Written by SheboyganDaily.com Staff on September 26, 2012.
MADISON — The Wisconsin Economic Development
Corporation (WEDC) Wednesday unveiled its marketing initiative to brand
Wisconsin’s business climate and promote the benefits of starting,
expanding or locating a business in Wisconsin.
An integrated marketing campaign introducing the “In Wisconsin” brand
launches next week in key business-focused media featuring five
world-class Wisconsin companies that have set standards in their
industries through innovation and leadership. More here.
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Economic development agency moves with high aspirations
By Thomas Bailey Jr.
The president of the Memphis & Shelby County Economic Development Growth Engine (EDGE) grunts slightly — "Uhh" — on this Friday afternoon as he lifts yet another box from the floor to his new desk.
Reid Dulberger opens the boxes, labeled "Reid's," and pulls out all kinds of office and desk stuff, including stacks of business cards, a hair brush, a framed photo of his son, years' worth of minutes from old industrial development board meetings, and the framed certificate declaring Dulberger is a certified economic developer.
It's moving day for the fledgling five-person EDGE staff, who have finally left temporary office space donated by Boyle Investment Co. in East Memphis.
EDGE opens for business Monday morning on the edge: The south side of Downtown's core, high-rise buildings. More here.
The president of the Memphis & Shelby County Economic Development Growth Engine (EDGE) grunts slightly — "Uhh" — on this Friday afternoon as he lifts yet another box from the floor to his new desk.
Reid Dulberger opens the boxes, labeled "Reid's," and pulls out all kinds of office and desk stuff, including stacks of business cards, a hair brush, a framed photo of his son, years' worth of minutes from old industrial development board meetings, and the framed certificate declaring Dulberger is a certified economic developer.
It's moving day for the fledgling five-person EDGE staff, who have finally left temporary office space donated by Boyle Investment Co. in East Memphis.
EDGE opens for business Monday morning on the edge: The south side of Downtown's core, high-rise buildings. More here.
Monday, September 24, 2012
Building a Community Brand
This article from IEDC covers the basic elements of building a brand: from who to target, with what message, establishing your order of priorities, and a few keys to budgeting and measurement. The authors provide economic development professionals with the initial tools needed to identify their community’s unique advantage and the best alternative to achieving the community brand they desire. Article here.
Saturday, September 22, 2012
St. Johns County starts to market itself overseas
Jacksonville Business Journal by Christian Conte, Reporter
JACKSONVILLE — Officials in St. Johns County intend to start marketing the county to foreign companies looking for a U.S. East Coast hub.The St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce is developing a new group, called the Economic Development Council International Delegation, that will target small to medium foreign companies in countries in Europe, Central America and South America and also in Canada, and in certain industries such as light industrial, manufacturing, information technology and financial services, said Norm Gregory, vice president of economic development. More here.
Chamber leaders not surprised by competitiveness study
by
Greater Rome economic development officials have their work cut out for them, according to a competitive assessment of the community by consultants from Market Street Services.
“Greater Rome has a number of complex challenges to conquer to realize its vision,” reads the report, which is available in full at www.romega.com/2020/project_downloads.html.
The competitive assessment offers a detailed analysis of the state of Greater Rome’s competitive position, regional economy, demographic and socioeconomic dynamics, talent base and quality of life for residents and visitors.
Greater Rome economic development officials have their work cut out for them, according to a competitive assessment of the community by consultants from Market Street Services.
“Greater Rome has a number of complex challenges to conquer to realize its vision,” reads the report, which is available in full at www.romega.com/2020/project_downloads.html.
The competitive assessment offers a detailed analysis of the state of Greater Rome’s competitive position, regional economy, demographic and socioeconomic dynamics, talent base and quality of life for residents and visitors.
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Bangor seeks to market its brand
By Andrew Neff, BDN Staff
BANGOR, Maine — Bangor is no Fortune 500 company, and Tanya Pereira is no Bill Gates, but Bangor’s business development specialist is borrowing philosophies and strategies from both in her quest to elevate Bangor’s visibility.
The first sentence in Pereira’s 2012 economic development marketing plan for the city, which she presented to the Bangor City Council’s business and economic development committee Tuesday afternoon, illustrates her approach.
“Economic development marketing in the city of Bangor is overdue for updating and refreshing,” she wrote.
The six-page synopsis uses many words and phrases familiar in corporate America — such as “comprehensive marketing, entrepreneurs, product improvement, brand” — and refers to Bangor as “the product.”
The effort, which has been under way for several months, is being made to elevate Bangor’s visibility statewide and beyond, but also to re-create a brand for the city. More here.
BANGOR, Maine — Bangor is no Fortune 500 company, and Tanya Pereira is no Bill Gates, but Bangor’s business development specialist is borrowing philosophies and strategies from both in her quest to elevate Bangor’s visibility.
The first sentence in Pereira’s 2012 economic development marketing plan for the city, which she presented to the Bangor City Council’s business and economic development committee Tuesday afternoon, illustrates her approach.
“Economic development marketing in the city of Bangor is overdue for updating and refreshing,” she wrote.
