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Economic Development

The Oxford-Lafayette County- University community is thriving and continues to be a focal point for education, the arts, healthcare and excellence in the quality of life for its citizens.

The nineties produced a robust economy for our area. Employment grew by 32 percent. Following a successful decade of growth, our economy continues to flourish. Oxford-Lafayette County’s civilian labor force has increased by 4,000 persons (21.6 percent) and our employment has risen by 5,190 employees (31.8 percent). Business starts, new construction and tourism continue to grow at a rapid rate and are expected to continue to fuel our local economy. We look forward to continued growth and prosperity, preserving the past while looking to the future.

Leaders in our community continue to make sound economic growth a priority. Our Oxford Mayor and Board of Aldermen, the Lafayette County Board of Supervisors and the Chancellor of the University of Mississippi work together diligently to see that our focus is on improving our community's image, business climate and infrastructure. Quality job growth is considered essential to our future.

Many of the positive steps taken by our leadership have been in support for both the Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Foundation, Inc. (EDF). Our Chamber of Commerce spearheads programs to support the interests of our small business community and matters that enhance the quality of life in Oxford. Our Economic Development Foundation, a public-private partnership, is organized to take on projects that generally have a major impact over longer periods of time. It exemplifies the strength and capabilities of a marriage between governmental and private sectors in helping to make major community initiatives become a reality. Its mission is to be a leader in creating opportunities for responsible economic investment, thereby raising the per capita income for all citizens of Lafayette County.

EDF works to promote and sustain Oxford's outstanding quality of life through its successful Retiree Attraction Program, which is responsible for locating more than 600 retiree households to Lafayette County and bringing assets of more than $192 million and approximately $20 million in annual discretionary income with average direct expenditures of more than $19 million. EDF employs a full-time Retiree Attraction Program Director to maintain the program's successful efforts, which are highlighted on EDF’s retirement website, www.retire.oxfordms.com.

EDF's current focus is on developing the remaining available acreage at the County Industrial Park in order to attract the growing numbers of automotive suppliers looking to locate near the new Toyota plant in Blue Springs, Mississippi, and scheduled to open in early 2010. EDF also focuses on maintaining the viability of our existing business and industry while creating more current technology-based jobs through recruiting and growing businesses from within our area and the University of Mississippi technologies. Much of this growth is expected to occur through the development of the Oxford Enterprise Initiative, a system of three regional business incubators located in Oxford, Batesville and Grenada and the maintenance of a speculative building program for industrial prospects to Lafayette County.

Our community's plan for growth basically follows the findings of Vision 20/20, a community-based study developed by our citizens in 1999. The plan calls for reasoned growth within a framework that recognizes our community's strengths as well as its weaknesses. EDF's work is an important component of realizing the goals of Vision 20/20 and continues to work to preserve the economic viability of the Lafayette-Oxford-University community by supporting regional economic and community development efforts that benefit Oxford and its neighboring counties.

We hope that you will take the time to observe the growing new construction, investment and business development in and around the Oxford-Lafayette County area. Take note of the growing number of retail establishments, restaurants and businesses — especially around the town square — and see why we are proud to call our community "home." Visit EDF's website at www.oxfordms.com.