2008 Woodie Awards
Oxford hires new economic director
Former administrator returns to city, 5 months after city council turnover
Betsy King
Issue date: 4/25/08 Section: Community
Former mayor and city councilor Alan Kyger just can't stay away from the Oxford administration. He has recently taken the position of the city's economics director.
Kyger had his first day on the job April 21. He said he is excited, nervous and a little scared about assuming his new position.
However, as a life-long resident of Oxford, he is no stranger to working within the community, after holding various roles over the course of 20, years including one term as mayor and seven positions within the city council.
A little over a year ago, Kyger made the decision to sell the vehicle business, Kyger Chrysler, that had been a part of his family for 75 years. This transaction put him in-between careers for the time being, and it was during this period that he heard about the opening of the position of economics director.
"The only reason I applied for this position was because it was in Oxford," Kyger said. "I wouldn't have taken the job if it had been offered in Dayton or Cincinnati because Oxford is where my heritage and knowledge of the area would be an asset to my job."
The position was vacant for a year and a half.
When the old economics director left, the city manager and the finance director both decided to announce their resignation from their jobs.
The city of Oxford didn't even consider hiring Kyger until these two positions were occupied, and even then, Kyger had to be selected from a pool of 50 other applicants.
Douglas Elliott, Oxford city manager, said that he is looking forward to working closely with Kyger in the coming months.
"I will be working with him on a daily or weekly basis," Elliot said. "We will be focusing on the economic development plan that was adopted in 2004, which aims to forge more partnerships and generate more economic development from Miami University."
Kyger also has own set of goals he wants to accomplish during his time as economic director.
"I hope to help Oxford recruit businesses as well as retain the ones that Oxford already has," he said. "Oxford is a strong area for manufacturing businesses, and we also hope to fill in empty storefronts with retailers."
During his time as economic director, Kyger will work in tandem with the city manager as well as the Community Improvement Corporation, a non-profit corporation created to pursue economic development within the Oxford area.
Kyger had his first day on the job April 21. He said he is excited, nervous and a little scared about assuming his new position.
However, as a life-long resident of Oxford, he is no stranger to working within the community, after holding various roles over the course of 20, years including one term as mayor and seven positions within the city council.
A little over a year ago, Kyger made the decision to sell the vehicle business, Kyger Chrysler, that had been a part of his family for 75 years. This transaction put him in-between careers for the time being, and it was during this period that he heard about the opening of the position of economics director.
"The only reason I applied for this position was because it was in Oxford," Kyger said. "I wouldn't have taken the job if it had been offered in Dayton or Cincinnati because Oxford is where my heritage and knowledge of the area would be an asset to my job."
The position was vacant for a year and a half.
When the old economics director left, the city manager and the finance director both decided to announce their resignation from their jobs.
The city of Oxford didn't even consider hiring Kyger until these two positions were occupied, and even then, Kyger had to be selected from a pool of 50 other applicants.
Douglas Elliott, Oxford city manager, said that he is looking forward to working closely with Kyger in the coming months.
"I will be working with him on a daily or weekly basis," Elliot said. "We will be focusing on the economic development plan that was adopted in 2004, which aims to forge more partnerships and generate more economic development from Miami University."
Kyger also has own set of goals he wants to accomplish during his time as economic director.
"I hope to help Oxford recruit businesses as well as retain the ones that Oxford already has," he said. "Oxford is a strong area for manufacturing businesses, and we also hope to fill in empty storefronts with retailers."
During his time as economic director, Kyger will work in tandem with the city manager as well as the Community Improvement Corporation, a non-profit corporation created to pursue economic development within the Oxford area.
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