The city's Economic Development Department is spending a half a million dollars to tell the business world that Virginia Beach is special.
The city is weeks away from launching a $480,000 marketing campaign, complete with a new Web site - www.yesvirginiabeach.com - that aims to lure more companies to Virginia's most populous city.
The effort started last year and is described by city leaders as a necessary tool to attract new firms. Its debut coincides with the start of the city's budget season, a time when rankled citizens frequently complain that only 13 percent of the city's tax base is commercial.
The campaign - "What's so special about Virginia Beach?" - was crafted and packaged by Otto Creative Marketing of Norfolk. It stems from City Council comments made last summer asking that economic development efforts wrap in the city's quality of life as a marketing tool. Read more here.
Saturday, April 07, 2007
Monday, April 02, 2007
NE Ohio Region Joins Together Around Action Plan
The organization that led a three-year effort to improve the quality of life and economic climate in a 16-county region has embarked upon a second phase: Advance Northeast Ohio, an agenda that will turn words into action.
Rob Briggs, chairman of the Fund for Our Economic Future, announced the initiative to about 300 government, business and community leaders, including several from Wayne County, at Friday's launch of the campaign at the John S. Knight Center.
The agenda is an outgrowth of Voices & Choices, a program that received input from more than 20,000 residents throughout the region. After hearing what needs to be done, a strategic, economic action plan has been put in place. Read more about it here.
Rob Briggs, chairman of the Fund for Our Economic Future, announced the initiative to about 300 government, business and community leaders, including several from Wayne County, at Friday's launch of the campaign at the John S. Knight Center.
The agenda is an outgrowth of Voices & Choices, a program that received input from more than 20,000 residents throughout the region. After hearing what needs to be done, a strategic, economic action plan has been put in place. Read more about it here.
Linking Economic Futures to Student Performance
Imagine a state where they embrace the concept that the state's economic development strategy must be at the foundation of all educational initiatives directed at workforce training. Or that its economic development plan for the near future and long-term delineates the job opportunities its residents can look forward to today and in the future, with educational curriculums starting in grammar school through high school that embed this economic strategy in their makeup.
Imagine further that the state's policy makers feel strongly that its education system's primary purpose is to prepare its youth to become productive economic participants. Conceive if you can, that communication between the Department of Economic Development and the Department of Education works hand in hand so residents can see maximum efficiency and effectiveness from their educational investment and the economic results that come from it.
Such a future is imagined in Vermont, where its Next Generation Commission issued its report in December on educating Vermont's youth to meet the needs of the economic future of the state. The commission noted that such improvement in this collaboration is possible, and need not cost money, but rather simply require a mutual recognition by each department of the importance to prioritize this cooperation. Read more about the simple, yet bold study recommendations here.
Imagine further that the state's policy makers feel strongly that its education system's primary purpose is to prepare its youth to become productive economic participants. Conceive if you can, that communication between the Department of Economic Development and the Department of Education works hand in hand so residents can see maximum efficiency and effectiveness from their educational investment and the economic results that come from it.
Such a future is imagined in Vermont, where its Next Generation Commission issued its report in December on educating Vermont's youth to meet the needs of the economic future of the state. The commission noted that such improvement in this collaboration is possible, and need not cost money, but rather simply require a mutual recognition by each department of the importance to prioritize this cooperation. Read more about the simple, yet bold study recommendations here.
Is Your EDO An Employment Agency?
Is it an appropriate role for the local economic development organization to act as an employment agency? Workforce shortages are causing some groups to undertake some extreme - and misguided - measures. Read about one here.
Others are taking a more long-term approach. Read about this unique partnership between an Idaho EDO and their local college here.
Others are taking a more long-term approach. Read about this unique partnership between an Idaho EDO and their local college here.
Census Bureau Online Tools Can Aid Economic Development
The US Census Bueau has several useful new tools available to economic developers. The program - called Local Employment Dynamics (LED) - is a partnership between state labor market information agencies and the Census Bureau. It fills critical data gaps in workforce statistics at the state, county, metro and workforce investment area levels.
The LED tools can help decision-makers understand current workforce conditions and plan economic development. You can read more about it here or go directly to the site here.
