Our division is excited to announce the launch of new marketing resources designed to support and encourage economic growth in our community. Whether you’re an investor, business owner, or entrepreneur, these tools have been crafted to help you navigate the abundant opportunities available to businesses in Eau Claire.
New Website
Our first project was revamping our division’s website so it can serve as an even more comprehensive portal for all things economic development. Designed with user experience in mind, the site offers easy access to essential information, business resources, and contacts, making it your go-to source for business development in the city.
Design Highlights
- Updated Branding: The City’s of Eau Claire’s new branding, reimagined by the team at Knorth Studios and implemented at City Hall in 2020, has been utilized to convey the city’s artistic, outdoorsy vibe.
- Modern Layout: Each section of the new site features a sleek, modern layout designed for intuitive navigation and easy access to resources.
- Video Integration: Links to videos created by our economic development partners have been included on both the home page and Quality of Life pages to showcase what it’s like to live and work in Eau Claire in a more dynamic way.
- Responsive Design: Every page has been redesigned for all devices so the website is accessible anywhere.
- Comprehensive Resources: New web pages detailing information on our financing options, relocation services, and business incentives have been added to the site.
- Recent Articles: A new blog has been included in the design of the new site so our Economic Development team can share announcements, project updates, interviews, and other helpful articles.
Innovations
- Business Park Maps: New interactive maps have been published for each business park in the Site Selection area so businesses can get a quick overview of available sites and their prospective neighbors.
- Project Story Map: An annual map, created by the City of Eau Claire Planning Division, has been embedded in the Development Projects section so businesses and residents can scroll through a list of development projects that were approved in the previous year.
- Custom Graphs & Charts: A new Community Profile section has been added to the website with a suite of custom charts, graphs, and tables that will be updated annually to ensure prospective businesses and residents have the recent community information they need to make important decisions.
New Prospectus
Alongside our website rebuild, we partnered with 4 Peas Consulting to design a new investment prospectus for Eau Claire. This comprehensive document provides a deep dive into the economic landscape of the city, offering valuable insights for investors looking to make informed decisions.
Design Highlights
- Doubled Page Count: The prospectus has been expanded from 16 pages to 32 pages to give readers a more comprehensive overview of everything the city has to offer both its businesses and residents.
- Updated Branding: Just like the website, the City of Eau Claire’s new branding has been utilized to convey the city’s reputation as a hub for creativity and outdoor recreation.
- Expanded Sections: Sections that were in the previous prospectus have been lengthened to pack in more data. Plus, brand new sections, such as Redevelopment Districts and Business Incentives, were included to spotlight sites and resources available to businesses.
- New Maps: Each of the maps outlining Eau Claire’s four business parks has been redesigned to match the new interactive maps on the website.
- Recent Data: All of the graphs, charts, and tables in the prospectus show data pulled from the last couple of years.
- All New Copy: The copy has been updated with current data and is written in a professional yet conversational voice that represents the city in a cohesive way.
- New Photography: Recent photos, taken by Beau Buckmaster of Up Up & Around and Andrew Paulseth of Volume One, are weaved throughout every section of the prospectus to give readers a glimpse of Eau Claire.
- Abbreviation Potential: The prospectus was designed in sections that can be exported individually to highlight various aspects of the city.
- Print & Digital Versions: Although meant to be a printed booklet, a digital version of the prospectus and its individual sections were created too so they could easily be emailed and viewed online.
New Loan Program Materials
In addition to the investment prospectus booklet, we also refreshed print materials for each of our loan programs to provide clear, detailed information on the financial support available to businesses at various stages of development.
Design Highlights
- Program Overviews: The brochure and each application lay out clear explanations of each loan program, including eligibility requirements, funding limits, and repayment terms.
- Application Guidelines: The application packets include step-by-step instructions on how to apply, ensuring that the process is straightforward and accessible.
- Application Deadlines: The application packets also list the dates when loan application materials are due so applicants get an idea of a potential funding timeline.
We invite you to explore our new website and take advantage of the extensive resources now available. No matter your stage of business development, the City of Eau Claire’s Economic Development Division is here to support your success. For more information or to request copies of our investment prospectus, loan program brochures, application packets, or flyers, contact us.
About The Author
Kendall Sukopp
Marketing & Communications Specialist
Kendall facilitates the Eau Claire Economic Development Division’s marketing plans, communicates with our regional partners, and manages property listings.
