Sherburne County is the benefactor of a college marketing project, presented to the board of commissioners at their Wednesday workshop.

 

Three St. Cloud State University marketing and economics students met with the commissioners for a half hour, explaining their project and how it could help the county in marketing itself.

 

They were accompanied by their instructor, Professor Barry Kirchoff, director of the Central Minnesota Region of the Small Business Development Center in St. Cloud.

Presenting were the three students - Chris Damasin, Tiffanie Downare and Brahn Olson.

 

Their three “deliverables” from the project were an external facing and interactive PDF on the county, an information booklet on county services, plus a quick brochure for easy handout.

 

Their objectives with the project were to develop written materials that were aesthetically pleasing and to highlight critical aspects of Sherburne County.

 

They began their work by soliciting information and opinions from county residents, most noteworthy, a slogan from the 600 persons surveyed.

 

 “On th Growing Edge - A Great Place to Work & Play,” was that cited as the most popular of slogans depicting the county.

 

The students spent time explaining lifestyles attributed to residents of the county - that they were young, upwardly mobile, country casuals, of fast-track aspirations and for some, “Mayberry-like” slower-pace small town conditions.

 

Past census demographics were incorporated into their report on county residents - and from some statistics, interesting comparisons could be drawn.

 

   Big Lake and Becker continue to be home to the youngest in Sherburne County, with a median age at an identical 33.2 years. Zimmerman, Elk River, Princeton, St. Cloud, Princeton and Clear Lake follow, with ages up to 40.6 years.

 

Clear Lakers enjoy the highest median income of all communities, at $79,300, followed by Big Lake, $74,000; Elk River, $72,700; Becker, $71,200; Zimmerman, $70,800; Princeton, $58,000; and St. Cloud, $35,900 (the result of a large shared college age population).

 

What did the students find out about county residents? They embrace the outdoor amenities, sustainability of services, location in proximity to the Twin Cities, the family friendliness and a sharp business edge from its economic sector.

 

Those were a few highlights of the students’ presentation, which drew a unanimous vote of confidence and appreciation from the commissioners. 

 

“I’m glad your work shows the relationship between education and economics of the area,” said Commissioner Rachel Leonard of Zimmerman. 

 

Commissioner Bruce Anderson credited the group with a well-done project that will be of service to the county.

 

Kirchoff, their director, said the Sherburne County project was one of seven his students have done in the recent past, including a profile for the new and proposed Sherburne Farm Friends Barn for Becker.

 

Their work for Sherburne County was coordinated by County Planner Dan Weber.