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Social media pilot project connects community of New Harmony

July 19, 2013

The University of Southern Indiana's Historic New Harmony, in coordination with the New Harmony Business Associates, will host the third installment of The New Harmony Connected Community Project at 5 p.m. Monday, July 22, at Sara's Harmonie Way in New Harmony, Indiana.  

The program is designed to educate local business owners and advocates and empower them to develop an online presence that more closely resembles the New Harmony experience.  The program focuses on updating directory listings, developing a web presence from scratch, placing pertinent business information on the site and developing valuable content.

Jeremy Overton, coach, author, and creator of The New Harmony Connected Community Project concept, selected New Harmony as the focus of this social media pilot program designed to enable artisans, writers, businesses, organizations, and attractions in New Harmony improve their online presences and marketing strategies.

"Ultimately, this user-developed content will allow visitors from across the country and around the world to connect, explore and share the New Harmony experience before, during and after their stay," he said.

Historic New Harmony board members Andrew Wilson, an entrepreneur; Kent Parker, a former Silicon Valley executive; and Ben Parker, a student at Boston College, have also been instrumental in developing the program.

"The project is new, but the energy of the participants is exciting," Overton said. "I've enjoyed having an opportunity to talk with members of the community about social media through a combination of individual, group and small group work. It's especially been a great opportunity to showcase the diverse retail, dining, retreat options and event spaces the town has to offer."

Other towns across rural America may soon be able to benefit from the model created in New Harmony. Overton has developed learning materials to help other communities take on initiatives like this in a cost-effective manner. Visit connectedcommunityproject.com or like The New Harmony Connected Community Project on Facebook to follow progress.

Historic New Harmony is a unified program of the University of Southern Indiana and the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites.

For more information, contact Overton at 812/430-2624.

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