When Every Voice is Heard: How Local Governments Are Making Communication Cost-Effective

Delivering Efficient Service for Every Resident

Across the country, city and state officials are finding smarter, more sustainable ways to serve their communities. From Michigan to Massachusetts, Illinois to California, local governments are turning to Pocketalk to make multilingual communication not only more inclusive, but more efficient and affordable.

When the Michigan Secretary of State’s office introduced Pocketalk devices to its branch offices, it represented a shift toward more cost-effective public service. “Since I first took office in 2019, I have made it the mission of this department to meet people where they are and make state government work for them,” said Secretary Jocelyn Benson. “It is our responsibility to provide excellent, efficient service to every Michigan resident regardless of what language they speak.”

Improving Access While Reducing Costs

The results in Michigan show how practical investments in technology can lead to measurable savings. More than 98 percent of branch offices now use Pocketalk for immediate, secure communication in over 92 languages. Staff members describe the technology as a “game-changer” that reduces wait times and streamlines service delivery. “You can see our customers’ anxiety melt away when they realize that we can communicate with them in their language,” said one branch manager.

In less than one year, the Michigan Secretary of State’s offices completed more than 279,000 translations without the need for costly, on-demand interpretation services. What once required scheduling interpreters or paying per-minute translation fees can now be handled instantly and privately, helping departments allocate budgets more strategically while still delivering high-quality service.

A Smarter Approach Across Cities

Michigan is one example of a growing national movement to make government communication more efficient and accessible. In Newburyport, Massachusetts, city employees are using Pocketalk to connect with multilingual residents without relying on expensive interpretation services. Cook County, Illinois, has brought Pocketalk into the Clerk’s Office to help staff better serve Chicago’s diverse communities while keeping operational costs under control. In Citrus Heights, California, school leaders have introduced Pocketalk to strengthen relationships between educators and families who speak different languages, saving time and resources that can be redirected to classrooms.

Together, these efforts reflect a shift toward scalable, sustainable solutions. Across cities and states, leaders are proving that inclusive communication and fiscal responsibility can go hand in hand. When technology simplifies translation, services improve for residents and efficiency improves for staff.

The Power of Understanding

For local leaders, adopting Pocketalk is both a financial and human decision. “We all deserve to have information that we can understand, so that we can better engage in our cities and in our state,” said Ray Lozano, executive director of the Mexicantown Community Development Corporation. Clear communication reduces costly delays, errors, and misunderstandings — all while helping agencies better meet community needs.

Pocketalk’s technology is designed to make translation fast, accurate, and secure, ensuring that agencies can communicate confidently while staying within budget. By combining enterprise-level security with an easy-to-use platform, Pocketalk allows public servants to focus on what matters most: serving their communities efficiently and equitably.

Celebrating Leadership and Innovation

Across the country, these leaders are demonstrating what’s possible when communication is both inclusive and cost-effective. Their work is transforming how public service operates, proving that investing in smart translation technology is not just a step toward equity but a sound financial decision. By prioritizing efficiency and understanding, they are setting a new standard for how governments engage with their communities.

Pocketalk is proud to partner with these agencies as they lead by example, helping public institutions modernize how they serve residents. Together, they are showing that clear communication doesn’t have to come at a high cost, and that when every voice can be heard, entire communities benefit.