The Wilmington City Council this week voted to contribute $50,000 to the regional marketing plan being developed in association with the Wells Fargo Championship golf tournament this May.
 
The funds will be split evenly between this year and 2018.
 
The marketing effort is being spearheaded by the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce and other agencies in the region. Currently there is at least $225,000 dedicated to the project.
 
The chamber-led marketing strategy outlined is to work with various regional organizations to develop a brand messaging campaign, media relations push and print and digital ad campaign as a way to promote the area for new businesses and further economic growth.
 
The goal is to generate long-term interest, investment and impact in the Cape Fear region.
 
New Hanover County commissioners recently approved $75,000 for the initiative: $25,000 this year and $50,000 in the next budge year.
 
It’s a public-private effort.
 
“The first $100,000 committed to the initiative were private funds, since they came from Cape Fear Future donors, which are made up of area businesses,” said the chamber’s Scott Czechlewski on Wednesday. Cape Fear Future is an initiative of the chamber.

“We will be asking other area governments outside of New Hanover County -- such as Brunswick, Pender and Columbus -- to support the effort as well, since it’s a regional marketing initiative," he said. "That’s the next phase now that we have commitments from New Hanover County and the city of Wilmington.”
 
The marketing campaign will run well after the golf tournament is over.
 
“What we’re doing is taking advantage of the Wells Fargo event, to really develop an integrated marketing communications campaign that goes out and really helps tell the region’s story,” said Albert Eckel, partner and founder of Eckel & Vaughan, the Raleigh-based communications firm that was selected by the chamber to create this initiative, to the Business Journal recently. “It’s our belief the rising tide will lift all ships here.”
 
The Wells Fargo Championship at Eagle Point Golf Club runs May 1-7, and is in Wilmington for just 2017. The Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte has been home to the PGA Tour event since its inception in 2003 and will continue to be the host site except this year when Quail Hollow hosts the PGA Championship.
 
The event in Wilmington is expected to pump at least $40 million into the local economy.