Cornell City Council - Lack of marketing is the issue to bringing more in

By Ginna Young

Bringing more people into Cornell is important to the city council, whether through tourism or new business opportunities. The matter was discussed May 16, during a regular meeting, about the need for someone to drive ahead to promote what Cornell has to offer.

In just a few meetings with interested parties and a representative from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, council member Sandy Schecklman has seen what is a stepping stone to revitalizing the downtown.

“Cornell’s not marketed well,” she said. “There’s really nothing highlighting what we have here.

Through the community development group, Schecklman is working with businesses to get signs installed, to let people know what is offered downtown, but she also feels the city needs to hire someone to make and distribute brochures, or work on the website.

“It’s not anything that has to be ongoing,” said Schecklman. “It’s just somebody’s got to take the time, the creativity to do it.”

Several avenues will be looked into for promotion of the parks, trails and many businesses in the city, which provide necessary services and recreation opportunities.

Council member Bill Kvapil reported that while the Cornell Area ATV Club was going ahead with trying to get the last couple hundred feet of road opened for ATV/UTV travel on County Hwy. CC, that has been put on hold. The city already approved opening Park Road to State Hwy. 64 and County Hwy. CC.

“We have decided to let the highway (department) handle it, take the lead on it,” said Kvapil. “It sounds good though, that it will pass, for a July opening.”

It was also reported that the new security camera system has been installed at Mill Yard Park, and is up and running.

“I’m really happy about that,” said mayor Mark Larson.