Ohio City Approves $25,000 Promotional Product Budget

A city in Ohio has approved a program that will use hats, T-shirts and mugs to promote the city and spread regional pride. The City Council in Canton, Ohio voted 11-1 to create a merchandising program with a budget of up to $25,000.

The program will partner distributor Advertising Specialties and Printing with Canton City Schools and Junior Achievement. Area students will aid in the designing of the products, which Councilman Thomas West said would teach them important entrepreneurial skills, while Advertising Specialties and Printing will handle operations. Products will be displayed in Canton's city hall, although the items will only be available to order online.

"It's important you promote your city," said council majority leader David Dougherty. "I think it would give us a sense of pride in our city."

The promotional product program is not intended to be a for-profit operation but the council expects it will be self-sustaining. Any profit will be put toward community policing.

The lone vote against the legislation came from Councilman Kevin Fisher. "One rookie cop comes in at $25,000," he said. "I can't support it."