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City of Dublin allocates funding to promote local businesses


March 1, 2021 Dublin, Georgia: In July of 2020, the City of Dublin announced it would allocate part of its CARES Act funding to reposition its tourism marketing to increase awareness among travelers. The City of Dublin was one of the first municipalities in Georgia to approve such funding. The move earned the unanimous approval of city council.


“As Chairman of Visit Dublin GA, I have had the honor and privilege to work alongside Rebecca Johnson and Miriam Ponton for the last eight years. These ladies have an unparalleled commitment and passion for OUR community. As a member of the Dublin City Council, I am beyond pleased that we are able to allocate CARES Act funding to Visit Dublin GA that will supplement the organization’s budget to allow for the implementation of the OPEN WIDE advertising campaign that will highlight the restaurants and businesses in Dublin and Laurens County,” Bill Brown said.


Visit Dublin GA hired a local photographer, Kamala Gladle, to capture images of local eateries, retailers, and other attractions following COVID guidelines for the Wide Open campaign and began contracting with state and regional print and digital publishers to push the message. That messaging went live in February with digital campaigns featuring MLK Monument Park, First African Baptist Church, Established, Holy Smokes BBQ, Saltwater Fishery, Deano’s Italian, Company Supply, and more.


“Everyone at Company Supply is extremely thankful for the exposure that funding provided through the Cares Act by the City of Dublin will provide. Everyone, especially the restaurant industry has taken a hit, in some capacity, because of COVID. Our job is to serve, and to serve, we need our guests, locally and regionally, to know we’re open and ready to offer an exceptional dining experience to them. Our employee’s livelihoods depend on it, our kids’ livelihoods depend on it, and the economy’s well being depends on it. We want people to know we’re back to work, we’re here to stay, and we’re open wide!” Richard Mascaro, owner of Company Supply.

Print ads will begin appearing in the March in Atlanta magazine and Georgia Travel Guide. New brochures and rack cards will be available beginning in April.

For media requests, please contact:
Rebecca Johnson
Visit Dublin GA
rebecca@visitdublinga.org
478-272-4002

Miriam Lewis

Once upon a time, a serial reader of Little Women and Little House On The Prairie, Miriam Lewis has harnessed her love of great storytelling, beautiful photography, and good people, and bundled it into a big package that is Executive Director of Visit Dublin GA. As a destination veteran Miriam joined Visit Dublin GA in 2015. She oversees Dublin Visitors Center operations & staff and Dublin and Laurens County’s marketing communications while leading strategic initiatives to maintain and strengthen the tourism industry in Dublin. Her favorite work hobbies include making good old fashioned paper lists (plural), reminding staff to take their breaks (they sometimes listen), quality checking local eats (she’ll quickly suggest goat curry or tongue tacos), and building relationships which become links in partnership across the state, boosting an economic engine for the Laurens County community.