FROM NEWS HERALD
With the western campus of a school of science and math coming to Morganton and a focus on STEM education, Burke County is looking to promote itself with a brand.
Burke County Manager Bryan Steen said he chose VanNoppen Marketing based in Morganton around mid-July to do the branding campaign for the county. That was after putting out a Request for Quotes and getting back 10 responses.
Steen said the cap on spending to get a brand is $3,500. He would like to present the branding for county commissioners’ consideration and approval possibly as part of the September meeting.
He said he mentioned coming up with a brand for Burke County to board Chairman Jeff Brittain and Vice-Chairman Johnnie Carswell in June due to significant events occurring in the county and the need to capitalize on them. Those significant events include North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics final western campus location decision, Continental’s expansion and the expansion of mechatronics at Western Piedmont Community College, Steen said.
He said there are a lot of things coming together in the county and they want something that will set Burke County apart.
Steen said he thinks Burke County needs a brand to advertize the county as progressive and advancing.
“Because right now, we don’t have a brand,” Steen said.
With a focus on science, technology, engineering and mathematics, kids who have grown up in Burke County will be able to make a career here, Steen said.
“We have a unique community and we need a brand that reflects that,” Steen said.
VanNoppen Marketing, which Allen VanNoppen owns, has done branding for Burke Primary Care, Lake James Realty, Downtown Morganton, Burke County Tourism, CoMPAS Cable, Historic Valdese, the Town of Drexel, Table Rock Pharmacy and Morganton Day School, according to the company’s website.
