Welcome to Harlan: City updates signs and website video tour

 HARLAN — Visitors and residents of Harlan are being welcomed to the city in two new ways.
 The City has replaced the entrance signs at the city limits on both the north and south sides of Highway 59. Harlan City Administrator Gene Gettys said the project had been in the planning process for several years. “The design was originally developed in 2016 based upon features and designs the elected officials liked from looking at similar signs,” Gettys said. The City’s engineering partners at Kirkham Michael designed the sign and construction plans. Gettys said “The proverbial ‘elephant in the room’ question over the past few years has been, ‘Why has this taken so long?’”
 Gettys said the delay was due to obtaining Department of Transportation right-of-way approval for the location of the signs and challenges in utilizing the intendended funding from a DOT grant.
 “By remaining persistent, we were excited when we eventually overcame both of those hurdles,” Gettys said, adding the feedback so far has been positive, and he anticipates it will increase when the landscaping and lighting is complete.
 Another new welcome feature recently implemented by the city is a video tour of the community found on the city’s website. Gettys said the new videos were produced through a partntership with CGI, and there have been a few major video refreshes since the partnership began in 2013.
 Gettys feels the videos represent the community in a positive manner. “We are delighted to have the videos reinforce our community pride for residents and visitors alike! We are a welcoming community, and the intent of the videos is to highlight our exceptional quality of life and major assets such as healthcare, education, and business opportunity.”
 The videos  are supported by advertising and sponsorship opportunities, and therefore, are cost-free for the city.