The LED tools can help decision-makers understand current workforce conditions and plan economic development. You can read more about it here or go directly to the site here.
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Call off the Funeral, the Press Release Is Alive and Well
According to surveys of corporate executives, public relations has proven to be one of the most effective marketing tools available to economic development professionals. Read how this tool is still a valuable one to incorporate in your marketing efforts.
by Christopher Parente
The press release is certainly not dead, as some PR people may have you believe. Yes, it's been loaded up with jargon. Weighed down with buzzwords. Scrubbed clean of any meaningful executive quotes.
But, in spite of it all, the press release can provide more value and is read by more people than ever before.
Get the full story.
by Christopher Parente
The press release is certainly not dead, as some PR people may have you believe. Yes, it's been loaded up with jargon. Weighed down with buzzwords. Scrubbed clean of any meaningful executive quotes.
But, in spite of it all, the press release can provide more value and is read by more people than ever before.
Get the full story.
Monday, March 19, 2007
Campaign takes 'pure, simple' approach to selling Longview
Pure and simple — words that best describe Longview and the people who live here — will form the centerpiece of a new city branding and marketing campaign that was officially launched Thursday.
The new logo, "Longview, East Texas, Pure and Simple," is the result of a nine-month study conducted by North Star Destination Strategies, a Tennessee-based company hired to develop a marketing campaign that will attract people, culture and industry to the city.
The city's new logo — the result of a $90,000 branding study — will be used to reflect the attitude of the town and its residents.
Kelly Hall, president of Longview Partnership, described the new brand as "very usable and a good reflection of the city.
"The look and the style is so crisp and fresh and fun. It is who we are," she said.
At a cost of $90,000, the branding campaign is a joint venture between the city of Longview, Longview Partnership and Longview Economic Development Corp. Each entity invested $30,000 to fund the campaign, Hall said.
"East Texas, Pure and Simple" is meant to be a catchy phrase the city and visitors will come to associate with Longview. Read more.
View a Powerpoint presentation here.
Read an editorial here.
Oops, seems the brand is not unique. Here's a follow-up story.
And another editorial commenting on the flap is here.
The sponsoring organizations respond here.
Which prompts another editorial.
Which prompts another response, this one from the ED organization.
The new logo, "Longview, East Texas, Pure and Simple," is the result of a nine-month study conducted by North Star Destination Strategies, a Tennessee-based company hired to develop a marketing campaign that will attract people, culture and industry to the city.
The city's new logo — the result of a $90,000 branding study — will be used to reflect the attitude of the town and its residents.
Kelly Hall, president of Longview Partnership, described the new brand as "very usable and a good reflection of the city.
"The look and the style is so crisp and fresh and fun. It is who we are," she said.
At a cost of $90,000, the branding campaign is a joint venture between the city of Longview, Longview Partnership and Longview Economic Development Corp. Each entity invested $30,000 to fund the campaign, Hall said.
"East Texas, Pure and Simple" is meant to be a catchy phrase the city and visitors will come to associate with Longview. Read more.
View a Powerpoint presentation here.
Read an editorial here.
Oops, seems the brand is not unique. Here's a follow-up story.
And another editorial commenting on the flap is here.
The sponsoring organizations respond here.
Which prompts another editorial.
Which prompts another response, this one from the ED organization.
Saturday, March 17, 2007
Groups join to launch regional marketing effort
SYRACUSE — A group of more than 50 area companies, nonprofit groups, municipalities, and academic institutions have joined to begin a regional marketing effort.
Those involved are hopeful it will communicate the region’s key strengths and competitive advantages. The Central Upstate Regional Alliance is spearheading the initiative, which has as its slogan “New York’s Creative Core. Real. Smart. Easy.”
The alliance formed in 2004 to promote regional cooperation and work on issues outlined in the Essential New York Initiative Report, a report identifying strategies for economic development and improvement in the 12-county area. The alliance’s geographic area encompasses Cayuga, Cortland, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga, Oswego, St. Lawrence, Seneca, and Tompkins counties.
