GADD launches new version of its website

A new version of the Gateway Area Development District (GADD) website, gwadd.org, is now live. This marks the first full redesign of the site since 2017 and is intended to make it easier than ever for you to find the content and information you need, according to a release. 

The new homepage has been redesigned to highlight the good work GADD does to support the region, including convening local leaders, providing technical assistance, coordinating multi-county projects and delivering regional services for seniors, individuals with disabilities, job seekers, and community development. That includes current news stories, newly released studies and plans and a sampling of events and projects taking place across the five-county region. This content will be updated regularly. Also featured on the homepage are a calendar of upcoming events, such as board meetings, committee meetings and holiday closures, and quick access to several of the organization’s core programs. 

As part of the redesign, GADD is introducing a new left-anchored navigation menu with recategorized topics to help users move through the site more efficiently. The updated navigation now includes direct access to Senior Centers and Workforce services, a program that has grown exponentially in recent years, and another for which the organization began providing direct services in 2023. 

New to the website are the Library and Newsroom pages. The Library allows users to search for documents such as plans, policies, and applications in one centralized location, eliminating the need to search through multiple webpages. This feature serves as a valuable resource for both external and internal users. The Newsroom provides a central focal point for all GADD media releases, including related photos and links. 

Creators took a mobile-first design approach. All pages are fully responsive and optimized for use on any device. While the layout and menus may appear different on mobile phones or tablets, the functionality remains consistent across all platforms, a release said. 

“This website redesign is an important step forward for Gateway Area Development District and the communities we serve,” said Mayor Al Botts, Immediate Past Chairman of the GADD Board of Directors, who helped oversee the project. “The new gwadd.org makes it easier for citizens, partners, and local leaders to find timely information, access our programs, and stay connected to the work happening across our five-county region. It reflects our commitment to transparency, accessibility and effective regional collaboration.”