Panorama, which has enjoyed a history of successful collaborations with the EDC, will act as the council’s PR firm of record, helping the council define and communicate to stakeholders the many assets St. Clair County possesses, including its favorable business climate and attractive cost of living benefits.
The two organizations’ relationship was formed in 2001 when Panorama began assisting National Cement, Ragland, Ala. in the development of Blue Springs Nature Preserve, a 147-acre parcel of land donated by National Cement to Ragland for use as an education and recreational nature park. During this time, the St. Clair County Economic Development Council and Panorama started working together on the steering committee to develop the vision and initiative development of the preserve.
Because of the firm’s knowledge of the county and involvement with other local companies, including Jenkins Brick Company, it was natural for Panorama to join forces once more with the St. Clair County EDC for the Partnership for Tomorrow Campaign which took place in 2007. The campaign, a five-year community and economic development initiative created by the EDC to accelerate economic quality growth and development in St. Clair County, more than tripled the council’s funding per year for the next five years.
“Panorama Public Relations has a great depth of expertise in communicating ideas to businesses and consumers, and, because of their strong relationships with several companies and organizations in St. Clair County, they know the area well,” said Ed Gardner Jr., executive director of the council. “We are excited to have Panorama’s assistance in generating awareness of St. Clair County.”
“St. Clair County is equipped with amazing leadership and dynamic vision. They have numerous strengths, including a talented labor pool, natural resources, strong educational facilities and a desirable quality of life, that companies look for,” said Darlene Rotch, president and CEO of Panorama Public Relations.
About St. Clair – Blount Economic Development Council:
The St. Clair County Economic Development Council was created in 1998 with the help of the St. Clair County Commission and the St. Clair County Industrial Development Board. Their goals are to create jobs, increase the tax base and increase the quality of life for the citizens in St. Clair and Blount Counties. Established in 1818, St. Clair County is located at the end of the Appalachian mountain range, in north-central Alabama. With a population of more than 64,000, St. Clair County is the fastest-growing county in the state and is considered a part of the Birmingham-Hoover metropolitan statistical area, the largest in the state. In 2008, the Blount County Commission formed a partnership with the St. Clair County EDC, forming the St. Clair – Blount Economic Development Council
About Panorama Public Relations:
Founded in 1998, Panorama Public Relations is based in Birmingham, Ala., and provides strategic communications services and consulting to clients nationwide, developing messages that resonate with audiences whose actions are critical to successful company operations. Panorama’s areas of practice include issue and crisis communications; community, workforce and media relations; and market entry, merger and acquisition communications. Panorama serves clients in architecture/engineering/construction, retail, health care, human resources, energy, real estate, legal and manufacturing industries. For more information, visit www.prview.com.
