Arizona Startup Sparks Nationwide Initiative to Empower Local Communities

By Jonathan Eberle |

An innovative Arizona startup has launched a digital platform designed to strengthen neighborhood connections. ConnectNeighbors.com, founded by Air Force veteran John Backer, aims to foster community engagement rather than focus solely on a global audience.

With over 5,000 hyperlocal websites already active across all 50 states, the platform has garnered significant attention, achieving more than 2 million page views. Each site is specifically tailored to its community, providing essential information such as event calendars, garage sale listings, real estate updates, and neighborhood watch alerts.

Backer stated, “We built ConnectNeighbors.com to create stronger, better-informed neighborhoods. It’s a modern front porch—a space for sharing and building community pride.” Unlike mainstream social media, the focus here is on sharing relevant local content.

What sets ConnectNeighbors.com apart is its unique sponsorship model. Local Realtors sponsor and manage their neighborhood sites, serving as community liaisons. This “attraction marketing” approach enables them to curate content relevant to residents, eliminating the need for traditional advertising or subscription fees.

The response from both Realtors and residents has been overwhelmingly positive. Backer noted, “Realtors love the visibility, and residents appreciate the convenience. Many have told us they’ve never seen anything quite like ConnectNeighbors.com—it’s a win for the whole community.”

Residents can easily find their neighborhood pages. If a specific area isn’t currently represented, users have the option to request its creation. Sponsorship opportunities are limited to one Realtor per site, ensuring exclusivity and focused engagement.

As the digital landscape continues to evolve, ConnectNeighbors.com positions itself as a platform that prioritizes genuine neighbor-to-neighbor interaction, countering the impersonal nature of larger social media networks.