St. Charles Parish residents, businesses and visitors will discover a brand-new, state-of-the-art parish government Web site Jan. 12.

Visitors will be able to view the site at its new address – www.stcharlesparish-la.gov.

The site, designed over the last four months by Vision Internet, of Santa Barbara, Calif., boasts better-organized navigation, a master calendar of parish meetings and events and improved streaming video, news and pictures of community events and government happenings.

“We knew from the beginning that we wanted the new Web site to function as a portal for all things St. Charles Parish-related,” Parish President V.J. St. Pierre said. “This site will prove to be a powerful tool for those already here, and we’re hoping it will help attract residents and business to our great parish.”

The site will also feature improved functionality in doing business with the parish, including online bill payment, feedback forms and updated information for each parish department.

Residents will also be able to sign up for personalized e-mail newsletters depending on their areas of interest. The site’s content management system allows department representatives to update their own sections, keeping information organized and up-to-date.

To celebrate the launch, the St. Charles Parish Public Information Office is sponsoring a picture and story contest, with the winners to be displayed on the new site. Those who submit the best photos and stories of St. Charles Parish and its people and places will be eligible to win valuable prizes from local sponsors Jackie Bee Inc., 90 West Restaurant and Adam and Eve Day Spa.

For more information on the contest, visit www.stcharlesparish-la.gov/websitecontest beginning Jan. 12.

The mission of St. Charles Parish government is to provide high quality, efficient services to sustain and enhance the quality of life for all residents of St. Charles Parish.