2023 DeKalb Revitalization Committee
Preliminary Draft Revitalization Proposal
I GREW UP IN DEKALB.
I WENT TO SCHOOL IN DEKALB.
MY FAMILY HISTORY IS IN DEKALB.
I OWN A BUSINESS IN DEKALB.
I WORSHIP IN DEKALB.
I PLAY IN DEKALB.
I WORK IN DEKALB.
I LIVE IN DEKALB.
I BELIEVE IN DEKALB.
WELCOME (BACK) TO DEKALB: REBRANDING & MARKETING
Objectives:
Work with DeKalb Town Board to rebrand the town as a community on the rise and a great place for business and recreation.
Promote our assets and inspire investors with revitalization plans. Let world know we are actively seeking development.
Promote DeKalb as a bedroom community and haven for remote workers.
Look at marketing ideas to bring in more visitors and tourists. Change public opinion on town.
Possible Ideas:
Launch social media, website, physical brochure to highlight our town
Directory of businesses, events, resources, recreational opportunities, FAQ's
Compile stats: cars that go through, reasons to stop, to invest
Highlight Amish wares for tourists
Work with SLC Tourism, Chamber
Signs at town limits listing businesses
Signs on Rt 11 pointing toward parks, Kendrew, etc
Sell "I Believe in DeKalb" merch to raise funds, awareness, and community pride - shirts, lawn signs, signs in store windows.
TALK OF THE TOWN:
PROMOTIONS & PUBLIC RELATIONS
Objectives:
Seek to better promote events, projects, businesses in the community
Utilize both digital and analog means of publicity to reach most people
Work with local press, school newsletter, local organizations
Possible Ideas:
Establish a press release method to make sure local media knows about events
Work with Town Boards to publish digital community calendar, post articles and photos from events
Coordinate with other community leaders to sync PR efforts across the towns to make sure there's always something happening and people are well informed.
Create flyers and social media posts.
DeKalb Partyline newsletter - summarize events from past month, advertise upcoming events.
Coordinate with HDCS or SLU to get interns, kids interested in journalism
DEKALB IN BLOOM:
BEAUTIFICATION, GARDENING, & PUBLIC ARTS
Objectives:
Publicize intent to rebrand and clean up our town - including property owners with junk, etc. Time is up - time to clean up. Raise public awareness that it's not to attack anyone -- it's for the betterment and survival of the town.
Create sense of being in this together, positivity, assistances, incentives, highlight benefits. Work with Accessor to educate about tax increases and home improvements.
Visual rebranding: update any municipal signs, letterhead, with same colors, font.
Update new town Welcome Signs with Town Board. Use to promote Blueway, Maple Traditions, etc.
Coordinate with local businesses about possible business directory sign. Envision gazebo as the center of the Town. Kiosks, info booths, welcome center.
Establish gardening club to plant more perennials through out town - focus on easy to care
Possible Ideas:
Provide assistance to community to plant their own plants and flowers. Can local hardware stores, florists, etc do DIY workshops?
Better advertise bi-yearly community clean up weekends (with municipal bulk junk drop offs, info on electronics, clothes, hazardous waste, etc recycling)
Collect lawn debris to reuse in public mulch bin, free firewood
Seek donations of mulch, gardening supplies, bulbs to give to the community.
Look into establishing a lawn & gardening "library" so people can borrow things they need.
Plant flowers and plants in public areas
Create community garden to provide food, recreation, knowledge. Opportunity for different generations to socialize.
Utilize light poles in town for banners, flowers, decorations
Explore ways to cover ugly areas/properties - temp walls with murals?
Cut back brush at intersections for better visibility
Coordinate with town to assist with seasonal decorations. Sponsor decorating contests.
Sponsor block/road competitions for most cleaned up, etc.
HOMETOWN PRIDE:
COMMUNITY CLEAN UP
Objectives:
DEKALB CARES:
COMMUNITY SERVICE & OUTREACH
Possible Ideas:
Organize volunteer efforts to help elderly, disabled, etc to clean up their properties.
DEKALB IN BLOOM:
BEAUTIFICATION & COMMUNITY CLEAN UP
This is a Paragraph. Click on "Edit Text" or double click on the text box to start editing the content and make sure to add any relevant details or information that you want to share with your visitors.