Written by Elliott Coombes // Graphic provided by City of Searcy
The City of Searcy logo has a brand-new look, and it is the first of several changes to come. Designed by the local marketing firm Think Idea Studio, it was released Jan. 1. The new design is full of details and classic touches instantly recognizable to local residents. Included in it are silhouettes of the courthouse, the Rialto Theater and the iconic trees and hills of Arkansas. One symbol, a mix between the Rialto’s neon signage and the spring from Spring Park, makes up the bottom.
The redesign is part of a collaboration between the Searcy Regional Chamber of Commerce, the City of Searcy, the Searcy A&P Commission and the Searcy Regional Economic Development Corporation. According to Mayor Mat Faulkner, the current goal is creating unity among community organizations.
“We have received overwhelming positive responses to the new logo and branding,” Faulkner said. “We are excited to incorporate this updated image throughout the community and on communication materials.”
The logo has already been in use on the City of Searcy Facebook page, in advertisements for the Carmichael Warming Center, National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day and a local weather update.
“There will be logo versions for all of the participating organizations,” Faulkner said. “But since the City’s was completed first, we are beginning to implement the usage of the logo and branding elements as a working change.”
This is an ideal time to initiate a rebrand, particularly as the city council is preparing the first step of their recently finalized master plan, a 20-year planning process for the city under the hashtag #mysearcy. According to cityofsearcy.org, the top priority among the community was for a new community center. Also included in the plan are an outdoor water park, a sports complex, outdoor trails and improvements to existing parks. The website said that “what was unique about the process was that three master plans were developed in tandem for parks, active transportation, and infrastructure.”
Searcy is coincidentally growing in popularity, largely due to the Harding Bisons’ National Championship victory and the attention received in the Arkansas Business Trendsetter Awards.
Cityofsearcy.com recently announced that Searcy won awards in the Diversity and Inclusion and the Public Works categories, along with some other honorable mentions.
