The Rural Oxford Economic Development Corporation (Rural Oxford EDC) is looking to launch the Rural Downtown Project, a new initiative designed to revitalize Oxford County’s rural commercial cores and support local entrepreneurship. The project recognizes that rural downtowns and village cores are more than economic hubs—they are central to community identity, connection, and long-term resilience.
This initiative directly supports a key objective of Rural Oxford EDC’s 2026–2030 Strategic Plan, specifically to Support the Local Business Community through Business Retention, Growth and Succession Planning. By focusing on storefront-based businesses and commercial property activation, the Rural Downtown Project aims to strengthen the foundations of rural main streets while creating conditions for sustainable growth.
The Rural Downtown Project is also looking to include OMAFA’s 4-Point Approach to downtown revitalization, a practical framework commonly used to strengthen the economic, physical, and social health of traditional town centres. Using this approach helps ensure that efforts to support rural downtowns are well-rounded and coordinated, looking beyond one-off investments to address the many connected factors that contribute to a successful and vibrant main street.
The Rural Oxford EDC board has approved Phase 1 of the Rural Downtown Project
Through a variety of methods, speak with rural commercial property owners and
business owners to identify opportunities and barriers to setting up a storefront business
in a rural downtown or village core. Draft a findings report with proposed next steps to
review with Board and area municipality CAO’s.
Business owners, Commercial Property Owners and Community partners are invited to participate in the Rural Downtown Forum — a collaborative, think-tank style discussion focused on strengthening rural downtowns and village cores. Through this forum, we are looking to gather insights to better understand the opportunities and challenges of establishing and sustaining storefront businesses in rural communities. This event will take place February 18 from 5:00–7:00 PM at Sprucewood Tack in Tavistock. Those interested are asked to sign up through Eventbrite
Input gathered through this forum, along with other outreach methods, will inform a findings report outlining key themes, challenges, and proposed next steps. A second forum will be held at a later date (TBD) to continue the conversation, share emerging insights, and support collaborative refinement of potential actions.
Looking Ahead: From Insight to Action
Following the outreach and research phase, Phase 2 of the project will focus on collaborative iteration, presenting findings to area municipality CAOs and partners to explore next steps.
The long-term vision of the Rural Downtown Project is to help achieve vibrant villages and towns with sufficient businesses to support a growing population, a core aspiration identified in Rural Oxford EDC’s Strategic Plan. By increasing storefront occupancy, stimulating private investment, and strengthening rural business ecosystems, the project aims to enhance the economic resilience and vitality of Oxford County’s rural communities.
As the Rural Downtown Project moves forward, continued collaboration with business owners, property owners, municipalities, and community partners will remain central—ensuring that rural downtowns continue to thrive as places to do business, gather, and belong.