Officials consider promotional video

Grab the popcorn - a video showcasing the local area could be coming soon to a Web site near you.

Mercer County commissioners recently held a teleconference meeting with CGI Communications to learn about a video program that could introduce prospective businesses, residents and tourists to the county via a Web site.

John Bruns, president of the board of commissioners, said the best part of the plan is its cost to the county: nothing.

"From what we understand so far, it seems pretty interesting," he added.

CGI staff would, for example, videotape Grand Lake, museums, restaurants and hotels, hospitals, realty, financial institutions, the state park, the county courthouse and other sites and place the video/audio stream on a specific Web site for viewers.

"It would help us highlight the county more," Bruns said.

CGI, based in Rochester, N.Y., is a member of the National Association of Counties and provides products and services for image support to chambers, visitor bureaus and municipalities. All CGI programs are offered at no cost to counties.

Commissioners plan to hold a meeting with county Economic Development Director Jared Ebbing, Auglaize-Mercer Counties Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Donna Grube and Celina-Mercer Chamber of Commerce Director Pam Buschur to discuss the venture. The video/audio likely would be an asset to all the officials and could be placed on one of their Web sites with links to the others, Bruns added.

While the county doesn't pay a dime, the program is funded by businesses and organizations who wish to advertise on the Web site where the video stream is placed. CGI pursues those advertisers.

CGI also offers a similar Web video/audio option to each advertiser for their specific business as another means of profit for the company.