Council to spend $150K on marketing initiative
By Pam Wright
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Funding for a new marketing campaign to promote Chatham-Kent’s downtown areas, community attractions and natural beauty was approved by municipal council April 27.
Brought forward by South Kent Coun. Anthony Ceccacci, the motion calls for spending $150,000 on the initiative. The money will be pulled from strategic reserves
According to Ceccacci, the communications campaign will focus on “promoting, supporting, and driving revenue to Chatham-Kent’s unique communities, including their downtowns, tourism attractions, small businesses, and recreation and cultural assets.”
Ceccacci wants to reach out to “communities that surround us.
“It’s important that Chatham-Kent is recognized and I think that we are in a position now, we have a lot of very good things that are happening,” he added.
The councillor said he’s talked with many constituents in various sectors who are in favour of the campaign since bringing the idea forward.
The councillor said a strategic communications plan is needed.
“I think that us as a community, if we can’t promote our community as a municipality, and promote our downtown cores, which is the absolute fabric of our small-town communities, then I think we are leaving ourselves in a very difficult position,” Ceccacci said. “I think we need to do a better job investing in our community.”
North Kent Coun. Jamie McGrail, who seconded the motion, said she loved the idea and wants to make sure to get the “rural flair” in the plan.
C-K corporate communications manager Eric Labadie said the project will be contracted out to a third party, overseen by the municipality.
