SOUTHWICK — As early as this spring, residents will start seeing bright reds signs around town promoting Southwick, which is the Economic Development Commission’s most recent initiative to brand the town as a recreation destination.
“This project is to introduce them to other places in town… and what they can do here,” said EDC chair Greg Deily referring to “them” as the people who when driving through town may only see what’s on College Highway.
For Deily, and the EDC, the branding message is simple: “Enjoy Southwick,” which is the message the bright red signs will be emblazoned with.
And there is plenty to enjoy, he said, like boating and fishing on Congamond Lakes, biking and walking on the Southwick Rail Trail, hiking the Sofinowski Preserve or the New England Trail, golfing at the town’s three golf courses, casual dining at the over 30 restaurants and shopping.
The plan is to hang the 2-foot-long and 1-foot-wide signs along College Highway and entrances to places that have kiosks, like Granville Gorge and the rail trail.
The EDC will also have smaller signs printed that can be displayed in businesses’ windows, he said.
On the signs will be a QR code that when captured by a cell phone will take people to an EDC website that has a list of all the activities that can be found in town, he said.
“We’ve got all these resources, and we bring it all together on one site,” he said, adding that the site has already had about 1,200 unique visitors and 4,000 pages views since it went several months ago.
He also said the site is formatted to make it user friendly for those using mobile devices.
While parts of the website are still under development, it offers anyone who visits a snapshot of the town with its history, a shopping guide, business listings, resources for small and large businesses, and advice for those wanting to start a business.
Over the last several months, Deily, with the blessing of the EDC, has been presenting the commission’s signage project, and some of its other long-term goals, to several of the town’s commissions and committees.
“They’re all on board,” Deily said about the commissions and committees.
He said the signs will be paid for by EDC funds, not the town’s taxpayers.
“The EDC has [funds] its raised in the past… it won’t cost [taxpayers] anything,” he said.
The EDC is waiting on quotes for the cost of the signs from two town businesses that can produce them, he said.
Exactly where the first signs will be installed has yet to be determined, but Deily said they should be up by the spring.
Down the road, Deily said the commission has plans to have a printed brochure to also promote the town.
