Commission reviews new economic development website; staff says site is live and editable

The Lawrence City Commission received a demonstration of the city’s new economic development website and marketing materials during its Feb. 4 work session.

Corey Wallace, the city’s director of communications and community relations, told commissioners the website is a launched, editable product that began under the city’s prior economic development director. "This process began in August of 20 24 under the leadership and direction of Bridal Crum Kano" and the vendor selected was "Encore," Wallace said. He said the site was intended to be updated as the city's economic strategy evolves.

Wallace said the site groups content for site selectors and small businesses, including available properties, business parks, community data, taxes and infrastructure. He noted collaboration with local partners: "We did include the Economic Development Corporation alongside the Chamber in kind of building the content of the site, so it reflects a collaborative effort." The site also links to local small-business resources such as the KU Small Business Development Center and CORE.

Commissioners tested the site and asked staff to add direct links from partner tiles to partners’ sites and to flag properties that fall inside incentive areas such as opportunity zones. One commissioner said a click-through to partner sites would be useful; Wallace replied it was "an easy fix" and within the site’s scope. Another asked that properties in opportunity zones be identified on the interactive map so site users could see which parcels are in incentive areas; Wallace said that marked designations would be a strategic decision but that the change was "an easy fix from a communications perspective."

Wallace said a primary design goal was ease of updating by city staff: "the vendors that are getting the most robust business are the ones that empower you to make as many changes as you can internally." He encouraged commissioners to preview the site and said the incoming economic development director would serve as the direct contact for businesses using the site.

There was no extended public comment on the item. During troubleshooting earlier in the meeting, public commenter Steve( n) Watts—after audio issues were resolved—said he noticed a "gross improvement" in Zoom participant experience.

City staff said the website is intended as the start of a conversation with prospective employers and local entrepreneurs; it provides property listings, community information and links to partner resources and can be refined to show incentive designations and other strategic markers.

The commission did not take formal action on the presentation; staff said the page will be updated per commissioners’ requests and remain editable in-house.

Less critical details: Wallace emphasized that the site is search-optimized and that additional edits will follow as the city’s economic strategy is refined. He credited former staff leadership for initiating the project.