Digital engagement platform Polco and online simulation provider Balancing Act announced they have merged to provide data-driven tools to empower government-citizen collaboration.
The merger joins two philosophically aligned government technology organizations to address the challenges local governments face today. Together, they seek to provide the next generation of solutions to address polarization, declining trust, staffing issues, housing shortages, and other concerns.
Polco, based in Middleton, provides community engagement services, online polls, and survey research. Denver-based Balancing Act offers simulation-based public engagement tools such as Budget Simulation and Housing Simulation.
The union enhances Polco’s offerings with educational simulations that create two-way communication between communities and governments. The simulations build empathy for the tough trade-offs involved in budgeting for local governments, schools, transit systems, and parks, as well as community planning for housing and sustainability. In turn, Polco broadens Balancing Act’s capabilities through social science rigor, data verification and validation, and an understanding of public sentiment.
