From Maureen Hammond, PEDC Executive Director:
Over the last two years we have seen numerous new job announcements and record numbers in sales tax growth. Transportation projects are planned, city programs to incentivize development have been approved and affordable housing and new development projects have been announced. Paris, Texas, is truly a community on the rise. There seems to be no better time than the present to launch a Branding/Identity project to uncover what makes Paris truly authentic as we refresh our brand.
Thankfully, leadership in the City of Paris, PEDC and the Chamber all agree. The three organizations came together earlier in 2022 by engaging North Star to undertake this joint project that will propel our marketing efforts to a greater level. While our community is thriving, all of them agreed that there is an opportunity to refine our city’s identity and narrative. This will enable us both to better share our distinct story and also preserve our history.
The project will be heavily community-driven and go through several different phases. The initial research phase launched on Monday, May 9, with an educational presentation during the City Council Meeting. Throughout the week, North Star led several focus groups, one-on-one interviews and phone call interviews followed by the launch of a survey to the citizens and businesses of Paris, Texas. It is an 8-to-12-month process that begins with listening to you, our residents, as well as other stakeholders near Paris.
The goal is to gather all perspectives on the community’s reputation, perceptions, attitudes, strengths, weaknesses and opportunities, which inform the brand’s development. Our citizens know what makes Paris special; and you will be one of our most important resources as we work through this process. We need your help! The Community Survey has already been in circulation and will stay open for only one more week. Please complete the survey if you haven’t already and keep an eye out for other opportunities to share your input that will help shape our brand – we want to hear from everyone. If you are interested in the project, please visit our project site DistinctivelyParis.com to learn about the process.
This Branding project is key to the economic health of our community. The elements that make a community special have always been a factor in economic development. However, as labor shortages continue to be a widespread challenge, attracting talent and investing in quality of life remains at the forefront of great economic development organizations and communities. More and more, people are choosing where they live first, and then finding a job. Being able to show what makes Paris a great place to live and work becomes more important than ever in attracting talented workers and potential businesses to our area.
We hope you will join us in ensuring that the City of Paris is positioned for continued strong quality of life, economic growth and sustainability, as we embark on a branding initiative that will ultimately communicate our strengths, unique character and history.
The survey will only be available until 7/22/22, so please take a moment to complete the survey so your voice is heard. You can find the survey here: Community Survey
