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<br />Public Relations <br />Strengths: <br />• If done well public relations and marketing efforts can improve image of <br />the community <br />• The City has a full-time Economic Development Coordinator with many <br />valuable local contacts <br />• Funding can be provided through EDA and TIF funding sources <br />Issues: <br />• If efforts are not consistent or sustained it is a waste of money <br />• Effective marketing efforts can be expensive <br />• Expenditures related to image building, public relations and/or marketing <br />are often criticized as being a waste of tax dollars (i.e., not part of the core <br />mission of a City) <br /> Opportunities: <br />• City can implement public relations efforts along with improvements to <br />Highway 10 corridor (e.g., entry signs, new logo, lamp post design, <br />banners, rename roadway) <br />• New street signs can be placed with street reconstruction projects <br />• EDA funding could support many of these efforts <br />• The City has potential partners in the business community through the <br />Chamber of Commerce and the Convention and Visitors Bureau <br />• The City could benefit by more active participation in local civic groups <br />(e.g., Rotary Club) and regional policy groups (e.g., the Association of <br />Metropolitan Municipalities) <br />• Continue and expand upon a successful 2005 town meeting and <br />community survey <br /> Barriers: <br />• Public support of such efforts needs to be garnered <br />• Clear strategic direction needs to be established for City <br />• Long-term implementation and funding strategy needs to be developed <br />Action Strategies: <br />• Proceed with Highway 10 corridor implementation with an eye toward <br />design improvements (e.g., entry signs, new logo, lamp post design, <br />banners, rename roadway) <br />• Install new street signs along with street reconstruction projects and <br />develop a plan for replacing signs in areas that will not be replaced in the <br />next 5 years <br />• Explore option of using EDA funding to support these efforts <br />• Work with Chamber of Commerce and the Convention and Visitors <br />Bureau to consider local (i.e., on the City level) promotion investments <br />• Provide budget allocations to have staff join the local Rotary Club and the <br />Association of Metropolitan Municipalities <br />• Continue and expand the town meeting in 2006 and budget for a <br />community survey every several years