LSCP Launches New Website
Posted by Lake Superior Community Partnership on July 8, 2013
The internet is a critical tool in economic development. Short of bringing everyone you meet to your community, your web and social media presence can virtually transport them for a visit! Often times a “first impression” will be enough of a positive experience for a site locator, developer or new business to dig a little deeper. At the LSCP we take our first impression very seriously, constantly monitoring and improving our presence and processes to keep visitors wanting more.
You may have noticed over the past few weeks that the LSCP website has a new look. This has been in the works for nearly a year and we’re excited to be able to share the final product. Our partner and Michigan Top 50 Businesses to watch award winner, 906 Technologies, worked with our marketing team to design the site.
It has been several years since we have overhauled marquette.org. Going through our rebranding, reorganization and restructuring provided the inspiration to tackle a new site that positively reflects our community while providing the essential economic development information. We also wanted to make the site easier to navigate and more user friendly. Our expanded site selection and business resources pages give site selectors and those interested in starting or expanding their business even more resources to help them along the way.
Did you notice our new business directory? LSCP partners have always been listed on our site, but we are now able to offer them even more features to help promote their business. Each partner’s page can include a logo, website, link to social media pages, map of their location, a short description and a list of contacts. We get many calls, emails and walk-ins asking for referrals and we always direct that person to our business directory. With the new directory, customers will have an even easier time getting in contact with the business.
Under our business resources page we make finding a new location easy, currently via Location One. Location One allows anyone to easily search for the available commercial properties in Marquette County. This service is free via our website for partners and non-partners. It is searchable by size, location, zoning and provides demographic and census data for each location. Stay tuned as we begin converting to an incredible new sites and properties software this fall.
For visitor or community calendar information we link directly to the MCCVB website. They do a great job of keeping up with both. Similarly, for jobs and talent we link to Michigan Talent Connect. We are able to help partners get their jobs listed on this site and it is very easy to use. Linking to those doing a great job with specific information is much more efficient, eliminates duplication of effort and keeps our community information consistent.
My blog and our RSS feed are now combined into one location located on the home page. Anyone is able to sign up to receive these updates or visit the website and easily find Marquette County news and blog posts. The LSCP also has facebook, twitter, linkedin and instagram and all are updated regularly. Links to all of these pages can also be found along the top of the home page on the new site.
Going forward, we’ll be able to take registration and payment on our website. We’ll launch this for our Quarterly Luncheon which will feature Bob Jacquart, President of Jacquart Fabric Products, on August 8. And, of course, you may be happy to learn that in 2014 your dues can be paid online as well!
Please take a moment to check out our website. Staff and contact information is clearly listed, so if you have any feedback, a question or want to take advantage of any of our services simply let us know.
CEO, Amy Clickner, writes this bi-weekly column for the Mining Journal.
