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Thursday, 05 April 2007 |
By MIKE BURKHOLDER
Assistant Managing Editor
In an effort to increase the region’s profile among economic development officials across the country, the Auglaize County commissioners plan to pay for a full-page advertisement in an industry magazine — a move one local official says should benefit the city of Wapakoneta.
Wapakoneta Area Economic Development Council (WAEDC) Executive Director Greg Myers told WAEDC members he recently met with the county commissioners and they agreed to pay $7,000 for the development and placement of an advertisement touting Auglaize County in “Site Selection,” magazine a leading periodical in the economic development world with a subscription of 45,000.
“We were looking at a half or one-third of a page ad but they (commissioners) thought we should try for a full-page ad,” Myers said. “They also agreed to hire a graphic designer to design the ad as well as a Web site location to direct visitors to each individual city.”
Myers said Midnet Media, a Minster-based firm, is scheduled to develop a simple Web location to help direct company site selection managers to the various municipalities in Auglaize County.
Myers said the inclusion of a Web site is essential in order to ensure companies have access to all the vital information needed in locating a viable site for development.
“It’s a great way to get our name out there,” Myers said. “We are grateful the commissioners realize the need for this, and it is a great opportunity for us.”
The advertisement is in the process of being streamlined, but should be ready for the May issue, one that will feature a number of Ohio’s economic development sites. Myers said inclusion in the issue — one with a focus on Ohio — could pave the way for possible end users.
“We are pleased with it,” Myers said. “Right now it (the ad) is a little busy but it is being worked on.”
Funding to pay for the advertisement will come out of a county Economic Development Fund. Myers said revenue is generated for the fund through tax abatement payments made by businesses on an annual basis.
In addition to the advertisement, Myers said he pushed commissioners to include links on the new county Web site regarding economic development. As the new Web site gets closer to going live, Myers said he hopes links are included to all the economic development organizations within Auglaize County.
“The meeting was a real opportunity for us to discuss the importance of economic development Web sites for municipalities throughout the county,” Myers said. “I don’t think initially there was a plan for an economic development presence on the Web site, but we wanted to impress upon them the importance of having one.”
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Last Updated ( Friday, 06 April 2007 )
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