Things are happening in downtown Oxford and Amanda Cassidy has the numbers to prove it.
‘I hear it all the time ? nothing’s going on in Oxford,? said the DDA executive director. ‘I think a lot of stuff goes under the radar and people don’t even realize it.?
For instance, did you know that last year the private sector invested $834,000 in the downtown or that 49 new jobs were created in the DDA district?
Cassidy recently compiled a variety of interesting statistics concerning the downtown in 2005 to formulate a ‘quick snapshot of the DDA district.?
‘Every downtown has to submit these statistics for the Main Street program,? she said. ‘It’s almost like a benchmark of where we were when we started as a Main Street community and where we’re going to be. That’s what the statistics mean to me.?
To Cassidy, the numbers show ‘there is something going on in Oxford.?
‘Sometimes it might be small and some years it might not be as much, but there is something going on,? she said. ‘I think it’s important to let everybody know that. Stop and look around a little bit when you’re cruising through the downtown because things are happening.?
According to Cassidy’s research, the private sector’s $834,000 investment in the downtown was spent on a total of 24 building and facade rehabilitations, additions and other improvements, even to small things like signage.
The village invested $346,000 in public money in the DDA district last year on things such as streets, sidewalks, sewer and water, parking and lighting.
Eight new businesses opened downtown, while eight closed, resulting in the creation of 49 new jobs and the loss of 24 existing ones.
New businesses that opened in 2005 include Casa Real, EZ Mortgage, Wireless Toyz, Jimz Jamz, Lori’s Pet Paradise, Abalon Spa, Diane Myers Photography, and Kerry’s Dance Stages.
Existing businesses that closed last year included Best of Both Worlds, Third Wave Seafood and Chop House, Meadowbrook Interiors, Happy Hound, Fifth Element, Susan’s Ceramics, Dragon Martial Arts, and Dew Drop In.
Cassidy noted four businesses ? Beadifferent, Ink & Paper Invitation Studio, Oxford Wine & Beverage Company and The Scrapping Post ? all switched locations within the DDA district for expansion purposes.
To help promote downtown, the DDA itself spent $18,000 on advertising last year ? $3,000 on cooperative advertising with merchants such as the Main Street Merry Money contest and $15,000 for special events of which 27 were held downtown.
A total of $37,000 in sponsorship money was received by the DDA for events such as Celebrate Oxford, Scarecrow Festival, Hot Blues & BBQ, and Concerts in Centennial Park.
To Cassidy, the most impressive DDA statistic is the 4,900 volunteer hours ‘devoted? by the DDA board and its four committees.
‘That’s what drives the program,? she said. ‘It shows the commitment people have on the committees and on the DDA. Without those hours, we wouldn’t be where we are today.?
‘I think it’s a good start.?