“The Northstar people like to call it the community uncovering itself,” Evans said.
Northstar – a Nashville, Tenn., community marketing consulting company – worked recently with Manistee County in a similar process. The outcome in Manistee was an image strategy based upon the lakeside community being “where life meets water.”
If the community wants to complete the first perceptions research and then the story development phase, the total cost would be in the range of $80,000, Evans said.
“There are many in the community who thinks this is valuable for tourism, economic development and recreation,” Evans said. “For us at the Muskegon Lake Watershed Partnership, we are more than former toxic hot spot. We want to find out who we are. I think I might know but I think the process will surprise us.”
Other organizations interested in the community story project include the White Lake Public Advisory Council, Muskegon Area First, Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce, the Muskegon County Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Community Foundation for Muskegon County.
The process could be more valuable than the final “story” to be told, Evans said. The project would include all of Muskegon County, she said.
Those wanting to determine if Muskegon County embarks upon developing its self-described story will gather April 29 at 920 Watermark Center, 920 Washington St., from 5:30 to 7 p.m. A social gathering to network will begin at 5 p.m. and the presentation and community discussion begins at 5:30 p.m.
Evans stressed that the process can be fun and enlightening, but it only works if a broad cross-section of county citizens participate.
