Centralia Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Marcus Holland told a membership event last week that the Inspire marketing campaign is drawing positive response.
Holland says the goal of the program is to bring all communities within ten miles of Centralia under one marketing program. He reports there are three goals: Inspire Community, Inspire Progress, and Inspire Connections.
“We’re connecting people in the community to give resources, finding out business needs,” Holland said. “We’re trying to push progress with the cities, with municipalities. Ultimately, we’re trying to get people together as a community.”
Holland says there is a lot of commonality, but many in the ten mile radius don’t identify with Centralia.
“We have that ten-mile radius of people that shop here, that work here, that go to our schools and our hospitals,” Holland said. “That ten-mile radius is our primary audience. Those are the same communities that get water from Centralia’s water treatment plant. It’s not only that they support us and buy from us and our grocery stores, but we also provide water to them. We are literally connected by resources and by life.”
The chamber is taking the message to all of the village boards in the 10 mile radius that includes Shattuc, Sandoval, Odin, Hoffman, Junction City, Central City, Wamac, Walnut Hill, Hoyleton, Irvington and Richview.
The chamber has also published a magazine highlighting the positive features of the area, educational opportunities, progress, top employers, recreational opportunities, longstanding traditions, and annual events. A short video has also been produced showing off the region.
Holland notes while Mt. Vernon is seen by many as a much bigger city, the population within the 10-mile radius around Centralia is bigger than the same circle around Mt. Vernon.
