Part of the "RIVER RATS" initiative
Create a centralized regional riverfront coalition serving as a “one-stop shop” for river-related activities across the greater Augusta community, including Augusta-Richmond County, Columbia County, Aiken, and North Augusta. The coalition would coordinate stakeholders, create a consistent brand identity for the river, provide public information about river assets, help reduce silos among existing groups, support riverfront project advocacy, maintain a website and marketing campaigns, host monthly roundtable discussions, and serve as a record keeper and connector for riverfront efforts.
Tracks public communication about potential riverfront projects.
Tracks establishment of a social media and event master calendar so coalition groups coordinate marketing efforts.
Tracks establishment of a staff person from a partner agency to serve as administrative assistant.
Tracks development of mission statement, strategic plans, and goals.
Tracks creation of the regional riverfront coalition.
Tracks short-term annual budget.
Tracks development of marketing campaigns and assets to be used by area partners with one cohesive message.
Tracks identification of a part-time staff member within the coalition structure.
Tracks Richmond County likely partnerships and resources.
Tracks facilitation and promotion of riverfront projects.
Tracks establishment of the working group.
Tracks identification of target markets.
Tracks identification of a leading organization.
Tracks connecting stakeholders together around riverfront projects.
Tracks South Carolina likely partnerships and resources.
Tracks website creation.
Tracks rebranding of the entire riverfront under the coalition.
Tracks execution of the multi-pronged strategic plan.
Tracks stakeholder groups working together in successful partnership.
Tracks creation of logo and identity.
Tracks engagement of City of Augusta, area non-profits, and businesses in conversation about Augusta and the river.
Tracks in-kind employee time used to establish the working group and ground rules for organizations.
Tracks execution of the branding strategy.
Tracks identification of a branding point person within the coalition.
Tracks long-term annual budget.
Tracks inclusion of new participants while involving longstanding community supporters.
Tracks public and stakeholder access to information about river resources, assets, recreation, venue rentals, and more.
Tracks consistent brand identity for the river and overall strategic plan.
Tracks upfront cost for new website and marketing efforts.
Tracks possible funding opportunities listed for the coalition.
Tracks development of a branding strategy for the Regional Riverfront Coalition.
Tracks creation of a centralized one-stop shop for river-related activities.
Tracks advocacy for river improvement projects focused on connectivity to the river and recreational opportunities.
Tracks identification of a core organizing committee.
Tracks the coalition serving as a sounding board for ongoing and potential projects.
Tracks refinement of branding message to hit target markets.
Tracks hiring of an Executive Director and transition into the coalition becoming its own entity.
Tracks stronger sense of place and recognition of the river’s importance in the community.
Tracks creation of committees to execute bi-state river-focused cohesive mission action items.
Tracks long-term budget support for an Executive Director, general operating budget, events, programming, and marketing.
Tracks identification of funding opportunities for riverfront projects.
Tracks encouragement of tourism opportunities while maintaining the riverfront’s overall image.
Tracks assignment of committee tasks to execute mission-specific action items.
Tracks branding research, public input gathering, and collection of case studies from similar coalitions.
Tracks establishment of coalition name, membership rules, strategic plan, mission statement, and values.
Tracks Columbia County likely partnerships and resources.
Upfront cost for new website and marketing efforts: approximately $20,000; short-term budget: additional $30,000 per year, including paying for the time of a part-time staff person from a member organization to serve as administrator, subsidized office rental, bills, printing, etc.; long-term annual budget: $115,000 per year, including an executive director, more substantial general operating budget, and additional events, programming, and marketing budget.