EDSR INFORMATION 10-10-2011 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Branding helps cities attract, retain businesses ~ Hometown Source Page 2 of 6 On the other hand, they found satisfied residents who liked the outdoors where two rivers, the Mississippi and the Elk, come together, the parks, the downtown and the location near the Twin Cities. They came up with the theme: "Elk River -Powered by Nature," but quickly acknowledged the "Energy City" component and said the theme also could fit "Elk River -Energized by Nature." To its credit, the company had many good suggestions on how the theme could be incorporated, particularly involving the entire community and its businesses in spreading the Elk River gospel. They stressed the need to improve the city's web site, noting that 85 percent of businesses looking to locate or re-locate look at the Internet sites. Forest Lake, backed by a similar study with its EDA, is in the midst of a like process that will hopefully produce a new "brand" for the Washington County community. Some question the need for branding particularly in a natural region like northern Dakota County where people live in one close-by city, work in another and worship in another. They say that it's better to forget competing for industries with neighboring cities and be satisfied to locate in the region a business that will provide employment no matter where people live. Steve Chandler told the Elk River EDA that a community's reputation is "defined by its government, its businesses, its organizations and its residents - or, it will be defined by others." Having a systematic approach to spreading the right message to targeted audiences is one way to attract and keep businesses and build community. -DON HEINZMAN Share: Facebook Tags: brandng_of cities, .Don Heinzman No comments yet. Add your response Email Print & PDF share Name (Required) Mail (will not be published) (Required) Website http://hometownsource.com/2011/09/29/branding-helps-cities-attract-retain-businesses/ 9/30/2011