Project 365 Continues to Expand its Reach and Influence (City of Sun Prairie Office of Economic Development)

Project 365 Now on Facebook and Twitter

In response to a growing interest in social media from local residents and businesses, Sun Prairie's Economic Development News Blog and Project 365 will now be accessible via Twitter and Facebook. Links to daily blog posts will be published on both social media sites. This will allow for even wider and faster access to news posts, including updates to the 151-Main St. Interchange construction project. These can be accessed at:

City of Sun Prairie's Project 365 on Facebook





Project 365 SP on Twitter (@SunPrairie365)





Other Sources for Project 365

The Project 365 blog feed is now carried by the following social media outlets:

The Star on Facebook
Sun Prairie Star Twitter
Ken Harwood's Wisconsin Development News
Neil Stechschulte's Profile on LinkedIn.com (for connections only)
Neil Stechschulte's Profile on LoopNet.com

National and Local Interest

Economic Development Director Neil Stechschulte has presented on Project 365 in two national webinars with Frontier Communications and GIS Planning (click here for the presentation). The Wisconsin State Journal featured Stechschulte and Project 365 as a part of their Executive Q&A. He has also spoken to multiple local businesses and organizations about the project and how they can participate. Project 365 is regularly being discussed and cited by economic development professionals around the country as a model application of blogging for economic development. Examples: See Strengthening Brand America's article titled "Make up Your Own Mind on the Role of Social Media," and the Economic Development Professionals group on LinkedIn: "How Important is it for an EDO to Have a Blog?"

Project 365 Approaches Half Way Point

Watch for an update of blog traffic statistics from Google Analytics on or around July 1st. It is also anticipated that July will feature stories and profiles on business park companies and other major employers.

Economic Development Blogging for Business in Minutes - Free Webinar from GIS Planning (City of Sun Prairie/GIS Planning)

Does blogging create results? Does it take too much time? Can any economic developer do it?

Neil Stechschulte, City of Sun Prairie, WI (pop. 29,134), gives the answers to how he set up his blog in one morning that has generated thousands of visits from all 50 states and 88 countries. He will also discuss his innovative new "Project 365" to promote positive local business news. Learn how to set up a blog with free software, and gain content ideas and marketing tips to reach the right audience.

Sign up now for this free webinar on Wednesday, March 23 at 1 PM Eastern/10 AM Pacific.

This free webinar is being hosted and facilitated by GIS Planning.

https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/408057130

THRIVE to Host Training on Economic Development Software Resources on March 10th, 2011

THRIVE will host a training session on March 10th for area public sector economic development representatives, chambers of commerce staff, and other economic development organizations on the Synchronist business retention software and ZoomProspector, the new statewide buildings and properties database being rolled out this spring. Synchronist is produced by Blaine Canada Ltd., and ZoomProspector is produced by GIS Planning. Both initiatives represent tremendous leaps forward for economic development practitioners in the Madison region.

The training will be held at Edgewood College. Interested parties should contact THRIVE at (608) 443-1962 for additional information.

Blogger's Note: I currently chair the steering committee for the Business Link group through THRIVE that will be using Synchronist as our retention and expansion survey tool. Watch for additional information later this summer.