The Ripon Video Showcase is coming soon for all to view online.

Last week, the Ripon City Council approved 5-0 to enter in to an agreement with CGI Communication to create the community showcase video.

In it, according to City Administrator Kevin Werner, will be highlights on what the community has to offer to residents, business owners and visitors.

“The goal for the video is to entice businesses and visitors to Ripon and with no financial risk to the City,” Vice Mayor Jake Parks said.

Based in upstate New York, CGI Communication has a mission “to increase awareness for the communities and businesses that serve as the mortar to cities, chambers and associations across the U.S.”

This company received the Top 100 Award in the Rochester Area for six straight years, from 1999 to 2004, and is now a lead provider of high-impact marketing solutions for communities and small businesses.

CGI Communications has done video showcases for places such as Valdosta, GA and Cheyenne, WY, and can do likewise for Ripon with the video streaming on to the City website.

Elected leaders discussed in November of pursuing a video showcase for Ripon, with the idea coming from the Economic Development Committee.

As for advertisement, which, according to Councilman Dean Uecker, can be expensive, CGI Communications takes the risk of no one advertising.

“The video is still made and the City receives it at no cost,” Werner added.

Parks noted that local businesses would have choice whether or not to participate in this endeavor. “It’s CGI’s responsibility to adjust their prices to fit the need,” he said.

The video program could be used a viable tool to not only promote but to bring in new businesses to Ripon, according to Parks.

Production usually takes about 10 to 14 weeks, from inception to completion.