Back in May we launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund West St. Paul Reader. In a few short days we hit the initial goal and launched the site. As the site has grown and started sharing helpful content, we’ve pushed forward to hit more goals. Now we’re in the final stretch—the campaign ends at midnight tonight (Central Time).
It’s your last chance to back West St. Paul Reader and help us keep people informed.
How We’re Informing People
In less than a month, West St. Paul Reader has:
- Talked with former Garlough student-turned-teacher Rodrigo Sanchez (our most popular post by far).
- Offered an inside glimpse (literally) at refurbishing the water tower.
- Explored the controversial issue of basketball in West St. Paul.
- Hyped several events, including the Thompson Lake Restoration Celebration, Bike Rodeo, and West St. Paul Days, offering helpful context and history on the events.
- Presented two city council recaps: May 14 and May 28.
- Answered several questions, including when the Food Smith will open, when the River-to-River Greenway tunnel will be finished, when sidewalks are going in on Marie, and if West St. Paul is getting a Kohl’s.
By supporting our Kickstarter campaign, you can help us do this work and keep people informed.
When people are informed, they get engaged and connect with their community. Then people feel like they belong. It’s building that local pride that makes West St. Paul a great place to live.
Rewards for Backing
While you could certainly support us out of the kindness of your heart, we’re not above bribing you. We’ve got a number of rewards to make it worth your while:
- First of all, every body who backs the project will be listed on our Founder’s Wall. Get a permanent shout out as thanks.
- Starting at the lowest tier, $5, you get a hand-written thank you postcard featuring artwork from West St. Paul’s own Carolyn Swiszcz.
- At the $25 and up level, you can get a West St. Paul coupon book featuring 16 local businesses and a value over $350.
- For $50, you and a friend can learn to skate with Lisa Eng-Sarne, a retired Minnesota RollerGirl and West St. Paul city council member. (only one slot left!)
- For $75, you can join West St. Paul’s biggest cheerleader, Mayor Dave Napier, at a meetup at Amore to talk West St. Paul. (only six slots left!)
- If you’re a big spender, you can get lunch and a West St. Paul tour with the editor, as well as a subscription to Zebra Cat Zebra, the zine by local artist Carolyn Swiszcz.
- If you’re a local business, you might want to snatch up the sponsored post and six-month banner ad opportunity.
Stretch Goals
Since we already hit the initial goal and launched the site (in less than five days), we’ve been pushing toward stretch goals. So far, we’ve already added:
- Logo: We’ve already met with a local designer to get the process started.
- Email newsletter: Subscribe now.
- Guest columnists: We’ll have local writer Katie Dohman and local artist Carolyn Swiszcz contributing to the site as guest columnists.
Our next stretch goal is committing to weekly content if we hit $4,000. Right now we’ve got $947 left to hit that goal.
Honestly, I don’t think we’ll make it. I’m just thrilled we hit the guest columnist goal today (it was looking iffy over the weekend). But I’ll put the goal out there anyway so we have something to reach for. (Speaking of audacious goals, if we hit $10,000, I’ll throw a party for all the backers.)
Help Inform West St. Paul
This is your last chance to get these rewards, so get on it. The campaign ends at midnight tonight.
Thank you to everyone who has already backed the project and helped make this thing happen. I’m incredibly grateful.
West St. Paul Reader 