The campaign launch featured cinematic drone footage of a jogging trail, a brewery patio, and two people laughing near a laptop for reasons that remain unclear.
“We truly offer an unmatched quality of life,” said Economic Development Director Stephanie Hale during a presentation showcasing stock footage of kayaks that do not exist locally. “People can absolutely live here. Many already do. They can definitely work here. The ‘play’ component is more aspirational at this stage.”
According to officials, the city’s entertainment ecosystem currently consists of:
One Applebee’s
Seasonal youth soccer
A splash pad with unpredictable water pressure
And a downtown mural everyone photographs because there is nowhere else to stand
Still, community leaders remain confident the branding accurately reflects the region’s “vibrant lifestyle opportunities.”
“We have plans for additional placemaking,” Hale explained, pointing to a conceptual rendering labeled Future Entertainment District, which appeared to feature string lights, food trucks, and people holding wine glasses near repurposed shipping containers.
Residents expressed mixed feelings about the slogan.
“I mean, technically I live here and work here,” said local accountant Ryan Fuller. “As for play, I once walked around the Save-A-Lot for 45 minutes because I didn’t want to go home yet.”
Sources confirmed the phrase “Live, Work, Play” was selected after consultants determined alternatives like “Commute, Complain, Repeat” tested poorly with focus groups.
Meanwhile, city council members praised the campaign as “transformational,” citing the recent addition of pickleball courts and “strong momentum around trivia night.”
