Tri-County Economic Development Alliance « Sturges Word Communications

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Client:	Tri-County Economic Development Alliance
Program:	Issue advocacy and grassroots mobilization campaign

Challenge
Built in 2001 as a state-of-the-art, maximum-security prison, the Thomson Correctional Center in Thomson, Ill., sat empty for nearly a decade as a result of budget shortfalls and political infighting. After years of lobbying the state to open the facility, the mayor of Thomson contacted the White House and suggested it as the site for housing terrorism suspects currently held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. In October 2009, the Obama Administration announced that Thomson was its preferred location. For the plan to move forward, a special legislative commission had to hold a public hearing and issue a ruling, and the governor had to agree to sell the prison to the federal government.

Community groups and local elected officials from both parties overwhelmingly supported the idea and the desperately needed financial boost it would bring to the economically depressed region. However, statewide and national politicians and special interest groups exploited the issue to score political points and media exposure. The proposal and hearing were covered by dozens of local, regional and national media outlets.

Solution
With just a few days notice, Sturges Word quickly developed and launched a communication program designed to organize and mobilize grassroots community support at the hearing. The program included:

Creating the collateral materials, signage and branded clothing to advance the message.

Proactive media relations and social media program to mobilize support and increase turnout.

Direct outreach to key community influencers and organizations to mobilize their membership bases.

Writing the official testimony delivered by the president of the organization before a special legislative committee at a hearing that was covered by dozens of local, regional and national media outlets.

Preparing spokesperson for interviews with local, regional and national media.

Results
The community turned out at the hearing in force, providing a peaceful and respectful counter demonstration to the often disrespectful and disruptive tactics of opponents. While the legislative panel was divided largely along party lines, strong community pressure resulted in one legislator breaking with his party to support the proposal. As a result, the panel voted 7-4 in favor, giving the plan an important endorsement. The project is moving forward, and when finished, will infuse more than $1 billion in economic activity into the region.