by Catherine Austin
Staff writer
Dan Eason, on behalf of Uvalde Area Development Foundation and Southwest Texas Junior College, outlined to the Noon Lions Club Thursday an innovative and unique marketing plan for the city of Uvalde. Using the Internet and a computer generated CD-ROM video presentation, the foundation has helped create a strategy designed to bring new businesses and manufacturers to Uvalde.
With the theme, "A town to add to your bottom line," the marketing campaign is a combined effort of UDAF and several other groups.
"We have formed a partnership with SWTJC, FUTURO, Uvalde Chamber of Commerce, Middle Rio Grande Workforce Center, the city, county and private businesses," Eason said.
"When we first began meeting to discuss these ideas, we knew that information about Uvalde was incomplete and not very presentable," he continued. "The web sites contained old information, and there was just a one-page brochure that also was outdated."
One of the first goals of the committee was to get the community to know what was being planned.
"We have sent out press releases, written articles and made presentations to city council and commissioner's court," Eason noted. "And we updated the city's, county's and chamber of commerce's web sites." Next, the committee focused on the types of businesses to attract and a definition of the "product," namely the city of Uvalde.
"Some of the types of businesses we have looked at are metal fabrication, electrical and aviation manufacturers, call and data centers and processing centers," he said. In defining Uvalde, the committee cited the competitive advantages of locating a business here. "We have stressed availability of labor, low cost of living, quality of life and location," Eason mentioned. "Plus, along with the efforts of SWTJC and Middle Rio Grande Workforce Center, we can offer customized training for a company's employees."
The next step was to select the marketing tools that would best promote Uvalde. "The idea this group came up with is revolutionary in that, to our knowledge, no other city in the country has developed an interactive CD-ROM with video for marketing their towns," said Bill Dillard, Lions program chairman for the month. The CD-ROM and accompanying brochure, still in development, will be ready in a matter of weeks for direct mailing to over 1,000 companies and business across the country, Eason said after presenting a preview of the CD-ROM to the group.
"Another unique feature of this CD is that since data and statistics about the city change frequently, a link is included that takes the viewer directly to the city's web site on the Internet where data and statistics can be updated as needed and thus remain current," Eason said.
In addition to the CD-ROM, the group has also prepared a quick facts report as well as a 60-page document with details about the city, all of which are available on the UADF web site, Eason continued.
"Besides the direct mail campaign, now, with these marketing tools, we will be prepared for trade shows, cold calls and paid advertising," he said.
He noted that the foundation had already made contact with a few out-of-state businesses. "One works with Mexico in automotive materials, one is an electric manufacturer, and another is an apartment builder," he said. "We also heard from a man in California who works with recreational vehicles and is wanting to re-locate, but that might be a few years away," he added.
Eason also mentioned that the state of Texas has programs to assist cities in bringing in companies from out of state. "This is an extremely competitive undertaking," said Dillard. "A city like Uvalde doesn't have the big war chests like some cities do to attract businesses. So we have to explore every avenue we can." Dillard also noted that some of the companies located in other areas of the country are faced with problems that make re-locating attractive. "They have weather-related lost days and air quality problems that we don't have here," he said. "So we need to capitalize on that."
Eason concluded his presentation by noting that as soon as the CD-ROM is finalized and duplicated, the marketing program will be launched. "With this CD, we are now geared up to take a pro-active approach to economic development," he said.
The Noon Lions Club will conclude its series on economic development for the month of June at Thursday's meeting. Sage Kawecki of the Hill Country River Region is scheduled to speak during the meeting at the Kettle Restaurant.
Source: Uvalde Leader News
Uvalde Area Development Foundation
Created by Uvalde Area Development Foundation. All rights reserved. Copyright 2003.
" ... taking a proactive attitude toward growth and economic development."
Economic Development Plan Unveiled:
Eason, UADF working hard to sell Uvalde
