMyGov. TextMyGov was first established in 2019 and is a way for municipalities to communicate with residents (or anyone who opts in) via text versus having to download an app. According to the website, TextMyGov is currently being used in all 50 U.S. states and Canada.
City of Grand Marais Communications Director Patrick Knight first proposed the usage of TextMyGov in November 2024 to the city council as a way to enhance communications between the city and its residents. The proposal was voted on in December 2024 and was unanimously approved with an initial cost of $5,000, with an additional $3,500 annually for three years.
While TextMyGov has features beyond one-way communication from the city to those who opt-in, including two-way communication for reporting issues and keyword-based city-related information retrieval, Knight says that "At this stage, our focus is on delivering announcements and emergency notifications to ensure a seamless and effective rollout."
"Looking ahead, we recognize the value of interactive features and are committed to implementing them in a way that maintains a high standard of service," he added.
Those who would like to receive text communications from the city can sign up by sending the keyword "GMalerts" to 91896. You will receive a text response asking you to reply "YES" to confirm opt-in. You may opt out of communications anytime by texting "STOP."
By Laura Durenberger-Grunow - Boreal Community Media - Updated March 13, 2025
Last month, the City of Grand Marais launched a new tool for communicating with residents called TextMyGov. TextMyGov was first established in 2019 and is a way for municipalities to communicate with residents (or anyone who opts in) via text versus having to download an app. According to the website, TextMyGov is currently being used in all 50 U.S. states and Canada.
City of Grand Marais Communications Director Patrick Knight first proposed the usage of TextMyGov in November 2024 to the city council as a way to enhance communications between the city and its residents. The proposal was voted on in December 2024 and was unanimously approved with an initial cost of $5,000, with an additional $3,500 annually for three years.
While TextMyGov has features beyond one-way communication from the city to those who opt-in, including two-way communication for reporting issues and keyword-based city-related information retrieval, Knight says that "At this stage, our focus is on delivering announcements and emergency notifications to ensure a seamless and effective rollout."
"Looking ahead, we recognize the value of interactive features and are committed to implementing them in a way that maintains a high standard of service," he added.
Those who would like to receive text communications from the city can sign up by sending the keyword "GMalerts" to 91896. You will receive a text response asking you to reply "YES" to confirm opt-in. You may opt out of communications anytime by texting "STOP."
Those who opt-in may receive communications from the city regarding road closures, public hearings, or utility outages, like the one that left some Grand Marais Public Utility customers without power during an Extreme Cold Warning in January.
"We’re excited about this new way of communicating with residents and look forward to sharing
important city notifications," the city said in a release.
To learn more, visit the City of Grand Marais website here.
