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Month: May 2025

Lincoln Chamber of Commerce and the County of Lancaster, Nebraska, Enlist Violet PR for National Public Relations Campaign

Posted on by Violet PR

Nebraska’s state capital selects Violet PR to position the region as a surging business, entrepreneurship and visitor hub

MONTCLAIR, N.J., May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Violet PR, a New Jersey-based public relations agency specializing in economic development, has been selected to represent the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce and Lancaster County, Neb. Violet PR will develop a national public relations campaign to highlight the City of Lincoln and Lancaster County as an exceptional business and visitor destination.

“With our central Midwest location and a community committed to innovation and growth, Lincoln offers incredible resources for entrepreneurs as well as companies seeking talent,” said Jason Ball, president and CEO, Lincoln Chamber of Commerce. “Our partnership with Violet PR will shine a spotlight on our assets, including the University of Nebraska – a top public research institution – as well as innovative workforce training programs like the Lincoln Manufacturing Council.”

With more than 322,000 residents, the metro is situated in the heart of the “Silicon Prairie.” The region is home to numerous business incubators – including NMotion and the Nebraska Innovation Campus – all contributing to the community’s growing tech landscape.

Violet PR’s campaign will showcase the region’s business assets including its “gig speed” fiber network by telecom provider Allo; notable homegrown tech companies including Hudl and Monolith; and a dynamic agriculture technology cluster drawn from the state’s farming communities.

Lancaster County also encompass revitalized districts like the Historic Haymarket and Telegraph Districts. Haymarket has evolved from a commercial hub for warehousing businesses into a popular destination for visitors, featuring nearly 40 storefronts including boutiques, hotels, art galleries and restaurants.

“Lancaster County is a hidden gem in the heart of America, and we’re thrilled to partner with Violet PR to share our story nationally,” said David Derbin, chief administrative officer for the Lancaster County Board of Commissioners. “From our vibrant arts and culture scene to our rich history and outdoor adventures, this collaboration will help us showcase what makes Lancaster County a must-visit destination and drive economic growth.”

Lincoln and Lancaster County’s notable attractions include artifacts of American automotive history featured at the award-winning Museum of American Speed, and a 15,000-plus-seat venue that has been a catalyst for growth, hosting over 100 events annually.

“We are excited to represent the Nebraska state capital and elevate Lincoln and Lancaster County’s reputation as a thriving place to visit, as well as an exceptional location to start and grow a business,” said April Mason, president and founder of Violet PR. “As a Midwest native, I always look forward to showcasing untold success stories that come from the nation’s heartland.”

In addition to Lincoln and Lancaster County, Violet PR represents economic development organizations for the states of Georgia, New Jersey, North Carolina and Oklahoma; plus, the cities of Buffalo, N.Y.; Frisco, Texas; the Kansas City Metro; Lehigh Valley, Pa.; Newark, N.J.; Pittsburgh, Pa.; and Topeka, Kan.

About Violet PR


Whether it’s repositioning a city, drawing attention to a revitalized neighborhood, or promoting a new sustainable development, Violet PR helps clients make a difference. Through a combination of news stories, social media and compelling content, our New Jersey-based boutique public relations firm helps economic development public relations clients attract more dollars and supporters. Violet PR was named “Best Boutique Agency” by the Public Relations Society of America and the “Best Industry-Focused Agency” by Bulldog Reporter. For more information visit www.violetpr.com.

About the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce


The Lincoln Chamber of Commerce serves as Lincoln, Nebraska’s lead business organization championing the city’s innovative, bustling business community. The chamber is a convener and collaborator, bringing a variety of voices together to grow the city and move it forward. For more, visit LCOC.com.

About Lancaster County, Nebraska


The mission of the Lancaster County government is to provide innovative, sustainable services for a healthy, safe, diverse and vibrant community. Lancaster County is a leading center of culture, education, agriculture and commerce that thrives through dynamic growth, thoughtful leadership, and the diversity of its people in both rural and urban communities. For more, visit lancaster.ne.gov.

Talent Is the Target: Rebranding Communities to Deliver the Workforce to Support Reshoring

Posted on by Dan Gunderman

As reshoring announcements, like this one from Eli Lilly, are now beginning to gain momentum in the United States, the talent race is on. In today’s hyper-competitive landscape, communities that win new manufacturing projects are the ones that know how to tell a compelling story about who they are, what they offer and why they matter to the modern workforce. 

From young professionals prioritizing livability over location, to experienced workers seeking values-driven employers in equally purposeful places, workforce preferences are shifting dramatically. Add in the post-COVID rise of remote and hybrid work, and it’s clear that economic development organizations (EDOs) must evolve how they position their regions—not just to companies, but to the people those companies need to hire. 

At Violet PR, we’ve seen an uptick in EDOs increasingly serving as place-based brands, using strategic PR campaigns to highlight community assets like quality of life, affordability, career mobility and cultural vibrancy. Communities equally seek to be on “best places to live” lists like this one from Livability Media, as they do on lists for business decision makers as well. 

Economic Development Week (May 11-17) offers a timely lens to examine this shift, as communities of all sizes seek long-term strategies to strengthen their economies by delivering both jobs and workforce to the same table. 

Authentic Narratives at the Forefront 

Today’s workforce wants to see more than job listings—they want to see themselves in the story. That means EDOs must trade more generic marketing efforts for authentic, people-first narratives that reflect real opportunity and connection. 

Here’s what that looks like in practice: 

Impactful Storytelling: To capture attention and build trust, EDOs are putting real faces to their messaging, and sharing the journeys of accomplished and/or next-gen leaders and grassroots innovators who’ve contributed mightily to their communities. Across New Jersey, one example is the continued leadership and visibility of its Economic Development Authority CEO, Tim Sullivan, who’s been a staple of the current state administration and a go-to media source around a range of state initiatives. 

Lifestyle Messaging: Instead of leading with industrial stats, more communities are engaging in storytelling that highlights walkability, natural beauty, arts and culture, and family-friendly amenities. This is also true of Newark, N.J., which is leading with its impressive amenities in its ongoing “renaissance.” 

Career Visibility: For many job hunters, understanding different options and pathways is critical. EDOs are increasingly partnering with major employers to co-promote career pathways and workforce training, and to showcase upward mobility. That’s front and center in North Carolina, where the state’s Community College System is working diligently to train or upskill its robust manufacturing workforce. 

Social Media Amplification: Platforms like LinkedIn and Instagram aren’t just for influencers, they’re where place brands are being built, especially for talent under 40. A coordinated digital strategy can turn a local highlight reel into a powerful recruitment tool. 

Central to Economic Growth 

The takeaway for EDOs? Talent attraction is no longer a side initiative, it is core to economic development activities, especially as reshoring accelerates and manufacturing skills gaps widen. Instead of waiting for employers to do the heavy-lifting, communities must lead the charge in building a brand that attracts talent organically. 

This level of branding doesn’t occur overnight, it’s built through sustained PR, thoughtful messaging and ongoing partnerships between the EDOs and a number of different community partners (across education, housing, civic entities and nonprofits). It’s no longer about selling a location but instead, illustrating a lifestyle that appeals to today’s workforce. 

As we celebrate #EconDevWeek, it’s the perfect time for communities to ask: Are we telling the right story to the right people? In the current economic environment, talent isn’t just part of the strategy, it is the strategy. 

Ready to learn more from the Violet PR team about our strategic communications capabilities? Reach out to us today at hello@violetpr.com!