MML Recognizes Berlin’s Spirit

BERLIN – The Maryland Municipal League recognized Berlin for its town spirit with an achievement award this week.

Berlin was one of three municipalities honored during the Maryland Municipal League (MML) annual convention in Ocean City.

“What does it take to be the coolest small town in America?” said Bruce Wahl, president of MML. “Berlin knows.”

While Berlin received an achievement award in the medium population category, Brookeville was honored in the small town category and Laurel was recognized in the large town category.

Wahl talked about Berlin’s social media campaign to win the Budget Travel America’s Coolest Small Town title and then about how the town made the most of the designation. He said that even after the town had been named the coolest in America, officials continued to promote it and encourage visitation through a celebratory party and the subsequent “Cool Berlin” day.

“Thanks to the designation, Berlin merchants are seeing an increase in sales and there are no vacancies on Main Street,” Wahl said.

Berlin Mayor Gee Williams, who accepted the award Monday, said the award was simply a reflection on the community.

“What makes it especially rewarding is that Berlin received this award, in great measure, based on our town spirit,” he said. “This sense of pride, place and mutual support that is an important part of Berlin’s culture is not only coveted in today’s society, it is sought desperately in many communities.”

Berlin’s success during the past few years also resulted in Ivy Wells, the town’s economic development director, being featured as one of this year’s MML speakers. She spoke to convention attendees about small town economic development strategies.

“I talked about some of the things that have worked that I’ve used,” she said.

She provided advice on marketing and expanding downtown business as well as the importance of social media.

“A lot of people wanted to know why social media works so well,” she said.

Wells said she also took the opportunity to share her interest in “Buddhist economics,” the idea that people want to make purchases that make them feel good. It’s a concept she’s pushed throughout her career in economic development.

“It’s things that are bought because they make you feel good to buy them,” she said, “not because of the status they hold.”