Henrico begins new postcard program for new residents

Henrico County officials launched a new postcard campaign March 10, primarily targeting new homeowners with information about Henrico County and its amenities. 

The project aims to connect new residents who may not know much about topics like recycling and trash pick up, where the closest parks or playgrounds are, and where to find running paths, Henrico Board of Supervisors Chair Dan Schmitt told the Citizen. 

A total of 223 postcards went out to residents countywide as part of the first batch. They differ slightly by magisterial district, with each including information about the supervisor for that district, along with a QR code that links to a website with information about nearby amenities in the county. 

“I love it because it's cost effective, it's quick. . .  and it's modern with the QR code, so they can scan it, and it's a living page that can be updated,” Schmitt said.

The cards are scheduled to roll out on a monthly basis, with the plan of about 200 cards going out per month to new homeowners and those who have made residential transfers, based upon a system that Henrico uses to identify new homeowners, said Henrico Public Relations Director Ben Sheppard. 

The project is estimated to cost $1,500 a year, with the finances coming out of the Henrico public relations budget, according to Sheppard.

This idea for the postcard campaign grew from a board of supervisors retreat last fall, when the supervisors were discussing better ways to communicate with Henrico residents about what’s available to them in the county.

“We have a lot to offer and a lot to be proud of,” Sheppard said. 

While each postcard is almost identical, they differ by magisterial district and include a photograph and contact information of the district supervisor and list the different amenities that each district has to offer. 

“I want both new residents and existing residents to feel comfortable going to that page,” said Schmitt, “I would love to see not only a continuation of it, but an expansion of this.”  

In addition to the postcard campaign, the board of supervisors also has begun looking into a new sign initiative, which would replace the original brown Henrico County signs throughout the country that were erected during the county’s 400th anniversary in 2011.

While the effort is not underway yet, Schmitt said he hopes the work will begin this year. 

The goal is some of the signs to be electronic so that they are capable of displaying a variety of messages and up-to-date information and use those as a way to connect the county, Sheppard said. 

Considering how many travelers take I-95 and I-64 through Henrico, it's important to put Henrico on the map and put Henrico in travelers’ minds, Schmitt said. 

“I'm proud of what we offer, and showcasing it is important to me,” he said.