Developing & Promoting Local Products
SYNOPSIS
This Project explores ways to promote production and sale of “Made in the Mountains of Adventure” products created by local businesses, including farms. The team will investigate ways to better connect visitors and online customers to our local “maker” community — including, but not limited to, art, furniture, textiles, produce and other food products, printed products, aroma products, and so on.
PROJECT STATUS
The “online store” component has been through initial concept discussions, but has not yet begun actual web coding and development. It will likely not be launched until a sufficient variety of local product suppliers and products are committed for sale. A community information and supplier recruitment effort will be needed to precede the launch of an online store, and the concurrent online marketing campaign that will be needed.
OPPORTUNITIES
There are many talented creators in our region, likely more than enough to sustain a successful online store, capable of significant product sales.
CHALLENGES
• Identifying and recruiting local product producers — and assessing products to determine their suitability for online sales — will be a time and people-intensive effort.
• Development of product consignment agreements; standards for product suitability; financial arrangements; and other logistics will be critical.
• A “Made in the Mountains of Adventure” logo will need to be developed, and produced in various forms (e.g., hang tags, stickers, etc.)
• The process for product delivery (“fulfillment”) will also need to be defined; as well as packaging/shipping logistics, capabilities and responsibilities.
PROJECT NEEDS
• A Project Coordinator, with significant online retailing experience, will be needed.
• A community outreach person will be needed, to recruit and vet all product suppliers.
• A fulfillment/logistics coordinator, also with appropriate expertise, will also be needed. Seed funding will be required to get the online store built, stocked, and promoted.