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INFORMATION <br /> °` REQUEST FOR ACTION <br /> Elk , <br /> River <br /> TO ITEM NUMBER <br /> Economic Development Authority <br /> AGENDA SECTION MEETING DATE PREPARED BY <br /> September 10, 2012 Clay Wilfahrt, Assistant Director of <br /> Economic Development <br /> ITEM DESCRIPTION REVIEWED By <br /> Marketing Update Annie Deckert,Director of Economic <br /> Development <br /> REVIEWED BY <br /> Cal Portner,City Administrator <br /> ACTION REQUESTED <br /> None <br /> BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION <br /> The purpose of this report is to provide an update on the Economic Development Division's marketing <br /> initiatives. <br /> Branding <br /> Numerous initiatives are in motion or have been completed to support the community brand: <br /> • Partnered with the Star News,Sandhill Photography Club,and the Independence Day <br /> Committee to host a photo contest. <br /> • Worked with the Activity Center to hold a Powered by Nature writing contest. <br /> • Filmed 20 promotional video testimonials featuring local businesses. They are available on <br /> www.poweredbynature.blog.com and the economic development Facebook page. <br /> • Met with Prime Advertising to redesign The Current to better reflect the brand. <br /> • The Brand Champions developed the website www.poweredbynature.com as a resource for <br /> those seeking to utilize or gain information about the brand. <br /> • The Powered by Nature brand was featured at the August 9th and 10th International <br /> Economic Development Council Marketing and Attraction Training Class. <br /> Website <br /> Staff is working with Civic Plus to build a new city website. The site is intended to be more user friendly, <br /> have enhanced capabilities including GIS property listings,and will better incorporate the brand message. <br /> The informational architecture is currently under development. The site is planned to go live in early <br /> February of 2013. <br /> Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) <br /> Economic Development Staff made six BRE visits this year including Professional Services Bureau in <br /> September and Cymbet in September. Planned future visits include Guardian Angels,Metal Extrusion <br /> Technologies,and Elk River Machine <br /> Marketing Materials <br /> All Economic Development marketing materials were redesigned,updated,and incorporated the Powered <br /> by Nature brand. The revisions also incorporated several new pieces including one piece promoting <br /> restaurant development. <br /> 11 / E / EB BY <br /> NATURE <br />