How Would You Brand New Port Richey?

Which of New Port Richey’s strengths do you think should be used to brand the city?

John Hagen, executive director of the Pasco Economic Development Council, has presented some ideas his group is considering to the City Council Tuesday.

The city agreed last year to pay the Economic Development Council $66,000 to provide economic development and marketing services to the city.

During an update on its efforts given during the April 16 City Council meeting, Hagen told council members there are six strengths his organization is looking at highlighting to create a brand for the city.

They are as follows:

1. Natural Resources

The city has the Pithlachascotee River in its borders and Gulf of Mexico nearby, Hagen said.

    2. History

The Hacienda Hotel is an example of this, Hagen said. Celebrities in the silent film era were reported to visit New Port Richey, and Thomas Meighan owned a home here. 

    3. Artistic community

“There are a lot of very creative people here, and we think that is a kind of keystone,” Hagen said. “Because we don’t see that in the other communities in our county to this extent. So, the question is: Can we make something of that?”

    4. Health systems in the city and nearby

New Port Richey has not just Morton Plant North Bay, but private doctors’ offices in the city limits and nearby to draw people in. 

“We think that’s a bright spot,” Hagen said.

   5. The sister city of Cavalaire-Sur-Mer, France

New Port Richey is the only city in Pasco to have a sister city, Hagen said.

“You have a little international sort of nice,” Hagen said.

    6. Innovation and entrepreneurship

This is a "key play," Hagen said. There are major tracts of infill development that could be redeveloped, and that typically "involves innovation and entrepreneurship."

What about New Port Richey do you think could be highlighted to develop a brand?