Firm sought to create downtown logo

    Presque Isle – The Presque Isle Downtown Revitalization Committee is seeking a marketing firm to develop a logo and tagline for downtown Presque Isle. Incorporating the theme of “The Star City,” usage of the logo and tagline will be widespread, serving as a visual representation and symbol of recognition for area residents, business owners and the public.     The downtown branding project is a collaborative effort between the city of Presque Isle and the Presque Isle Downtown Revitalization Committee, which is coordinating the branding and marketing efforts of Presque Isle’s forward-moving community in the city’s downtown area. This is the first initiative of the new year by the Downtown Revitalization Committee and is being coordinated by the organization’s Promotions Subcommittee.
    Written proposals will be reviewed and selected firms will be invited to develop presentations relating to the logo, tagline and marketing plan to come before the PIDRC’s Promotions Committee as well as select members of the PIDRC executive board. The involved process will roll out in the first quarter of the new year and include input from the downtown business community as well as the public at large, who will be invited to future forums to help the selected design firm gather information to develop logo and slogan options for the city. Ultimately, a public vote will decide the new image of the Star City’s downtown from options developed by the selected firm and reviewed by the Committee.
    “The Presque Isle Downtown Revitalization Committee is excited to take this next step toward establishing the city’s downtown Presque Isle brand that will help to reaffirm the area as an important destination spot and reinforce the downtown area as an integral part of the Star City,” said Cathy Beaulieu, chair of the PIRDC. “We also look forward to a very inclusive process that will hopefully build additional community interest and excitement in what is happening downtown.”   
    Marketing firms located in the Presque Isle area and throughout Aroostook County are encouraged to e-mail rfp@pidrc.org to receive a copy of the Request for Proposal or call Beaulieu at 764-0309 for additional information. Proposals postmarked no later than Friday, Jan. 23, 2009, must be submitted to: Presque Isle Downtown Revitalization Committee, 411 Main St., Presque Isle, ME  04769.
    In the spring of 2006, an energetic group of businesspeople and residents banded together to re-establish downtown Presque Isle as a destination spot for people throughout Aroostook County and beyond. Upon its creation, the Presque Isle Downtown Revitalization Committee decided that two basic issues needed to be addressed: a short-term goal of making Main Street more attractive and inviting, and a long-term goal of bringing foot traffic, retail business and vitality back to the downtown area. Since that time, officials have helped to oversee successful Main Street beautification efforts, host exciting cultural and community events and attract several new businesses to the downtown area. The Presque Isle Downtown Revitalization Committee is now an official committee established by ordinance by the City Council and serves as a citizen advisory board to the Council.