NIPIGON – “This project will assist the Township of Nipigon in developing the tools necessary to support and grow existing businesses as well as attract visitors and new entrepreneurs. Thanks to the support of the provincial government, this strategy will be a positive step forward to strengthen our economic climate and focus on new opportunities for tourism,” states Mayor Richard Harvey.
The Township of Nipigon is launching a branding and signage program that will redefine the town in response to the changing economic and social needs of the community. Nipigon’s branding & signage steering committee is working together with Firedog Communications and branding and signage coordinator Dave Koski, R.G.D. on creating a brand image of what it is that makes Nipigon unique and attractive, to its community members, to new residents, visitors and potential new businesses. Basically, to define the “Nipigon Experience.”
The Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities funded a year-long Community Adjustment (CAC) project in Nipigon, headed by Danielle Thompson, Project Coordinator, with Collete Shwetz and Tasha Sutton as administrative assistants. With a strong committee from all walks of life in Nipigon, they set to work choosing priority projects.
The Branding and Signage Project is one of those projects, and CAC worked for a year to secure funding for its implementation. The Branding portion of the Project is being funded by the Rural Economic Development Program, offered by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food. The Superior North Community Futures Development Corporation is also a partner in the project
What is Place Branding? Place branding is the process of image communication to a target market. At its heart is the notion that places compete with other places for people, resources, and business. Examples of place brands
include Amsterdam’s “Iamsterdam”, Las Vegas’s “Sin City”, Paris’ “Illuminated City”, and Silicon Valley’s “tech capital.”
“This strategy builds upon and highlights the strengths of the beautiful Township of Nipigon, while creating new economic and business opportunities and positioning it for growth. This project is another example of how the McGuinty government is providing communities with the tools they need to succeed and prosper,” shared an enthusiastic Michael Gravelle, MPP for Thunder Bay-Superior North.
“Superior North CFDC is happy to partner with the Township of Nipigon in this valuable project. By attracting visitors into Nipigon and helping to strengthen and retain local businesses, this project is an excellent example of stimulating economic growth and diversification,” stated Michael J Beno, Board Chair, Superior North Community Futures Development Corporation.