DOWNTOWN STIMULUS PROJECT - UPDATE

Discussions continue on a downtown redevelopment-stimulus plan. One area that is being discussed involves the marketing of the downtown business community. A tentative budget, to be funded with downtown TIF funds and not general fund taxes, is being formed. The following items are part of the discussion. These include creating promotional postcards, brochures, web videos, podcast, and television/radio/newspaper ads. Anticipated expenditures are listed below:

2009 Marketing Projects
4 Full-Color Promotional Postcards Direct Mail (4,000 copies per + postage) ($6,300)
Summer and Christmas promotional fliers (5,000 copies ea. to promote community events) ($990)
Community Promotional Brochure (10,000 copies) ($1,510)
Promotional Web Video ($8,500)
Television, Newspaper and Radio Marketing (Shop Local Campaign) ($7,500)
Internet and iPod Historic Walking Tour ($27,700)
Walking Tour Hardware System ($8,400)
Total - $60,900
2010 Project
Downtown Broadcasting System (promote community events, play holiday music) ($20,000)

This new phase of the package may be in addition to, or replace a portion of what has been discussed earlier:
$250,000 - This money will be used for the reconstruction of the Blackburn Street parking lot adjacent to Domino's and Pasttimes.
$200,000 - This money will be used to beautify the downtown area. It will be used for, but not limited to: bike racks, trees, banners, flower pots, new street lights, and benches.
$100,000 - This money will be used to fund a Downtown Revolving Loan fund to be administered jointly by the city and the Main Street program.
$50,000 - This money will be used to fund a Downtown Facade Grant and Loan program.