Tag Archive for: #downtownoxfordeconomicdevelopmentcommission

Alyssa Blair Named Oxford Downtown Development Director

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Alyssa Blair has been selected to be Oxford’s downtown development director.

Blair is a familiar name and face in city government – she has been Oxford’s communications specialist since September 2019, according to information from City Manager M. Alan Thornton.

An Oxford native, Blair said she looks forward to her new role.

“I am excited to serve the city of Oxford in this capacity and look forward to working with all city departments and the community for the betterment of Oxford,”  she said in a press statement issued last week.

Over the past year, Blair has worked closely with officials of Main Street North Carolina and the Downtown Oxford Economic Development Corporation, Thornton said, and she has been “a crucial factor in Oxford’s  continued presence in the Main Street program,” he said.

Thornton said there was a strong field of candidates, and Blair “rose to the top” during the hiring process.

Blair has a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology and conflict management UNC-Greensboro and has earned two master’s degrees – one from UNC-G and one from the University of Konstanz in Germany.

Currently, she is pursuing a master’s degree in public  administration from the UNC School of Government and has completed additional various courses  and training in communications and development.

In addition to her time with the City of Oxford, Blair has worked for Special Olympics  North Carolina in volunteer engagement and currently sits on the North Carolina City  and County Communicators (NC3C) Board. Outside of the office, Ms. Blair enjoys being with her family and her dogs, traveling, has several artistic passions, and likes to volunteer when possible.

Oxford Designated As Affiliate Main Street America Program

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-information courtesy of the City of Oxford

The City of Oxford and the Downtown Oxford Economic Development Commission have been designated as an Affiliate Main Street America™ program for meeting rigorous performance standards.

Each year, Main Street America and its partners announce the list of Affiliate programs to recognize their commitment to creating meaningful improvements to their downtowns using preservation-based economic development and community revitalization through the Main Street Approach™.

The City of Oxford and DOEDC’s performance is annually evaluated by North Carolina Main Street which works in partnership with Main Street America to identify the local programs that are committed to comprehensive, place-based revitalization efforts and achieving meaningful community outcomes.

We are thrilled to acknowledge this year’s 383 Affiliate Main Street America programs and their commitment to advance economic vitality and quality of life in their downtowns and commercial districts,” Main Street America President and CEO Patrice Frey. “During another incredibly challenging year, these programs demonstrated the power of the Main Street movement to respond to the needs of their communities, driving essential local recovery efforts, supporting small businesses, and nurturing vibrant neighborhoods.”

In 2021, Main Street America programs generated $5.76 billion in local reinvestment, helped open 6,601 net new businesses, generated 30,402 net new jobs, catalyzed the rehabilitation of 10,595 historic buildings, and leveraged 1,427,729 volunteer hours. On average, for every dollar that a Main Street program spent to support its operations, it generated $19.34 of new investment back into Main Street communities.

Main Street America leads a movement committed to strengthening communities through preservation based economic development in older and historic downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts. For more than 40 years, Main Street America has provided a practical, adaptable, and impactful framework for community-driven, comprehensive revitalization through the Main Street Approach™. Our network of more than 1,200 neighborhoods and communities, rural and urban, share both a commitment to place and to building stronger communities through preservation-based economic development. Since 1980, communities participating in the program have leveraged more than $95.33 billion in new public and private investment

generating 161,036 net new businesses and 717,723 net new jobs and rehabilitated more than 314,431 buildings. Main Street America is a nonprofit subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. For more information, visit mainstreet.org.