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EDC approves Visitwidget hosting contract; initial setup fee and monthly cost discussed
Summary
The Dickinson EDC approved a contract with Visitwidget for a city‑branded visitor app and website hosting. The board approved an initial setup fee and monthly hosting charge; meeting discussion included differing monthly figures in the presentation and the motion carried unanimously.
The Dickinson Economic Development Corporation approved a contract with Visitwidget to host a branded visitor website and mobile app intended to promote Dickinson attractions, upcoming development and local businesses.
EDC staff presented Visitwidget as a bundled offering: a city‑branded visitor app and a WordPress‑based hosting package that includes daily backups, SSL encryption and analytics. During the presentation staff listed an initial setup fee of $5,450 for migration and customization and described features including embedded maps, an events calendar, ADA compliance and analytics to track visitor engagement.
During later discussion a board member quoted an initial setup number of $5,400 and a monthly fee of $849; the presenter earlier had described a much lower monthly hosting line in the slide text. The board debated the product’s CRM/analytics capabilities and whether Visitwidget’s analytics substitute for the EDC’s current CRM tool. Staff clarified that the EDOIQ product used by the EDC provides project‑tracking features not matched by Visitwidget, and that Visitwidget’s analytics are primarily visitor‑engagement metrics rather than an economic‑development CRM.
Motion and vote: a board member moved to approve the Visitwidget contract and another member seconded. The board took a voice vote and the motion passed.
The contract cost was included in the fiscal year budget packet reviewed at the meeting. Staff said IT had reviewed Visitwidget’s security features and backed the platform as a more appropriate host than the EDC’s previous site arrangement.
The board’s action authorized staff to finalize the Visitwidget contract; staff will proceed with the onboarding and migration steps described in the presentation.
