The City is enjoying the fruits of many years of redevelopment work with increased business activity, construction and public attention.  Many people have commented that now is the time for a renewed effort to market the City so people will visit, see all the changes and progress, as well as shop, dine and, perhaps even relocate to our community.  As a result, a marketing position has been created to dedicate someone, full time, to getting the word out about the City.  Creating a branding platform and marketing strategy will give us and our marketing person the tools to do this professionally, effectively, comprehensively and with intention.  Logos, fonts, colors, and designs will all be coordinated to put forward an enticing and professional look for the community and our marketing efforts. 

Staff issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for Professional Services for Branding, Marketing and Master Planning.  The first phase will include Branding, Market Analysis, and creating a Marketing Strategy.  Later phases will include Creating Master Plans for the downtown and the US Hwy 19 Corridor.  There were three teams of firms that responded to the RFP, two of which were selected to make presentations to staff.  The team of Arnett Muldrow & Associates, Mahan Rykiel, Community Design Solutions and Place+Main Advisors were selected.  Arnett Muldrow & Associates will be the lead firm.  This contract will instigate phase one, branding and marketing.  Staff will bring back another contract for services for phase 2 and 3, the Downtown Master Plan and the US Hwy 19 Master Plan, respectively, when phase one is nearing completion.  

This first phase will involve the consultants visiting the community and gathering input from city leaders, local residents and business owners about New Port Richey in order to gain a feel for what the people value and what we appreciate about the community.  There will also be a market analysis to update our information and add more original data.  The process will take about 16 weeks from kickoff meetings to the brand reveal and final report.