“We think [Creative Core] is important because the region is the economic unit in the economic-development market today,” says Marilyn Higgins, vice president of economic development for National Grid in Syracuse and a co-chairwoman of the branding effort with Linda Dickerson Hartsock, executive director of the Cortland County Business Development Association and Industrial Development Agency. “Counties, cities, etcetera are too small to be seen and heard in the marketplace by site selectors and people who are looking to make investments.” More here.
Those involved are hopeful it will communicate the region’s key strengths and competitive advantages. The Central Upstate Regional Alliance is spearheading the initiative, which has as its slogan “New York’s Creative Core. Real. Smart. Easy.”
The alliance formed in 2004 to promote regional cooperation and work on issues outlined in the Essential New York Initiative Report, a report identifying strategies for economic development and improvement in the 12-county area. The alliance’s geographic area encompasses Cayuga, Cortland, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga, Oswego, St. Lawrence, Seneca, and Tompkins counties.
“We think [Creative Core] is important because the region is the economic unit in the economic-development market today,” says Marilyn Higgins, vice president of economic development for National Grid in Syracuse and a co-chairwoman of the branding effort with Linda Dickerson Hartsock, executive director of the Cortland County Business Development Association and Industrial Development Agency. “Counties, cities, etcetera are too small to be seen and heard in the marketplace by site selectors and people who are looking to make investments.” More here.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Plan for county growth focuses on arts, tourism
A two-year, $1 million study released by the Berkshire Economic Development Corp. pushes for more development.
PITTSFIELD — Once dependent on factory work to support its economic base, Berkshire County is looking for a new way to survive, and it's going to take more than museums and ski resorts to bolster the economy, a new countywide strategic plan reports.
Unveiled Friday at The Colonial theater by business and community leaders, the Berkshire Blueprint focuses on capitalizing on the county's untapped artistic resources, investing in education and better marketing of the region both to tourists and businesses.
"This is not a plan for one organization or one company," said Tyler Fairbank, president of the Berkshire Economic Development Corp., which oversaw the creation of the blueprint. "This is a plan for the county — a road map for success. There is no silver bullet, no one elixir. What we offer is silver birdshot, not as a solution but as a beginning. Read more.
PITTSFIELD — Once dependent on factory work to support its economic base, Berkshire County is looking for a new way to survive, and it's going to take more than museums and ski resorts to bolster the economy, a new countywide strategic plan reports.
Unveiled Friday at The Colonial theater by business and community leaders, the Berkshire Blueprint focuses on capitalizing on the county's untapped artistic resources, investing in education and better marketing of the region both to tourists and businesses.
"This is not a plan for one organization or one company," said Tyler Fairbank, president of the Berkshire Economic Development Corp., which oversaw the creation of the blueprint. "This is a plan for the county — a road map for success. There is no silver bullet, no one elixir. What we offer is silver birdshot, not as a solution but as a beginning. Read more.
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Rival states consider economic teamwork
Here's an encouraging sign ....
Each year in November, teams from two bordering states trade bone-jarring tackles, touchdowns, and insults on a single Saturday afternoon.What if on the other 364 days of the year, those two rival states were friends instead of enemies, partners instead of competitors?
Ohio and Michigan are nationally known for their adversarial relationship on the college football field as well as for their sagging state economies.What if the Buckeye state and the Wolverine state played for the same team? Not in shoulder pads, but sporting business suits, hard hats, or lab coats?
What if this partnership were created in our own backyard, a joint economic development zone that could encompass northern portions of Toledo and southeastern Michigan and was supported by Toledo utilities? More here.
Each year in November, teams from two bordering states trade bone-jarring tackles, touchdowns, and insults on a single Saturday afternoon.What if on the other 364 days of the year, those two rival states were friends instead of enemies, partners instead of competitors?
Ohio and Michigan are nationally known for their adversarial relationship on the college football field as well as for their sagging state economies.What if the Buckeye state and the Wolverine state played for the same team? Not in shoulder pads, but sporting business suits, hard hats, or lab coats?
What if this partnership were created in our own backyard, a joint economic development zone that could encompass northern portions of Toledo and southeastern Michigan and was supported by Toledo utilities? More here.
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