Online interactions, collaborations, and user-generated content are increasing at an exponential rate, and the rapid adoption of these Web 2.0 applications is putting an ever increasing pressure on public entities to adapt and adopt. �Governing bodies are exploring the benefits and possibilities of Web 2.0 applications, and are developing strategies for integration into the public process. Previous studies have researched the promising use of these tools in planning and community development departments serving the largest cities in the United States. Relatively little study has been done on the use and incorporation of these tools in planning and community development departments that serve smaller, less densely populated areas; areas that by their remote or sparsely populated nature could benefit greatly from easily accessed information exchange. The purpose of this work is to provide a benchmark study for how online, e-participation tools are currently used within planning and community development departments serving communities of 100,000 in population or less. The research also analyzes the demographic characteristics of the populations served by the departments using e-participation tools to explore developing trends in use. Finally, the study examines current barriers for incorporation of these tools into public processes, and attempts to offer developing and future solutions to these barriers. The goal of this research is to help planning departments serving relatively small populations make informed choices as how to best incorporate web-based, e-participation tools into their public process and daily functions. / Master of Urban and Regional Planning