SEBRING Village is promoting itself through an 11-minute DVD

The video project is aimed at luring development.
By NORMAN LEIGH
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
SEBRING -- Village officials think this community has a lot to offer prospective enterprises and is backing that up with a filmed presentation to promote the community.
A compact digital video disc is being made available through the village. The disc can be viewed on a DVD player or a personal computer with video capabilities.
Viewers will see a professionally produced depiction of the village titled, "Sebring. Small Town Lifestyle ... Great Business Opportunities."
The 11-minute, narrated video, produced by Elliott Media Communications of Alliance, features views of village buildings, firetrucks, schools and churches. Most of the footage was shot during the last six months.
On the CD
Also depicted on the video are some of the village's commercial enterprises and a brief history of the town, whose population now stands at about 49,050.
A narrator touts the village as having a strong work ethic, good schools and an outstanding water supply.
The CD was the idea of village officials, who wanted to find a way to highlight Sebring's attributes, explained Ted Ryan, village manager.
"It's intended to promote the community" to potential businesses and developers, Ryan said.
Village council authorized spending $5,000 to have the CD produced. Several hundred copies have been made. The village has the master and can make copies for the CD for about $3.50 each, Ryan said.
Positive response
So far, the video is racking up good reviews, he said. "It's a quality, well-done project," Ryan added.
Having a video CD for promotional purposes is something towns nationwide are beginning to do, Ryan said.
The CD is available at village hall and through the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber.
There's no charge for the CD if it will be used for promotional or developmental purposes, Ryan said.
Anyone wanting it as a souvenir will have to pay $3.50 for it.
Eventually, the village wants to make viewing of the CD possible through Sebring's Web site, www.sebringohio.net.
A future project will involve a shorter video presentation about the town that would be available on a mini-CD about the size of a business card, Ryan said.