Orion Township officials are hoping an intensified Internet presence will help market the community to new and old friends alike.
The second Orion Township ‘Call to Arms? meeting was held on Thursday, June 4, on the heels of the announcement that GM was placing the Orion assembly plant on standby.
Area business and political leaders convened at the early morning meeting held at the Orion library, where Supervisor Matt Gibb defined the problems the region faces and some potential solutions.
‘We’re not the type of community that’s going to take this sitting down,? Gibb said.
If local suppliers begin faltering due to GM’s situation, local businesses selling simple items such as chicken and beer could suffer.
‘All of those basic things are not going to be happening as the plant is idled. That’s why we need this community response,? Gibb said.
The main focus is to continue a relationship with the auto companies, specifically GM and Chrysler.
The Orion plant is currently in competition to manufacture the Chevy Spark with plants in Janesville, Wis. and Spring Hill, Tenn.
This dominated much of the conversation at the meeting.
‘GM is very focused that this will be a business decision, taking into account cost production and the advantages of proximity,? said Diana McBroom, a spokesperson for Congressman Gary Peters.
Gibb also stressed reaching out to Chrysler’s new Italian bosses.
‘We need a connection to Fiat,? Gibb said, adding that Palazzo di Bocce owner Tony Battaglia has offered up his facilities to wine and dine any potential contacts.
‘We need to get those guys over here throwing bocce balls,? Gibb said.
While old-fashioned, face-to-face networking may still be the old standby in business and politics, the township is also embracing what the kids are up to: social networking sites on the Internet like Facebook and Twitter.
Gibb’s main unveiling at the Town Hall meeting was a new Web site, www.advantageorion.com, a supplement to the township’s official site.
The new site is still in its nascent phase, and one object of the meeting was to start generating content for what will appear under the headings: ‘Dragon Zone,? ‘Orion Lifestyles,? ‘Community Resources? and ‘Community Life.?
The site, which has the sub-heading, ‘building strong business, community and family,? will feature why Orion is a desirable place to live and do business.
The township’s current Web site remains unchanged. While the new site is intended to showcase Orion’s flair, the official township site has the nuts and bolts information.
Advantageorion.com is also linked to Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn, which are all free to join.
Through those, you can keep up with Gibb through ‘tweets? and status updates as he makes his way around town, shopping the benefits of Orion.
For example, Gibb’s most recent ‘tweets,? or simple messages typed through Twitter, include, on June 4, ‘Going to see L. Brooks,? and on June 6, ‘going to several grad events. great job Orion families. good luck.?
But while creating an online presence was important, Gibb and other concerned officials, business owners and residents stressed the importance of gathering everyone at the town hall meeting.
Former state senator Mat Dunaskiss said, ‘It’s fun to create something positive in such depressing times.?
McBroom echoed the sentiment.
‘We have to work down from Washington, to Lansing to the township,? she said. ‘Everyone in this room has something to provide.?
Oxford’s Supervisor, Bill Dunn, was also on-hand for the meeting.
‘I think it’s important to think not just locally, but regionally,? he said. ‘We have to work together in these tough times.?