The six-page synopsis uses many words and phrases familiar in corporate America — such as “comprehensive marketing, entrepreneurs, product improvement, brand” — and refers to Bangor as “the product.”
The effort, which has been under way for several months, is being made to elevate Bangor’s visibility statewide and beyond, but also to re-create a brand for the city. More here.
Monday, September 17, 2012
Chamber officials scouting Airbus suppliers, success stories at Berlin air show
BERLIN, Germany - Troy Wayman knew Mobile had truly arrived at the ILA Berlin Air Show when a random German aerospace vendor made the instantaneous connection between the port city and her ambassador's trek halfway around the world.
Wayman, vice president of economic development for the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce, said when he and the chamber's economic development director, Claudia Zimmermann, told the man they were from Mobile, he instantly smiled and said, "Ah, Airbus. You have a lot of nice things happening. It must be great."
What's great, Wayman told the Press-Register by phone Wednesday, is that the international business community is already associating Airbus with Mobile. The European planemaker unveiled plans July 2 to construct a $600 million aircraft assembly plant at Brookley Aeroplex that's expected to create more than 3,000 direct and indirect jobs when the first planes are delivered in 2016. More here.
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Whitley County creates marketing campaign to draw in medical packaging business
In the hope of bringing in more medical packaging companies into
the northeast Indiana area, the Whitley County Economic Development
Corporation (EDC) recently announced that it has developed a marketing
campaign to bolster business growth.
The EDC is working with the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership (NEIRP), and the initiative includes many outreach methods to attract medical packaging firms and encourage them to establish facilities in the area. Officials for both the EDC and NEIRP say these businesses could provide many benefits for the region, but they can also take advantage of the resources that the northeastern part of the state offers. Medical packaging companies could save time and money by moving to Whitley County and the surrounding communities.
"The Northeast Indiana region is gaining attention on a national scale for its efforts to strengthen the business climate of the region through collaboration," said John Sampson, NEIRP president and CEO. "The addition of packaging operations to an already robust medical device sector would help to complete the total package offering that the region can provide for companies across the United States and beyond."
The EDC is working with the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership (NEIRP), and the initiative includes many outreach methods to attract medical packaging firms and encourage them to establish facilities in the area. Officials for both the EDC and NEIRP say these businesses could provide many benefits for the region, but they can also take advantage of the resources that the northeastern part of the state offers. Medical packaging companies could save time and money by moving to Whitley County and the surrounding communities.
"The Northeast Indiana region is gaining attention on a national scale for its efforts to strengthen the business climate of the region through collaboration," said John Sampson, NEIRP president and CEO. "The addition of packaging operations to an already robust medical device sector would help to complete the total package offering that the region can provide for companies across the United States and beyond."
EDC plan focuses on three R's of economic development
By
Carlton Fletcher
(974)
The
Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission is venturing into
uncharted waters in its attempt to get back to the basics of job
creation and industry retention and expansion in the area.
And
in doing so, EDC officials plan to utilize the tried and true "three
R's" of economic development: recruitment, retention and renewal.
"It's
just like in eduction, they rely on their three R's: reading, 'riting
and 'rithmatic," EDC Executive Director Ted Clem said. "As we've worked
to put together a strategic plan, we've kept the three R's of economic
development in mind in a back-to-basics approach. More here.
Calgary targeting Ireland and Scotland for potential workers
CALGARY — Calgary Economic Development is reaching
out to Ireland and Scotland to attract potential workers to the city,
the Herald has learned.
Mary Moran, vice-president of marketing and communications for CED, said the organization for the first time will be launching its Be Part of the Energy campaign internationally in the fall.
“Where we’re spending most of our attention and effort is around our Ireland and Scotland people attraction mission which includes job fairs. We’re in the recruitment process right now of getting companies on board,” said Moran.
“Our strategy is to have an own-the-market approach,” said Moran. “So we’ve been working with people in Ireland for quite some time to get Calgary better exposure than some of the other jurisdictions that are going.” More here.
Mary Moran, vice-president of marketing and communications for CED, said the organization for the first time will be launching its Be Part of the Energy campaign internationally in the fall.
“Where we’re spending most of our attention and effort is around our Ireland and Scotland people attraction mission which includes job fairs. We’re in the recruitment process right now of getting companies on board,” said Moran.
“Our strategy is to have an own-the-market approach,” said Moran. “So we’ve been working with people in Ireland for quite some time to get Calgary better exposure than some of the other jurisdictions that are going.” More here.
Saturday, September 15, 2012
Cities Have Long Been Skeptical of Economic Development Spending
The more things change, the more they stay the same. Read about it here.
For $50,000, Flagler County Hires Marketing Firm
The Flagler County (FL) Commission has approved a $50,000 contract
with Orlando-based Solodev, a marketing and web-design firm that pledges
to launch the county’s revamped economic development website by January
2013.
The county created a $450,000-a-year economic development department last year and hired its executive director–Helga van Eckert, formerly of Perth Amboy, N.J.–in January, with a nine-member advisory council, to bring jobs to the county. More here.
