Historic Little Italy Marketing Committee

This Committee would be responsible for creating and marketing a new image of  Historic Little Italy to its residents, the City, the region, the State, and eventually the nation. Relationships with existing organizations within the City that market Erie are critical. As Historic Little Italy is revitalized, this Committee should encourage and promote its inclusion in other City-wide venues. Some activities for this Committee and the Neighborhood Manager include:

	Enhancing existing and establishing new entertainment and tourism venues. As the neighborhood transitions into a viable economic area, this Committee should identify new entertainment venues that can successfully and frequently attract local residents, as well as outsiders, into the neighborhood. This will be especially important as the developments mentioned elsewhere in this report are completed. HLI should work with other Erie neighborhoods and Downtown Erie to coordinate events and establish new events and promotional activities, and to extend existing activities into the Historic Little Italy neighborhood.
	Coordinating with other providers to sponsor educational and cultural events for residents. As mentioned earlier, several organizations already provide excellent services to the neighborhood. HLI should be intricately aware of all the services being provided and assure that residents are guided toward the appropriate providers to meet their needs. Working together, this Committee and these providers should continue to offer new and needed opportunities for local residents to improve their situations, expand their opportunities, and enjoy the best cultural and educational events possible.
	Working with St. Paul’s Church Parish Council. As a hallmark of the neighborhood, St. Paul’s Church has a lot to offer to, and a lot to gain from, this revitalization effort. Working together, the Parish Council and this Committee should solicit support and participation from the parishioners, most of whom are former residents of the neighborhood. Programs to “buy a bench” (tree, brick, light, planter, etc.) in memory or honor of parishioners who were former residents of the neighborhood, could be attractive to parishioners and beneficial to the revitalization efforts. In addition, new parishioners from the neighborhood should be recruited.
	Ensuring communication within and outside the neighborhood. In order to be successful, this Committee must communicate its activities, its vision and goals, and its accomplishments with the neighborhood, the City, and other partners.
	Promoting joint advertising and promotions among local businesses. Working with neighborhood retailers and/or wholesalers, this Committee should strive to promote joint advertising among similar or complimentary businesses that would save advertising dollars and reach wider audiences. Special promotions for the neighborhood should be encouraged, along with special events and activities.
	Initiating a “Shop Local” campaign. As the neighborhood becomes more economically viable, a “Shop Local” campaign should be strongly promoted to make everyone in the neighborhood aware of the services and products that are available locally, and to encourage local businesses to purchase good and services from other local businesses.
	Creating a program (as mentioned above) to “buy a bench (tree, brick, flower pot, street light)” and encourage former and current residents to purchase and dedicate these design elements to a loved one, famous Italian American person, or themselves. Dedicating green spaces, pocket parks, benches, etc. to former Italian American residents who have achieved some success could also provide some program funding.