Mount Pleasant, S.C. – Dec. 9, 2009 – Opinions and inspired ideas are driving a new community web site launched this week by the Town of Mount Pleasant at www.ideasformp.com.

Web site visitors are encouraged to complete online surveys designed to gauge opinions of residents, non-residents and businesses. Participants may also read and respond to blog posts and use the site as a social media tool for the community. New functions will debut soon to encourage visitors to post thoughts for town improvements, top ten lists, personal stories, plus a Town Gallery for photos, descriptive prose and more.

The site was created as part of the town’s research-based Strategic Marketing Initiative that supports The Town of Mount Pleasant Business Plan. The town’s business plan is focused on enhancing local quality of life, the business economy and jobs, local services, home values, and maintaining low tax rates.

Ashley McKenzie, Mount Pleasant’s Community Development and Tourism Officer, said the new web site is one of several new projects aimed at gathering and measuring public opinion, statistics and trends of local economic development, residential and tourism issues. She said public participation is an important part of those processes.

She said the town is directing the research and planning, calling on the expertise of local marketing and design professionals: Gil Shuler Graphic Design & Associates, which includes Blue Ion, Foster Associates, and The McNair Group, all based in the Lowcountry region.