The Internet will play a key factor in increasing the profile around tourism and business growth in Black Diamond Turner Valley in a new initiative this year.
The Inter-Municipal Economic Development Committee (IEDC) has established a short-term marketing strategy that is expected to put the two communities on the map for investors and visitors via a new website.
Councils in the two communities gave the IEDC the green light to move forward with its marketing strategy, which includes creating a joint community online profile, estimated to cost $3,000, developing an economic development microsite listing all businesses, as well as investment and tourism-related details, at a cost of around $10,000, and engaging businesses through a digital Main Street online platform that aims to get all businesses online, for about $5,000.
“Since COVID-19, businesses have realized the importance of being online so this is going to be another avenue for them to utilize and help grow their business in the online world,” said IEDC chair Chelsea Vogel. “The Town websites have a business directory but it’s not being utilized to its full potential. We want to expand on that and have more information available and have it in one place where it’s easy to access for everybody.”
The committee is working to hire a marketing firm/contractor this month with hopes that the new website is complete before the end of the year.
Both councils approved economic development budgets in the amount of $50,000 this year, with a portion being used to launch the initial stages of the marketing plan.
“The marketing firm/contractor will listen to what our plans are and start making suggestions and recommendations on how to move forward,” said Vogel. “The idea is they’ll work the next three months and have everything completed by Dec. 31, 2020.”
The Towns of Black Diamond and Turner Valley formed the IEDC last summer with the goal of collaborating to attract economic investment and support businesses.
Since then, the committee produced a joint economic development strategy guiding initiatives to build economic development capacity, foster a friendly environment for new development, support business retention, expand entrepreneurism, target downtown and community development and make the towns a destination.
Vogel said with a disconnect between home-based businesses and storefront businesses in the two towns, the committee members hope the digital Main Street will serve as a way to educate business owners about what other businesses are available in their communities.
“Our hope is to bring them together,” she said. “If I business doesn’t have a website or social media platforms, this is where they can go to upload their information. It’s a way that we can connect and create a stronger business community.”
Vogel said the digital business directory will feature every business in the two communities, large and small.
“Businesses can build their profiles and update as necessary, such as hours of operations and menus,” she said. “If people need information on a certain business and what they have to offer they can go on there and look.”
Vogel said the joint community profile will serve as a place to post events occurring in the community and services both community have to offer.
“It’s not just about businesses, it’s what we can offer people as a community,” she said.
As for the investment-specific component, Vogel said information pertaining to potential investors will be available to assist with non-residential growth in Black Diamond and Turner Valley.
“It’s where investors can look at what’s here with any information they need to gather before they make the decision to build their business here,” she said. “Our goal is to grow the business community because that’s how we’re going to flourish and grow.”
Vogel said the committee is planning to have a link to the new website, once it’s complete, on each Town’s websites.
She added that all business owners in the two towns will be notified once a marketing firm has been hired.
