EPHRATA – A rebranding initiative reflecting the evolution of the city of Ephrata is officially underway, with a new logo, a redesigned website, and an upgraded mobile app set to launch today. This overhaul signifies not just a visual update, but also a forward-thinking commitment to community engagement and effective governance, City Administrator Ray Towry said.  

“It’s really just time where we have to evolve and change our thinking – looking ahead,” Towry said. “Ephrata has struggled, at times just trying to keep the lights on. But, as we grow, we have to look beyond that and have some vision. We just understand that we are changing and growing.”  

The project was approved by the council and cost a one-time fee from CivicPlus, which designed the app and website, for about $40,000. This included the website design, app design, transfer of data and training for staff. The city will pay an annual fee for the website domain of around $16,000. 

Towry said these updates demonstrate the city council's and mayor's dedication to improving how the government operates and interacts with residents. 

At the heart of this rebranding effort is the new logo, which replaces the previous design that was perceived as too formal and indistinct, Mayor Pro Tem Matt Moore said. The city council unanimously accepted the updated logo at the May 7 regular city council meeting.  

“It works really well as a seal,” Moore said. “But I think our new logo represents the city as a whole better. It can be used anywhere. It can be big or small, and it will still be legible as the Ephrata logo. It’s modern and it represents the growth we are seeing.” 

Towry stressed that the rebranding is more than just a cosmetic change.  

“This transformation is anchored by three pillars that guide everything we do as a city: do the right thing, trust and be trustworthy, and be committed to the cause,” Towry said.  

This ethos will inform both the look and feel of future city communications, he said.  

The new logo prominently features elements inspired by Ephrata's landscape, particularly the hills surrounding the city and the abundant sunshine.  

“When asked to describe Ephrata in one word, the most common answers were ‘sunshine’ and ‘hills,’” Towry said.  

Moore collaborated on the design, employing a minimalist approach to ensure versatility across different applications.  

"I tried to incorporate the Beezley Hill and sunshine, we also have the splash of Tiger orange, while maintaining a straightforward look that could scale effectively across various platforms,” he said. 

In addition to the logo, the city’s website and mobile app are designed to streamline access to city services and improve communication between city officials and residents.  

“Residents should expect easier access, more transparency, easier communication,” City Clerk Katie Kapalo said.  

The redesigned website is expected to be user-friendly, allowing residents to easily pay utility bills, report maintenance issues, view city updates and submit service requests.  

“This platform is about more than just convenience,” Towry said. “It’s designed to make your government more accessible, transparent, and responsive.”

The MyEphrata app will be available for download on both iOS and Android platforms, featuring similar functionalities as the website. Residents will also be able to receive notifications via email or text about topics of their choosing, enhancing community engagement. 

“We hope this serves as a conduit to improve communications,” Moore said. “Feedback from our community has indicated a desire for better information access and connection.”

This modernization comes during a period of growth for Ephrata. The city has been experiencing a housing boom, particularly in its northeast and southeast sectors.  

“We have to look at things differently, as there are more demands placed upon us for different services,” Towry said.  

As Ephrata transitions to a small city, these changes are crucial to maintaining efficient city operations and prioritizing community needs, Towry said.  

Kapalo said the collaborative spirit that characterized the rebranding process.  

“We wanted to ensure the brand reflects the community's voice,” she said.  

The rebranding initiative included input from Ephrata High School students, who provided their own logo designs and mock-ups.  

Although the final design ultimately came from professional sources, Moore said the enthusiasm and creativity of the students set a positive tone for the project. 

Kapalo said it also helped reiterate that the colors, hill and sunshine were assets residents associated with the city. 

“Almost all, well, most of the logos we got from the students had Beezley Hill, a sun and the school district orange,” Kapalo said. “All of those made it into our final design.” 

Beyond the aesthetic updates, the rebranding is part of a larger strategy that includes infrastructure improvements and enhanced public services. Towry cited ongoing projects like the new water tower, park upgrades, and residential developments as evidence of the city's commitment to thoughtful growth and long-term planning. 

Towry expressed hope that the new branding will foster a stronger connection between residents and their city government, encouraging increased participation in community affairs and local governance.  

“The Ephrata of today is still the hometown we know and love, but it is also one that is growing, collaborating and planning with intention,” Towry said.  

    The City of Ephrata will debut its new app Thursday morning. MyEphrata will be available on both the Play Store and the Apple App Store. It will include options to pay utility bills, report maintenance issues, view city updates and submit service requests.
  

    Ephrata's new logo was developed over time and approved by City Council.
  

    EPHRATA CITY ADMINISTRATOR RAY TOWRY
  

    EPHRATA MAYOR PRO TEM MATT MOORE