The county created a $450,000-a-year economic development department last year and hired its executive director–Helga van Eckert, formerly of Perth Amboy, N.J.–in January, with a nine-member advisory council, to bring jobs to the county. More here.
Pollina Corporate Top 10 Pro-Business States
The latest Pollina Corporate Top 10 Pro-Business States study, now in its ninth year,was released last month. Here's the Top Ten:
More here.
2012 Top 10 Pro Business Rankings
| 1 | Utah | 6 | Nebraska |
| 2 | Virginia | 7 | South Dakota |
| 3 | Wyoming | 8 | Kansas |
| 4 | North Dakota | 9 | Missouri |
| 5 | Indiana | 10 | Oklahoma |
More here.
As we see it, Council should be certain about marketing firm hire
There are some useful questions place marketers should be prepared to answer when presenting marketing plans to the public. - Ed.
Hudson City Council members are divided over whether the city
should invest $254,000 over three years in a marketing firm to brand and
promote the city. We side with the members who have expressed
reservations about the investment.
The city's economic development department, led by Economic Development Director Chuck Wiedie, has already proven itself capable by streamlining the city's approval process to make it more welcoming for developers. It would seem the next logical project for this department would be to brand and promote the city to interested businesses.
If the city is willing to give an outside marketing firm three years on this project, couldn't it show the same amount of patience with its own department, which is responsible for engaging existing businesses and welcoming new ones?
Would a marketing firm do that much better than city staff? How soon would the city see a return on the investment? If the city is able to attract businesses, how much could be credited to the marketing firm and how much to the recent efforts of the city and volunteers in the community? Council recently put off roadwork in part because of financial concerns. Would taxpayers consider hiring a marketing firm a greater investment than fixing roads?
As we see it, Council should be confident that all the questions related to hiring a marketing firm are fully answered before making a three-year, $254,000 commitment.
The city's economic development department, led by Economic Development Director Chuck Wiedie, has already proven itself capable by streamlining the city's approval process to make it more welcoming for developers. It would seem the next logical project for this department would be to brand and promote the city to interested businesses.
If the city is willing to give an outside marketing firm three years on this project, couldn't it show the same amount of patience with its own department, which is responsible for engaging existing businesses and welcoming new ones?
Would a marketing firm do that much better than city staff? How soon would the city see a return on the investment? If the city is able to attract businesses, how much could be credited to the marketing firm and how much to the recent efforts of the city and volunteers in the community? Council recently put off roadwork in part because of financial concerns. Would taxpayers consider hiring a marketing firm a greater investment than fixing roads?
As we see it, Council should be confident that all the questions related to hiring a marketing firm are fully answered before making a three-year, $254,000 commitment.
Rival host cities of RNC, DNC vie for economic Holy Grail: more jobs
By Robert Trigaux, Times Business Columnist
Tampa Bay and Charlotte often become archrivals when businesses are looking to relocate, expand and — today's Economic Holy Grail — bring new jobs to employment-hungry cities.
The two southeastern metro areas are also the 2012 host cities for national political conventions. After a blustery start, Tampa just rolled out the red carpet for this week's Republican National Convention. Charlotte's home to the Democratic National Convention, which begins next week.
Business and economic development leaders in both cities are pursuing aggressive plans to capture the attention of some of the tens of thousands of attendees, many of them influential business executives. The common goal: to present host cities in a favorable and dynamic light in hopes of recruiting (or at least acquainting) new business considering expansion.
Tampa Bay versus Charlotte: Who has the smarter economic development strategy? What can each learn from the other? More here.
Tampa Bay and Charlotte often become archrivals when businesses are looking to relocate, expand and — today's Economic Holy Grail — bring new jobs to employment-hungry cities.
The two southeastern metro areas are also the 2012 host cities for national political conventions. After a blustery start, Tampa just rolled out the red carpet for this week's Republican National Convention. Charlotte's home to the Democratic National Convention, which begins next week.
Business and economic development leaders in both cities are pursuing aggressive plans to capture the attention of some of the tens of thousands of attendees, many of them influential business executives. The common goal: to present host cities in a favorable and dynamic light in hopes of recruiting (or at least acquainting) new business considering expansion.
Tampa Bay versus Charlotte: Who has the smarter economic development strategy? What can each learn from the other? More here.
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Council questions marketing, economic development budgets
Here's an interesting twist-Pensacola outsources marketing to a private PR firm for $1.2 million annually. More here.
Longmont to target Northern California companies
The Longmont Area Economic Council is launching a new direct marketing campaign to get company executives in Northern California to think about Longmont when it's time for them to expand or relocate.
The LAEC's board of directors got its first look Monday at a draft of the campaign's first email, which is expected to be sent out this month. The emails will be sent to 11,000 contacts at 1,600 companies in Northern California in targeted industries the LAEC wants to pursue.
"The primary goal of this email campaign is to introduce Longmont to these companies," said Ryan Schaul, managing partner with Colorado Springs-based Cukjati Design, a brand development and marketing firm hired by the LAEC. Pronounced "shoe-cotti," the firm is the same one used by the Colorado Springs Regional Economic Development Corp., which has used direct email marketing for several years. More here.
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