This page answers two fair questions plainly: why is Civic-Host free, and what happens to the information townships publish. There is no catch, and here is exactly how it works.
Civic-Host is a Jurisdiction Watch company. Jurisdiction Watch is a data and analytics company that tracks local regulatory, infrastructure, and community conditions across the United States, used by infrastructure developers, utilities, and investors to understand what's happening in a given area.
Jurisdiction Watch funds Civic-Host's free hosting program because every enrolled township becomes a source of fresh, verified, local information — meeting minutes, public notices, and permit activity that are already public record.
All information that is already, by law, public.
A conventional software subscription was never realistic for townships with no budget for vendor contracts. By funding the service directly in exchange for the public data value it creates, Jurisdiction Watch makes it possible for Civic-Host to offer real, professional civic infrastructure at no cost — while building the most complete, accurate picture of local governance conditions available anywhere.
Public records are never paywalled. Your community's records stay free for anyone to read, always.
No lock-in. Townships are never locked into a contract. There is nothing to cancel because there is nothing you signed.
Opt out anytime. Any community can turn off optional features — Community Resources modules or sponsor-related content — at any time, with no friction.
Still have a question about the data model? Ask it directly — a real person reads every message.