Appleton, Wisconsin Announces New Strategic Planning Initiative

February 26, 2014


APPLETON, WIS, FEBRUARY, 2014 – The City of Appleton, Wisconsin is pleased to announce that it will partner with Manheim Solutions and Brand Acceleration to advance its economic development strategic planning and marketing communications. The project will include a detailed analysis of the City’s demographic and socioeconomic trends and labor force characteristics, as well as recommendations for marketing, based on the research findings. The plan they create will help the City direct its efforts and resources toward a clearly-defined vision for economic success.
Karen Harkness, Director of Community and Economic Development for the City of Appleton, stated “We needed partners with a thorough understanding of the economic development industry and the ability to dig deep into the City’s economy and develop solid strategies that will help us move positively into the future. Manheim Solutions and Brand Acceleration clearly demonstrated that they are the right partners.”

Manheim Solutions has more than 30 years of community economic development experience. Offering such services as SWOT analyses, industry analyses, workforce analyses, business retention studies, and retail trade analyses, Manheim assists communities nationwide with long-range development and strategic planning.

Chris Manheim, President of Manheim Solutions, Inc. added “We are pleased that we were selected by the City of Appleton to provide it the economic development strategy and implementation tools it needs to better grow its economy.”

Brand Acceleration is an award-winning marketing communications, public relations, and brand development firm which works with cities, counties, and regions nationwide. The firm is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, and has a team that operates nationally.

“The City of Appleton has a powerful story to tell. We are looking forward to helping the City develop a marketing strategy that will tell the world what a wonderful place it is to do business and be a part of the community,” Jim Walton, CEO of Brand Acceleration, said. “We’re excited about the opportunity to work with both the City and with Manheim Solutions.  Together, we can create a plan that will put the City on the path toward long-term success.

For more information about Manheim Solutions, visit http://www.manheimsolutions.com/.  For more information about Brand Acceleration, Inc., go to www.brandaccel.com

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