The Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission board decided to take a bold new approach in its efforts to brand the community, agreeing at its monthly meeting Wednesday to a $150,150 contract proposal with an Atlanta-based communications firm.

"We're a community that does not know how to sell itself," EDC President Ted Clem said. "This is one of the biggest investments the EDC has ever made, but this is one of the biggest challenges we've ever taken on."

The EDC board voted to finance the yearlong contract with Lattimer Communications of Atlanta through some $200,000 in reserve funds it previously earmarked as part of an aggressive campaign to utilize the so-called basics of economic development in the community: recruitment, retention and renewal.

"This is different from traditional economic development, but it's right on," Chamber of Commerce board member Jay Smith said. "This is good stuff."

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