Ideas from the hearts and minds of residents are being sought for the project destined to bring businesses, jobs, tourists, families and investments to Manistee County.
The “Brand Manistee County” leadership team, in partnership with the consulting firm North Star Destination Strategies, is inviting input through a survey to help define the County’s strengths, weaknesses, challenges and opportunities. Until October 4, 2009, surveys can be completed online by following the survey link below:
Manistee County Community Survey
Survey forms are also available at:
- Manistee City Hall
- Manistee County Building at 415 3rd Street
- Manistee Convention and Visitor’s Bureau
- Manistee Area Chamber of Commerce
- All Manistee County township offices
- Other select Manistee County locations
“We have worked with over 100 other communities to develop brands and brand marketing programs and I can’t over-emphasize the importance of insights provided by community residents,” said Don McEachern of North Star Destination Strategies. “To learn what makes a county special, you have to go to the people who spend their lives there.”
McEachern says that they expect to have the first stage of the branding project completed by February 2010 include brand options and a recommended brand along with a plan for rolling out the brand to support economic and community development and tourism promotion goals.
Members of the Brand Manistee County Leadership Team are: Judy Ball, Executive Director, Manistee County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau; Amy Berry, Communications Manager, Mariah Power; Jim Draze, Chair, Kaleva Planning Commission; Cathy Fairbanks, Executive Assistant, Alliance for Economic Success; Cyndy Fuller, Mayor, City of Manistee; Laura Heintzelman, Executive Director, Manistee County Community Foundation; Ray Schmidt, owner/operator of Schmidt Outfitters in Wellston; and Amy Wojciechowski, Business Division Director, West Shore Community College. Tim Ervin, Alliance for Economic Success, is facilitating the project.