A Colwood publisher is launching a book series focused on community profiles as a means to generate economic development, and Langford is the first out of the gates.
With a glossy cover and photos and stories of all things good in Langford, B次元官网网址淐ity of Langford, Living the LifestyleB次元官网网址� launched last October when the bowling centre and ice arena opened at City Centre Park.
The book features stories and photos of LangfordB次元官网网址檚 residential growth, recreational highlights and festivals. The idea is for City staff and politicians to use the book as means to help promote the community and draw investment and new businesses.
B次元官网网址淭he idea is a series of landmark books that act as economic development drivers, as promotional tools to back economic development initiatives,B次元官网网址� said Mike Wicks, the author and publisher of the book under Blue Beetle Books. B次元官网网址淲e want to promote the community by telling the story of the community.B次元官网网址�
City officials have been keen to distribute the book at public events, such as LangfordB次元官网网址檚 recent economic forum at Bear Mountain, and the federal E&N rail funding announcement. The City received a 1,000 free copies for distribution.
The economic model behind the book requires 10 B次元官网网址渃ommunity championsB次元官网网址� B次元官网网址� local commercial businesses and property development companies B次元官网网址� to pre-buy 220 copies each, for about $4,750. In return they receive written profiles in the back half of the book.
B次元官网网址淲e donB次元官网网址檛 want advertisements, we want to get out valuable information, for people to read the book and learn about people driving the community,B次元官网网址� said Wicks, the former CEO of the West Shore Chamber of Commerce and who founded West Shore magazine.
Colwood is the next community on the list, with a book expected out in early July. Wicks, who writes much of the copy, will focus on the CityB次元官网网址檚 iconic areas B次元官网网址� the Esquimalt Lagoon, Royal Roads, Fort Rodd Hill, itB次元官网网址檚 golf courses and recreation. HeB次元官网网址檒l also delve into cityB次元官网网址檚 major development at Colwood Corners, now called Capital City Centre.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檒l talk about Solar Colwood, the development of the first learning community,B次元官网网址� Wicks said. B次元官网网址淎bout all the trails and walks and the beach. People donB次元官网网址檛 realize how much they have in Colwood.B次元官网网址�
Wicks launched Blue Beetle Books from his Colwood home in February 2011. He started in publishing as a 19-year-old in London, England, and moved up the ladder to become deputy head of Random House U.K. He moved to Canada in 1992.
In theme of Langford and Colwood, Wicks said a book highlighting Revelstoke is B次元官网网址�85 per cent soldB次元官网网址� and other communities across the country are keeping watch.
B次元官网网址淭hese are the first few to get established. IB次元官网网址檓 in early stages of discussions with other communities on Vancouver Island, in B.C. and Alberta.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淭here is no legal obligation to the city, but we reach out to the city and want them to be involved. They can give them out to promote the community of which we are proud.B次元官网网址�
editor@goldstreamgazette.com
