Testimonial:
"CityImage was instrumental in helping to give us an accurate view of the way we were portraying ourselves. Tom has helped us develop a communications plan that will: 1.) Highlight the best of what's going on in Fort Dodge;  2.) Inform our residents and businesses of happenings within the city; and 3.) Uses the technology we have on hand in innovative ways to reach as many of our citizens as possible.

With the results of CityImage's study in hand, we now have a communications blueprint we can use to redefine ourselves for the future."

Katie Kahler, City of Fort Dodge, Iowa

Building an image for Fort Dodge

By JESSE HELLING, Fort Dodge Messenger staff writer Whether selling soft drinks, shoes, or a city, image is key.

Selling businesses and employees on the Fort Dodge area will fall in part on the image and appearance committee of the R.A. Smith Study implementation structure.

‘‘It’s a very daunting task,’’ said committee Co-chairman Ed Shimkat Jr.

One deficiency identified by the Smith study was that Fort Dodge and Webster County are perceived as rough and unkempt — and combating that mindset is part of what Shimkat’s committee hopes to accomplish.

Among the first things the committee plans to do is create a new logo for Fort Dodge.

According to Shimkat, the logo could incorporate representations of area landmarks or other notable features. To help design the logo, the committee is working with CityImage of Hastings, Minn.

‘‘Our ultimate goal is to come up with two or three rock-solid ideas and run them up the flag pole,’’ Shimkat said, then allow members of the public to decide which design they prefer.

The design ultimately selected could be seen throughout the city, said Shimkat.

‘‘We envision adding the logo to police cars and water towers so that its visible throughout the city,’’ he said.

Committee members are also discussing other opportunities to market the area, including promotional material highlighting the positive attributes of the area, he said.

‘‘We’re trying to get people to feel better about the community,’’ Shimkat said. ‘‘The people of Fort Dodge are the marketers of Fort Dodge.’’

Shimkat likens the committee he helps lead to the ‘‘cheerleaders’’ for the area.

‘‘We tend to get down on ourselves and fall under the ‘grass is greener on the other side’ mentality,’’ Shimkat said. ‘‘People get kind of caught in a rut. What we’re trying to say is ’Hey, let’s be positive and move the community forward and not go backwards’.’’