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New promotions group looks for ways to distinguish West Branch
by Rick DeClue · News · May 27, 2016
Last Thursday, an audience of 22 people gathered in a kick-off meeting to discuss new city promotion strategies.
Attendees included business owners, city government and Hoover complex officials, members of Main Street West Branch, the director of the Cedar County Economic Development Commission, a “corn and bean” farmer, realtors, lifelong residents and others who came to West Branch for their own reasons – and decided to stay.
Hosted by the City of West Branch and Grow West Branch, a group of business and community leaders dedicated to promotion of the community, the goal is to develop a strategy that will increase new visitors, return visitors and resident spending, as well as invite new residents and businesses into the city.
City consultant Jonny Stacks, assisted by two West Branch High School interns – Lauren Nalan and Wyatt O’Neil, asked the crowd to answer three questions:
• What do you find compelling about West Branch that made you come here and makes you stay here?
• What about the city makes you feel the most pride?
• What things about West Branch do you brag about to your friends?
Over two hours, Stacks conducted an active, wide-ranging discussion that led to many notes hung on the wall and moved around (and around) to gather a base of information about the city.
The answers covered common responses like schools, safety and small town appeal to things that distinguish the city like “all things Hoover.” For history, it was also noted that West Branch has 14 buildings on the national historic registry, with no other towns in Iowa exceeding five.
Many answers overlapped, but the diversity of the responses provided Stacks with a great start, he said.
Stacks touched on various target audiences in a group of concentric circles starting local and eventually extending to anyone who drives by town on Interstate 80.
The overall process is intended to lead to a “rebranding” of the city with a new logo, tag line and promotional materials and methods – print, traditional media and social media – to create a sustainable program in support of growth in West Branch.
Two additional sessions have been tentatively scheduled from 8:30-10 a.m. on Thursday, June 2, and from 7 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, June 28.
Thursday’s meeting was held in the room behind Heritage Merchants at 105 South Downey Street. Locations for future meetings will be announced.
For questions, or to contribute information that tells part of the story of what makes West Branch great, please email westbranchisgreat.com.
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