Windsor marketing campaign promises ‘start of something good’

Windsor is touting its relative youthfulness and family-friendly reputation in a new campaign designed to attract business as well as showcase existing merchants.

A website unveiled this week by the Town of Windsor highlights a cross-section of commercial activity that includes an emerging “beverage district” along Bell Road, next to the Town Green, consisting of wine and beer makers, a distiller and cider house.

The branding effort uses the tag lines “The start of something good” and “The Town of Windsor, founded now” to promote the community of 27,721 people as a way to attract employers, tourists and bolster business.

“It’s an important next step for Windsor to reach out to business communities and businesses that create jobs locally,” Mayor Mark Millan said Friday.

Incorporated in 1992, Windsor is the youngest city in Sonoma County, although the downtown area dates back to the 1870s as a stop along the San Francisco North Pacific rail line.

The new website, at discoverwindsor.com, cites Sonoma County Economic Development Board statistics showing Windsor had the highest 2014 household median income in the county, $76,492. It has one of the youngest demographics, with a median age of 38.

That, along with a combination of support services for business, helps make Windsor attractive?in the eyes of town boosters.

“It’s a good opportunity for families to grow and establish themselves, as well as for the business community,” said Robert Ramirez, Windsor’s economic development manager.

The website and short videos give a brief insight into the business community and cost about $20,000 to produce, according to Ramirez.

It features the growing beverage sector, a cluster of producers that includes Sonoma Brothers Distillery, Tilted Shed Ciderworks, Colagrossi Wines, and St. Florian’s Brewery, although Ramirez said more wine tasting rooms are on the way.

Other featured businesses are Castaneda’s Market, Rumba Cuban Kitchen and BurtoNZ Bakery.

“We wanted to make sure we were really inclusive with marketing efforts,” Ramirez said.

The website has an economic profile of the community, as well a comprehensive list of support services, from permit processing to grant help and other resources.

You can reach Staff ?Writer Clark Mason at 521-5214 or ?clark.mason?@pressdemocrat.com.