The Utah Association of Counties contracted BWP to develop their brand and create a marketing campaign and messaging to educate the public about local government. Here are some of the results of our research for their marketing campaign.
The Closest Level of Government to the People
The notion of a county originated in the middle ages, when they were called shires. American colonists adopted the idea, and today county government is the closest level of government to the people. The Utah Association of Counties recently launched a new website detailing the notion of Why Counties Matter.
A Wide Range of Service Areas
Utah’s county governments, working alone and in cooperation with other governments at the municipal, state and national levels, develop innovative and successful programs in a wide range of service areas, including arts and historic preservation, children and youth, community and economic development, corrections, county administration, emergency management, environmental protection, health, human services, libraries, parks and recreation, transportation, volunteers and many more.
County Services Vary by County
While each of Utah’s 29 counties differ somewhat in the services they provide, each county government is organized around the needs and desires of the communities served. Animal services, for instance, in the rural counties is different from the way it works in the urban areas. It all depends on the needs of the citizens who live there.
Important Documents
Perhaps you got married recently, renewed your passport or had to pickup a copy of your birth certificate. Those services are offered mostly through County Clerk’s office. Local government works because it provides services that folks depend on, and recognizes what local people need, like fire prevention and search and rescue.
Recreation and Health
When you think back on all the fun your family has had at the county recreation center, you’ll realize many areas where county government intersects with your life story again and again. Family health and senior services provide support to citizens throughout their life spans, including home delivered meals and activity centers. Health departments also offer flu shots, child and travel immunizations and oversee waste management to name a few of the contributions that impact health and wellness.
Tourism and Economic Development
Community development, tourist attractions, parks and recreation make our lives more enjoyable and support economic growth. County services from emergency management to road repair and maintenance bring tremendous value to each of our lives.
Where the Rubber Meets the Road
With America’s system of federalism, counties are a key component of government. It’s truly local government and it works well because it’s the closest level of government to the people. At BWP, we think of it as where the rubber meets the road. Visit the Utah Association of Counties website, WhyCountiesMatter.org to find out more about your local county government services and see more of their marketing campaign ideas.