DENISON, TX - The city of Denison now has a personalized website to call it's own. Last night the city launched an all new interactive site that looks better, performs better, and offers much more for the community.

"Your first look at it is not going to be just your generic government website," said Donna Dow, Denison Main St. Director. "It's interesting to look at and got a lot of great information on it."

For many years Denison has operated with a standard issue government website. But last May the city decided it was time to step up it's game.

"Technology changes so quickly," said Dow, "and so it was just time for a change."

Dow says the new website www.cityofdenison.com offers a multitude of information and interaction. It has tourist information, a calendar of events, red alert email and cell phone notification sign up, building permit applications, and it will eventually offer online ticket and bill pay.

"it's just to be a better service to our citizens," Dow said.

Right now you have to physically go to the water department office to pay your bill or sign up for automatic bill pay. But come July, a few clicks of the mouse and your paid in full.

"Denison has a lot to offer and it needs to be put out there," said Jay Connelly, Main Street Mall, "and I think this new website will help a bunch."

Connelly's excited about the opportunities and exposure the new website will give local businesses.

"I think for the businesses downtown it's really going to help us also by knowing the events that are coming up, letting people know what's going on downtown, what's going on in our city," Connelly said.

Dow and a small group of city employees were responsible for getting the site ready to launch. And now that it has, she says all the hard work and extra hours were well worth it.

"well I'm excited about it because I know how much hard work went in to it," Dow said. "So, it's nice when you see that come to fruition and see the results from it."