Local SEO question about redirecting keyword base domains to a branded website

Could I purchase several domain names that are geotargeted to individual city's and then do a 301 redirect to my website? Would this be a viable strategy? How does Google view redirects? Does it count the on page stuff from the landing page that the traffic is being redirected to when it does the indexing of that keyword that is in the domain?

Or perhaps I should use the service area page for that city as the landing page and then link back to the main domain.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated