Bessemer's new brand unveiled

By RALPH ANSAMI

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Bessemer - After unveiling Bessemer's new branding logo Thursday evening, city officials explained how they might use it.

The logo could represent a new beginning for the city, along with Bessemer's revised master plan, said Mayor Kathy Whitburn.

The logo, with the BE in Bessemer framed by its towering bluffs, was well received by about 75 people who attended the Big Reveal unveiling ceremony at a new pop-up business called Lily Trout Art and Design on Sophie Street.

"Many minds came together for this," Whitburn said, spurred by Charly Loper, the young city manager who helped to initiate the effort in her first few days on the job.

"They knocked it over the Bluffs," the mayor said of the focus of what a person can "Be" in Bessemer.

The brand logo was presented to the city council on Sept. 5 and unanimously approved.

Terry Kryshak, representing the branding committee, said Loper and Dustin Filippini were instrumental in creating the logo.

Filippini said he is "excited about what we can be."

He said the blue that makes up the Bluffs in the logo represents the water in the area and Lake Superior, while the orange represents the iron ore in the city's past.

Filippini said different slogans such as Be Amazed, and Be Proud could be incorporated into a series of banners to be hung along U.S. 2.

Those attending the Big Reveal were also supplied with light pole signs that could be used to show the new logo.

The event was timed in conjunction the Pumpkinfest celebration that will continue through the weekend.