Wauconda officials planning fundraising for signs
Wauconda officials are looking to the community to help fund the installation of new gateway signs throughout the village.
Four sponsorship levels have been proposed under a plan reviewed Tuesday by the village board’s communications committee.
Businesses, groups or residents that contribute at least $250, $500, $1,000 or $2,000 would be featured on the village website and in an email newsletter and be promoted in other ways, depending on the level of the pledge.
For example, the name of a $1,000 donor would be featured on decorative street banners along Route 176, Main Street, or other roadways, said Linda Krajniak, the village’s director of economic and community development. A $2,000 donor would receive that reward and a feature story in the fall newsletter.
Officials hope to raise more than $10,000 for the gateway signs, directional signs and banners.
A letter about the promotion will be sent to local business owners, an economic advisory group, the chamber of commerce, school leaders and other agencies.
“I hope the community will come out and support us,” said Trustee Linda Starkey, the committee’s leader.
The decorative signs aren’t just being considered for Wauconda’s downtown area. Mayor Mark Knigge recommended placing signs near some residential developments, and Trustee Chuck Black suggested included the town’s industrial areas.
“Tie them all in,” Black said. “It’s a way (to say) you’re one of us.”
The committee will discuss the plan again June 4. Officials hope to roll out the program soon after.
The committee also discussed a still-developing marketing plan for the village. Wauconda is among the suburbs considering a promotional plan to build a brand that could lure tourists and potential businesses.
Brochures, baseball caps and T-shirts were among the ideas discussed Tuesday.
The board will discuss the plan at a future committee-of-the-whole meeting.