Chamber Launches Website for Newcomers

Media Alert
February 24, 2009

The Greater Killeen Chamber of Commerce has launched a new website – New2Killeen.org. The website is designed to be a portal for newcomers to connect with the community.

The nitty-gritty:

• New2Killeen.org
• Facebook.com/New2Killeen
• Twitter.com/New2Killeen

In 2009, Rebecca Ryan, of Next Generation Consulting, produced a report titled, “Talent 2030: How Central Texas Can Retain and Attract its Future Workforce.” One of the recommendations in the report is to create a newcomers website. Rebecca writes,

“Because of the high number of residents who transplant to Central Texas, the region’s leaders must intentionally design resources and experiences to connect newcomers to community resources and peer groups. This will help businesses, educational institutions, the military, and others engage and retain newcomers and their families.”

New2Killeen.org is a fully branded, interactive experience. Not only is there cursory information about utilities, schools, and vehicle registration, but there are also several interactive elements, including:

User Forum – Newcomers and residents alike can ask questions of the new2killeen.org community and get answers from people like themselves, not marketers.

Bloggers – Currently there are four bloggers who will connect website viewers to Killeen in diverse and exciting ways.

Interactive Maps – Shopping areas, kids activities, restaurants and many other areas of interest to the newcomer are integrated with Google Maps to allow the user to browse the local community in an interactive and familiar way.

Interactive Content – Website users can submit their recommendations to any page, creating content that functions more like a Wiki than a static marketing piece.

New2Killeen.org will be an active site with new information added regularly. The Chamber is confident that newcomers will find the website useful and entertaining.

In order to support the project, advertising space is available. Visit New2Killeen.org/ads for more information.

I hope you enjoy the website!

Jonathan Packer
Director of Marketing and Research
Greater Killeen Chamber of Commerce
jpacker@gkcc.com | 254.526.9551