Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
By RICHARD JENKINS
Ironwood — Building off Ironwood’s “Find Your North” slogan and new logo, the city commission approved a new marketing plan for the city Monday.
Community Development Director Tom Bergman said a variety of projects were identified several years ago during the city’s comprehensive planning process — including the creation of a marketing plan.
Monday’s plan builds off a one-year plan Bergman said was developed roughly two years ago.
“The EDC took this as one of their main projects about a year ago, and over the last six months it really picked up a lot of steam,” he told the commission.
The plan used an asset-based community development model to identify the area’s strengths and how the city can build off them.
“(The plan) takes into account the pieces of that asset-based community development process, as well as our branding process, and incorporates that all together into a long-term marketing plan to guide community development,” Bergman said.
Along with identifying key assets and organizations, the plan details ways the city can market itself. These include internal efforts, such as supporting local business initiatives that incorporate the “Find Your North” brand and helping residents embody the brand; as well as external efforts such as engaging tourists and partnering with regional and state efforts.
Commissioner Jim Mildren complimented the city on the success the early efforts have already produced.
“You see our area moving forward, people are making this a destination again,” Mildren said. “And you see the new people with businesses in Ironwood, and their marketing plans, somehow they’re all fitting together. … It’s bringing people, it’s working.”
In other action:
—The commission approved a change order adding Francis Street, between Lowell and Lawrence streets; and Lawrence Street, between Francis Street and Coolidge Avenue, to the city’s water and sewer project. City officials said the project was costing less than expected, and the two areas had been considered for work from the outset if there was extra funds available.
—The commission approved a pair of Rural Development Pay Packages of $220,282 and $215,887 for work done on the city’s Phase 4 utility project’s sewer and water project.
—Fahrner Excavating was awarded the bid to demolish a house at 150 Southland Ave.
—The commission authorized city officials to see bids on road gravel and winter street sand.
—The commission authorized a payment of $14,857 to Northwoods Paving for asphalt work, authorized paying P.K. Contracting $22,078 as part of the city’s pavement striping contract and authorized paying JCS, Inc. $59,072 for crack sealing.
—The commission authorized paying Nasi Roofing $38,000 for work done re-roofing the Memorial Building Courtyard roofs.