Your Story Made Here: Our Story Project
Your Story Made Here: Our Story Project
By Ian Hoover- 21Alive
January 21, 2015 Updated Jan 21, 2015 at 10:56 AM EST
"I coulda had class! I coulda been a contender!"
Everybody loves a winner, and that is what Northeast Indiana is striving for…to be right in there with the big boys.
Courtney Tritch says: "We have decided that our story as a region is that we are a contender…about being this gritty, determination….I mean we all know it's there, right?"
Apparently, we do! No matter where in the ten counties you live, you told us that Northeast Indiana wants to be bigger, bolder and more assertive. You also describe the region as friendly and welcoming.
John Sampson says:"It's fascinating that all ten counties..I mean there are always little differences and so forth, but the alignment between the counties and who they identified with and the characteristics that they are putting their signature on….very common.
The "Our Story" project was spearheaded by the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership to give local businesses and organizations the tools they need to market the region. The big reveal party was attended by community leaders from across the spectrum.
Rick Farrant says: "If we all speak with unity in Northeast Indiana, I think it's going to make a big difference in terms of economic development. I think it's also going to make a big difference in how we feel about ourselves and I think it's going to be a positive message about the region.
Fort Wayne is already getting positive buzz….being named one of the top 35 cities for people aged 35 and under and also making the list for cities with the most civic pride.
Now, the region has a narrative, and officials are hoping that area business owners and officials will take the materials generated from this exhaustive study and use them in their marketing materials. There are several different storylines working off the Contender theme…one of them is sure to fit your business or organization.
Courtney Tritch says:" I would like everyone to go to the website to look at the deliverable, to figure out which aspects of the story work for me, my organization, my business. Lets all start using it. I mean it's all there for you to use and if we all start speaking that same language we're gonna build the reputation of Northeast Indiana and we're gonna be stronger than ever before. "
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