It seems one of Oxford Township’s New Year’s resolutions is to be much more proactive when it comes to attracting new businesses and stimulating the local economy.
To that end, the township’s newly-formed Economic Development Subcommittee will hold its kickoff meeting at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 7 on the second floor of the Oxford Veterans Memorial Civic Center (28 N. Washington St.)
‘It’s really kind of a think tank,? explained township Trustee Mike Spisz, who sits on the subcommittee along with planning commissioners Todd Bell and Jack Curtis. ‘What can we do as a community to help boost the economy in our area? What options can we put on the table to take to the township board??
Ultimately, the subcommittee is a recommending body with no authority to implement any plans, but Spisz said it’s important to have an entity like this generating and proposing ideas.
‘We see other communities doing stuff and Oxford really hasn’t done anything from what I see,? he said.
Instead of waiting for outside forces to shape the town’s economic landscape, Spisz believes it’s time for Oxford to control its own destiny and start making things happen.
‘My big push is to get the ball rolling,? he said. ‘Let’s put some things on paper. Let’s start putting a plan together and see where we can go.?
With good schools and an active parks and recreation department, Spisz indicated the township already has what people look for in a community. The issue is effectively communicating this to draw folks here.
‘Oxford is a good place to do business in,? he said. ‘How do you advertise that to people? How do you educate people about Oxford to bring them in??
The subcommittee’s also going to examine what can be done to help existing businesses keep their doors open and local people employed.
‘How many businesses do we keep losing on a regular basis?? Spisz said. ‘Of course, we can’t change the economy, but what can we do as a community to help these places??
According to Spisz, the subcommittee’s first meeting will focus on getting organized and setting goals. ‘It’s about establishing the framework of what we’re going to do,? he said.
Once the subcommittee has some direction, others in the community, both citizens and business leaders, will be invited to participate and give their input.
‘We’ll probably ask other people for help because there’s no way the three of us can do it all ourselves,? Spisz said.
The subcommittee plans to meet on the first Thursday of the month.