THE FOLLOWING IS A NEWS-GAZETTE STORY BY JENNIFER BAILEY
DANVILLE — Vermilion County Board Chairman Larry Baughn said recently that when someone looks up the county online, the initial search results might not make the best impression.
“That’s the narrative we’re trying to change, and we need your help to change that. There’s so many great things out here in the county,” Baughn said.
The city of Danville already has undergone a rebranding and has a new logo. Now, the county is following.
Vermilion County, too, is working with WhiteSmith Marketing Group of Fairmount on the county’s rebranding effort.
The project is the first phase of Vermilion County’s 200th Anniversary Celebration, which officially begins in 2026.
According to Baughn, Sue Richter of the Vermilion County Museum is leading a focus group in planning that upcoming celebration, a huge event that will span from Hoopeston and Allerton and every town between.
Baughn, on behalf of the Vermilion County Board this past Friday, asked the Step Up group to help lead the county rebranding effort by sharing input.
Step Up Vermilion County is an independent nonprofit organization focused on addressing critical issues in the community, including parenting and families, substance abuse and mental health.
As part of the rebranding project, a brief online survey has been developed to gather insights and ideas. Respondents can complete the survey — surveymonkey.com/r/VermCo24 — at any point during the next two months.
Survey questions include: the respondent’s relationship with Vermilion County, i.e., if they live, work, operate a business or own land in the county or visited or considered moving to the county; the county’s greatest strengths; what distinguishes the county from others; what aspect leaves the most positive impression on newcomers/visitors; and if Vermilion County could change only one thing to make a better impression and encourage more people to live in or visit it, what should be changed or improved?
The survey also has words to be ranked/rearranged for possible Vermilion County themes. The phrases are themes to be used and not actual taglines. Respondents can add their own tagline theme if not listed.
“It just takes a couple of moments, but it’s very important information that we need from the communities throughout Vermilion County,” Baughn said about completing the survey.
Officials also want information from those outside the county as well, to show the true picture of what people think, what the county lacks and what it needs to work on through marketing, he added.
County officials said that when the research is completed, a logo, tagline and communication plan will be developed.
The objective of the rebranding is to show those outside Vermilion County, as most residents already appreciate what a great county it is, Baughn said.
According to WhiteSmith’s Terri White, anyone who lives, works or visits Vermilion County is invited to share their input on strategically rebranding the county.
In addition to the online survey, a series of stakeholder and focus group interviews are being conducted. When the research is complete, a logo, tagline and communication plan will be developed in 2024 and 2025.
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