TV advertising may promote Marion
TV provides 'show and tell'
Like Hutchinson, which urges television viewers to "come view our space," Marion may soon be the focus of some TV advertising of its own.
Jack Regnier of the Marion Economic Development Board told city commissioners Monday that he hoped they would give consideration to financing an advertising campaign that would promote not only the city's industrial and business parks, but the city itself.
Regnier said the board was looking at using television advertising because "not enough people know what we've got," he said. "I think it's the best way to go although it's pricey.
"I'm optimistic we'll see results," he added. "We need another avenue to get our message out."
Regnier and Marion Economic Development Director Susan Cooper indicated that initially a number of spots could run, although that number could be tapered down after a time.
Mayor Eloise Mueller questioned whether radio advertising would be effective.
Cooper replied the print medium seems to be more effective and the city had used that extensively with brochures and other printed items, but noted the city was not used to dealing with other methods.
"The show and tell method (of television) should be effective," Regnier said.
City Commissioner Jim Crofoot said Regnier and the economic development board as a whole deserve commendation from the city because members serve an important role.
"It gives Susan (Cooper) people to bounce ideas off of and to go along with her when visiting prospects," Crofoot said.
Regnier agreed, "it's important that someone besides just Susan be out there making presentations."
"The advisory board is our best ambassadors," Cooper said. "They are all business owners in the community. What better person to tell what Marion is like?"
Cooper said the board consists of a representative from each sector of the business community to create a "good balance," she said.
"I've brought ideas to them and it validates what I'm doing," she added.
Besides Regnier, other members of the advisory board include Nick Nicholson, Casey Case, Steve Wear, Brad Seacat, Rodney Richmond, and commission representative Larry McLain.
In a related matter, the commission gave Cooper the go-ahead to obtain cost information about establishing a City of Marion government web site.
"When talking about marketing and promotion it's common for all communities with an economic development professional to have websites," Cooper explained.
Cooper said she would like to have a professional design the web site and train herself and a couple other city employees to update it when necessary.
"Once it's up and going I don't think there will be a lot of maintenance," she said.
Cooper said the web site could use the domain name of marionkansas.com, which has been reserved by Bill Meyer of the Marion County Record. Meyer has made the offer to provide the name to the city at no charge, Cooper said, as long as it has a link to the Marion County Record.
"That's something that I would want anyway," she said. "I want it (web site) to have links to local businesses."
Cooper suggested commissioners look at web sites from Kingman and Minneapolis as examples of what she would like to do here. She also noted each city department could have a page including police, public works, and city clerk.
"There's a lot of opportunity here besides just for economic development," Cooper said.
Commissioner Larry McLain said the City of Florence has a new website, and Cooper said the other Marion County cities of Burns, Peabody, and Hillsboro already have web sites.
"There's a wealth of information you can have there (on a web site)," McLain said. "We can market our industrial and business park."
He added that Meyer's offer to provide the domain name was admirable and said it was a cost the city wouldn't have to bear.
In an unrelated matter, Cooper reported she had recently attended a meeting regarding historic tax credits. She noted that opportunities were available for historic properties, such as those on the historic registers. Interested individuals should contact her for information.
Commissioners also:
— heard from City Administrator Dave Mayfield that City Attorney Dan Baldwin had sent a letter to Marion County Commissioners seeking to review certain financial records of the transfer station operation.
In January, the City of Marion and the City of Hillsboro requested a moratorium from the county on the collection of charges for construction and demolition (C&D) waste at the transfer station. The records will give the city direction on how it should proceed after the moratorium ends.
Baldwin said he had visited with David Brazil, transfer station manager, who said the city would receive the desired records by Thursday. Mayfield said he will report back to city commissioners at a later date if changes are needed.
— approved the February financial statement report, and the February investment and collateral report.
— heard from Mayfield that at this point in the year the city should have used 16.67 percent of its budget; however, only 9.3 percent actually has been used.
— approved warrants and payroll amounting to $10,719.16.
— Harvey Sanders, public utilities director, said with the warm weather his department was getting busy. He reported the ball field restrooms had been cleaned, crews had put in a water line in the business park, and two electrical outlets were installed at the ball field for pitching machines. Several lights are out at the field which crews will replace when the muddy ground dries up. Also, crews will begin filling holes, made while repairing water line leaks, with cement.
In response to a question from McLain, Sanders said two brief power "blinks" Friday afternoon were not local problems. The power never went out.
— reviewed a report from Janet Marler, librarian. The report noted the city held its monthly meeting last week. Items discussed included new computers for the children's area, additional shelving in the office area, and that trees are needed for a barrier on the south end of the library for a boundary and dust control.
Also eight women from Hudson toured the library; Kay Russell, a consultant from the Manhattan Library, helped staff revise and complete policies for Internet and computers; and more than 100 people have visited the quilt display.
Marler also reported that two new board members are needed since Margaret Pickering and Jim Bridges will be leaving the board. They have served the maximum eight years allowed.
