Hempfield and North Huntingdon are revamping their signage to bolster each township’s identity.
Both are divided by multiple ZIP codes and neighborhoods, and in Hempfield, the township’s officials outlined goals to reinforce municipal identity in their 2023 comprehensive plans.
While preparing a comprehensive plan, approved by the supervisors in September, Hempfield launched a survey asking township residents how they identify where they live.
Compiling responses from about 100 of the township’s more than 40,000 residents, the survey revealed 42% of those who responded identify with one of the township’s 21 ZIP codes, and 23% identify with a specific neighborhood such as Bovard or Fort Allen.
“Hempfield is a community of communities,” said Planning and Zoning Director Patrick Karnash. “It’s a quiltwork of a large number of smaller residential areas.
About 15% listed a broader territory, such as the Route 30 corridor, or declined to provide a specific location. The remaining 20% stated they are from Hempfield, said Supervisor Doug Weimer.
“I think it’s all about creating a sense of place and identifying Hempfield Township as your home,” Weimer said.
Where is North Huntingdon?
Some North Huntingdon residents believe they live in Irwin or North Irwin because parts of these territories share a ZIP code, said township Manager Harry Faulk. Other residents are misled by mailing addresses of Rillton, McKeesport, Trafford and White Oak.
North Huntingdon is replacing the word “Connected” with “Township” in its primary logo, which can be found on township signs, letterheads and business cards. Some logos, Faulk said, will be revised to “North Huntingdon Township Connected.”
The old logo will remain on the township’s current fleet of vehicles, Faulk said, but will be rebranded when those vehicles are replaced.
“There’s some confusion by some people where they live,” Faulk said. “This will help create an identity.”
Creating a brand for a municipality can help to bring business into the community and enhance sales for existing businesses, said Lisa Sciulli, a professor and chairperson at Indiana University of Pennsylvania’s marketing department.
“I think it’s an excellent idea,” Sciulli said.
Municipalities can partner with chambers of commerce and neighboring municipalities to create a brand for a region and spur economic development, Sciulli said.
Hempfield has allocated $35,000 in its 2023 general fund budget to create new signage and improve its branding efforts on its social media platforms and Headlining Hempfield magazine, Karnash said.
Township officials are seeking community members to assist with the project. Hempfield residents, business owners and members of local institutions like colleges, school districts, fire stations and churches are invited to participate, Weimer said.
The township plans to meet with community members to begin brainstorming within the next month or two, Karnash said. He estimates it will take about six months to put a complete plan together.
The plan may include updating the township’s logo, installing a message board at a key entrance point to the township and creating signs for its neighborhood communities to show that they are part of Hempfield.
“We never want to lose the identity of our historical communities,” Karnash said. “We simply want to recognize that those historical communities are part of bigger communities.”
