BOONE, Iowa—The City of Boone and ISU Extension and Outreach of Boone County are inviting community members to attend and participate in the launch of Boone’s Marketing Hometown America project. The goal of the project has been to identify strengths of the community to better market Boone to potential new residents. The launch will take place on Wednesday, June 26 at 6:00 p.m. at the Boone County Extension office, 1327 SE Marshall Street in Boone. Participants are invited to learn more about the project, contribute to the plans for improving the community’s marketing efforts, and participate in the process.

The Marketing Hometown America process included a facilitator training at the end of 2018 for local leaders from various community organizations. Small groups were then formed and led by these locally trained facilitators including leaders from the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce, the City of Boone, DMACC’s Boone Campus, the Boone Community School District, ISU Extension and Outreach of Boone County, and Boone Action Association.

Each small group held a series of four meetings to draft a marketing plan and identify activities they could do in the community to help make Boone more marketable. Each group reported back at an action forum in April where votes were cast on the proposed plans and activities.

“I believe this program has great potential for Boone in a number of different areas,” said Boone City Council Member Greg Piklapp. “It can help build local partnerships and help showcase our community to people that may be looking for a new place to call home. It can also remind longtime residents of our community’s benefits. These strengths might be taken for granted because we are so used to them, but they are unique only to Boone and can help grow our hometown.”

Those interested in learning more about the program should contact Alex Merk with ISU Extension and Outreach at alexmerk@iastate.edu or 515-432-3882.

Action Forum held as part of the Marketing Hometown America project in Boone

(contributed release and photo)