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PLAN SECTIONS |
Welcome to the online edition of the Yellow Springs Community Information Project Project Plan. Appendices are provided in pdf format ONLY. Adobe Acrobat Reader is required. pdf versions of the main plan sections are also available from their respective pages. SHORT TERM INITIATIVES 1-2 YEARS CIP LEADERSHIP PROJECTS These are projects that the CIP will take full charge of, from concept development through implementation. We will communicate and coordinate with community groups as required but the projects do not require their direct involvement in order to be successful. These initiatives will be designed and prioritized to communicate specific messages to specific target audiences.
The first initiative and core effort of the Plan will be to create a "signature" for Yellow Springs. A communications campaign will be developed to clarify and focus the identity that already exists and unify the message we convey and how we convey it. Based upon our research, Yellow Springs is already recognized as a "fun, funky, unique" destination. The purpose of the Identity Campaign is to solidify and expand upon the positive image of Yellow Springs and broaden its appeal to more effectively communicate the message that Yellow Springs is a great place to visit, live, learn, and work. The first step in the process will be to develop an identifiable visual identity and a descriptive phrase that will be an immediate "flag" to visitors about what they can expect in Yellow Springs. It is essential that we create a descriptive phrase and graphic identity that will become an immediate symbol of what Yellow Springs has to offer while not altering our internal or existing external identity. In an effort to clarify this identity and develop an appropriate communications campaign, the CIP will utilize the services of design and marketing professionals. The following are but a few of the ways the campaign might be implemented:
The CIP will provide a template or style manual for any and all local groups, businesses and institutions to use in the creation of their own promotional materials or simply add the identity piece to the materials they have already developed. The Chamber of Commerce is a likely partner in the effort to communicate the message to the broadest audience possible both for local acceptance and in the efforts to attract visitors. The key to the success of this campaign is broad acceptance and implementation of the program by the community. The more ways in which a unified message is being communicated, the stronger the Identity Campaign will be and the more success Yellow Springs will have at attracting visitors, residents, learners, and workers.
The second initiative of the plan will be to develop strategies to communicate specific messages to targeted audiences. One such initiative is targeted communication of housing opportunities to attract new residents who might find the community a good fit. The means to achieve this end is seen as a two-prong campaign. First would be the preparation of appropriate information materials about the schools, housing opportunities, recreational activities and other amenities which make living here attractive. Second would be to inform realtors and other housing search portals about the community and furnish to them the materials described. We will communicate with local and regional realtors who sell in this market so that they will be current about the community and can better match their clients with housing here. Current plans for housing development should mesh well with this effort and CIP will coordinate with local developers as well. Housing opportunities and supporting information will be integrated with the Website and Information Center. A primary market of new residents is those hired by our own local businesses so a focus of this communication campaign is to ensure that those responsible for the hiring of local employees relocating to this area are aware of the current residential opportunities in Yellow Springs. Another target market identified was faculty and staff from area universities, a group already in abundance in Yellow Springs. CIP will work with realtors and developers to establish a communication strategy to ensure that people who are planning a move to the area or people already in the area who might be attracted to Yellow Springs be given the opportunity to explore our community as a potential new home. Other initiatives will be designed and prioritized to communicate specific messages to specific targeted audiences. CIP PARTNERSHIP PROJECTS These are projects that will require direct coordination and implementation from community groups. CIP may or may not be the lead partner but the scope of the endeavors requires direct active partner participation and may be limited by the resources available from both partners and CIP.
The Yellow Springs Chamber of Commerce has for some time operated a visitor center function at their office in the Train Station. This function is limited under current conditions while the Chamber is revamping its operations and completing a strategic planning activity. The function of a full-fledged and vigorous visitor information center is viewed as a vital core activity in the CIP plan. Depending on whether or not the Chamber elects to continue this work and/or to expand or contract such activities, this plan will pursue implementation of an expanded center as a very high priority. We will work with the Chamber to assist and support their activities or undertake an independent effort perhaps with other partners if they choose not to continue.
Operation of the Center will be by a combination of volunteers and paid personnel to guide the volunteers. We will work to find an appropriate formula for sharing costs and responsibilities among the entities concerned. This will be a long-term activity so a stable mechanism for support and staffing will be needed.
LONG TERM INITIATIVES 2-3 YEARS CIP LEADERSHIP PROJECTS At this point in the planning process all initiatives which involve only the CIP will have been implemented or will be in the process of implementation. The periodic review process described below may identify such ideas as we go forward, but there is nothing new determined in the plan. CIP PARTNERSHIP PROJECTS
CIP MONITORED PROJECTS These are projects that currently are viewed as beyond the direct scope of CIP involvement but have the potential to dramatically enhance the objectives of the project. CIP will monitor the progress of the new initiatives without the commitment of significant resources at this time to determine if they might in the future fit more directly into the scope of the CIP.
CIP REFERRAL PROJECTS There is a long list of ideas and initiatives which are not part of or go well beyond the mission of the CIP. Many of these are good ideas with great potential. They are listed in Appendices C, D, and E. Although CIP cannot take the leadership in pursuing these we will advise/support others who want to do so. In some cases we can supply further background information, advice and even cooperation and assistance in planning, coordinating or finding support but in most our limited resources will prevent any significant support. One of these key projects is finding or creating additional parking convenient to the downtown business district. Although village government has worked on this problem for many years a solution must be reached soon. All of the efforts of the CIP and the Chamber and Community Resources will be useless unless we can accommodate both visitation and local parking needs to support commerce in the business district. CIP will work with everyone concerned to help find a workable solution. |
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