Sunday, November 10, 2024

Here’s how James City County is bringing more attention to local businesses

James City County has started a new initiative to feature businesses on their social media accounts. (WYDaily/Twitter)
James City County has started a new initiative to feature businesses on their social media accounts. (WYDaily/Twitter)

Business in James City County is getting even more recognition thanks to this new initiative from the Office of Economic Development.

“I think a lot of businesses have been here for a very long time, so we are proud of the historic legacy,” said Laura Messer, tourism and marketing coordinator for the Office of Economic Development. “I think since some of these businesses have been here for decades, that’s something to share.”

Last Friday, the county announced it would be starting a new initiative to feature county-based businesses on its social media platforms, according to a news release from the county. The Office of Economic Development is one of three departments in the county to have started Facebook and Twitter pages this summer.

The James City County Police Department and Parks and Recreation also started social media pages this summer.

“I definitely think that every channel has grown since the beginning, but we have experienced slow growth in terms of what was launched,” she said. “It’s a niche interest but an important one.”

Messer said the new access into social media was what gave the department the idea to feature businesses on the page.

To be featured, businesses have to complete and submit a survey to the county which will provide the department with information about the business in order to feature it on social media. Messer said the process helps create an equal opportunity for businesses to be featured as opposed to staff picking businesses at random.

“Some people aren’t aware of the different businesses in the community, so this helps to encourage a greater awareness,” she said.

A business’ feature will be based on the information provided through the survey, so the feature could talk about the business’ mission or some of the various opportunities and services they provide.

It will also help show new businesses the positives of locating in James City County as well, Messer said. However, this new initiative is not only for local businesses. It is open to all businesses in the county, including franchises.

Messer said the process has already started, with a variety of businesses submitting surveys. The first feature should be on the department’s social media within the next two weeks.

For more information, visit James City County online.

Alexa Doiron
Alexa Doironhttp://wydaily.com
Alexa Doiron is a multimedia reporter for WYDaily. She graduated from Roanoke College and is currently working on a master’s degree in English at Virginia Commonwealth University. Alexa was born and raised in Williamsburg and enjoys writing stories about local flair. She began her career in journalism at the Warhill High School newspaper and, eight years later, still loves it. After working as a news editor in Blacksburg, Va., Alexa missed Williamsburg and decided to come back home. In her free time, she enjoys reading Jane Austen and playing with her puppy, Poe. Alexa can be reached at alexa@localvoicemedia.com.

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