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Darke County Economic Development…
CNO… a different kind of start-up
Editor: County News
Online was featured in the March issue of the Darke County Economic
Development Office. CNO thanks Economic Development Director Marc Saluk
and assistant Melanie Nealeigh for sharing CNO’s story with the
office’s business and other interested subscribers. The story…
There’s a “new kid in town,” offering a new kind of opportunity to the
community, local businesses and Darke County young people.
The “kid” is County News Online, just a year old in January. It’s
unique in that it is owned and operated by a not-for-profit, the Senior
Scribes Scholarship Fund, that provides a community service and helps
local students with their college expenses. It has also blossomed into
a new local business.
CNO offers news, sports, opinion and other community information. It
includes a sampling of what’s happening in Ohio and across the country,
as well as some perspectives about those events.
“We make no claim to being able to cover all local news and events,”
said Editor Bob Robinson. “We are a volunteer service. Other than the
stories written by CNO Sports Editor George Starks, a few dedicated
volunteers and me, we provide our local information through submissions
from businesses, elected officials, government agencies and community
organizations.”
He added, however, that the service seems to have been embraced by the
community. Since its inception in January 2011, it has grown from about
7,000 page views monthly to nearly 80,000 a month in February 2012.
Readership is focused in Darke County but also has attracted the
attention of readers in surrounding areas, from the Miami Valley to
Columbus.
“County News Online is a fundraising arm of SSSF,” Robinson said. “It
was started to raise funds for scholarships to Darke County teens going
into higher education in a communications-related field.
“This requires sponsors. To local businesses we offer display space
that not only lets the community know they support what we are doing,
but allows them to promote their services and products to our readers.
Also, a new opportunity has been added for individuals and businesses
to make annual donations. There is no set fee for donations; any amount
will be appreciated and acknowledged on our Sponsors page, or they may
donate anonymously.”
Robinson said that CNO is looking for individuals or companies to help with its fundraising efforts.
“No organization can achieve its long-term goals without a realistic
marketing program. This requires people and a plan. We are looking for
ideas and a willingness to help us develop CNO into a long-term
opportunity for our young people,” Robinson said. “We would love for a
community-minded company to roll up its collective shirt sleeves and
partner with us to help plan for that growth.
“Help us help serve our community by serving its future leaders,” he said.
Got some ideas? Want to help? Drop a line to Robinson at editor@countynewsonline.org.
Subscribe to the Darke County Economic Development Office newsletter,
plus get a reply email of this one in its entirety, by contacting
Melanie Nealeigh at mnealeigh@darkecounty.com
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