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Editorial: Welcoming Ambassadors
Op-Ed · May 12, 2016
We hope the community will tip its collective hat the Main Street West Branch’s new Community Ambassadors program, a welcome wagon of sorts to introduce a variety of community representatives to the owners and managers of new businesses, or established businesses marking new milestones.
MSWB Program Director Kevin Rogers spearheaded this simple yet meaningful idea to gather for about 10 to 15 minutes at a new business, make introductions, chat about the new or changing business, present a small gift and cut a ceremonial ribbon.
“(It’s) a small way to thank the business owner(s) for investing their money, time and talent in the community,” Rogers said.
He further points out that it is “not specifically focused” on Main Street businesses, but is a community-wide approach. Two aspects of the new effort were demonstrated in the first two events: one took place at the new Casey’s General Store at the Interstate 80 interchange, the other marked the relocation of Main Street Sweets.
The Community Ambassadors program promotes good will, builds familiarity and promotes a partnership attitude that is prevalent in the city. It is the kind of thing a new business owner would want to know: That they are welcome.
The West Branch Times published photographs of the first two events and plans to cover more in the future, and we think readers seeing the names and faces of the new owners will make it easier for them to decide to shop local. That, of course, is one of the best ways to make a new business feel welcome.
So thank you, Main Street West Branch and Director Rogers, for extending one of the first formal hands of welcome and congratulations to businesses starting up or growing in this community.
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