40 community leaders and local government officials attended last night’s Greene County marketing planning meeting.

Economic Development Director Ken Paxton says the purpose of the meeting was to get community input how they want to structure a marketing plan to attract people to come to the County.

The group looked at the community’s strengths, improvements, opportunities and any potential threats which Rick Hunsaker with Region XII Council of Governments pointed out that threats are elements that are outside of human control.

Some of the strengths were assets like the Greene County Courthouse, the downtown square, the Mahanay Bell Tower, public art, major manufacturers and visibility for the county.  The improvements included lack of housing and daycare centers, lodging and not having enough activities for people to do.

The opportunity areas were those that the County could draw from other places like Highway 30 and Highway 4, the Lincoln Highway, conservation areas and Iowa State University.  The potential threats included lack of funding for projects, not enough volunteers and keeping people local for activities.

Marketing Director for Wild Rose Entertainment Amy Rubel recommended that the County raise enough money to make a promotional video to market themselves to target audiences.

She told Raccoon Valley Radio how Wild Rose can collaborate with the County to help promote all the different aspects as being a huge key for success.

“Well first of all I think it’s like the perfect recipe for success.  So it’s really great to tie in with the locals here.  Got a lot accomplished tonight actually I think for a first meeting so it’s exciting to see.  It’s wonderful to see so many of the locals involved and I think it’s just a home run all the way around.”

Paxton pointed out that this was a first in a series of marketing planning meetings with a goal to have a marketing plan developed by the end of the year.