Peach County looking to create brand to attract new business

FORT VALLEY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Peach County is looking for a brand. The president of the chamber of commerce say business growth hit a dead end and it’s time for a change.

It’s a circumstance that’s left Tom Morrill, the chamber’s president, with an idea to plant a seed.

“We need to present ourselves in the best light so that we can launch our community to the rest of the world,” Morrill said.

He’s teaming with other organizations to try and create a brand for the county.

“We need to have some solid marketing materials that we can put out that people can see who are, to see the warmth, the skill, and the assets that Peach County has to offer,” Morrill said.

The two-year president said 2008’s recession slowed business growth and despite the successes of Blue Bird, farms like Lane Southern Orchards, and Fort Valley State University — Morrill says he thinks the county could be doing better.

“The more business and industry we can bring into this county, the wealthier we’ll be,” he said.

Whether a unified logo, brand, or slogan; it’s a process that’ll take money to make money.

“The more people we can get to participate in it, the more unified we are and then we can spread the cost among ourselves,” Morrill said.

It’ll cost $5,000 per stakeholder.

If more participants like Peach County commissioner, councils in both Fort Valley and Byron as well as the city’s main streets participate — Morill predicts more enthusiasm.

“The rising tide will lift all the boats in this county and it will help the tax payers tremendously,” he said.

Morrill says he’s expecting to have phase of the county’s branding process complete in the next six months — that includes creating a  log and a tag line as well as market research to start working with prospective businesses.