The City of Lathrop is using technology to put the direction of the city into the hands of its residents. 

Literally.

With the launch of the Lathrop CARES App to help notify city staff of potential maintenance issues and the LathropSMART Business Directory to inform residents about local businesses and what they provide the city is using technology to help give residents more of a say in where their money goes – whether that’s to remove a downed tree or to spend it at a local business rather than a national chain.

The Lathrop Cares app, which is available for download in both the Apple and Android App Stores, gives residents a direct line to notify the city about a variety of quality-of-life issues that can then be assessed and distributed to the people that can make a difference.

“The Lathrop CARES app provides a direct line of communication between the community and the City of Lathrop staff,” said Lathrop Director of Parks, Recreation, and Maintenance Development Todd Sebastian. “If you see a City tree down, a water main broken, or have a question about City services, a request can be submitted through the app.

“The program also allows pictures to be taken, which uses geocoding to automatically tell the City where the problem is located.”

Thanks to an explosive housing market that has helped make Lathrop one of the fastest growing cities in California, residents – especially those moving to Lathrop from the Bay Area or elsewhere – need to learn about the landscape of their new home and what local businesses serve their area.

Lathrop feels that the launch of the LathropSMART Business Directory – which is available on the city’s website or through the Lathrop CARES App – will help promote businesses of all kinds, including home businesses, that are operating within the city’s limits that might other otherwise get the exposure to potential customers.

By promoting local businesses, Lathrop is helping keep the money that residents earn in the communities in which they live – paying dividends in terms of tax revenue to help provide even more amenities that the public can enjoy.

“This program is a free service offered by the City of Lathrop,” said Lathrop’s Economic Development Administrator Shelley Burcham. “Whether you are thinking about ‘What’s for dinner?’, looking for a bank, network security, or auto repair services, the LathropSMART Business Directory is at your fingertips.”

For additional information about the Lathrop CARES App or the LathropSMART Business Directory visit the City of Lathrop’s website at www.ci.lathrop.ca.us.

To contact Bulletin reporter Jason Campbell email jcampbell@mantecabulletin.com or call 209.249.3544.