The Ovid Town Board has formally established a Local Development Corporation (LDC) and named seven board members to lead the new nonprofit organization. The Ovid LDC will operate as a 501(c)(3) entity and work closely with town, county, state, and federal economic development organizations to promote job growth, business revitalization, and community development.
The board members appointed to the LDC are David Hughes, John Keeler, Bruce Murray, Larry Nikula, Ellen Smith, Jodie Vanselow, and Gary Xavier. Ex officio members include Ovid Town Supervisor Joe Borst and Ovid Village Mayor Aaron Roisen.
In New York, a 501(c)(3) LDC is a nonprofit created by local governments to support economic development initiatives. These organizations can operate similarly to government agencies but with more flexibility, including the ability to acquire land, issue bonds, provide loans and grants, and enter into public-private partnerships.
“The fire in January was devastating,” said Supervisor Borst, referring to the loss of the Big M grocery store in the village center. “After the closure of the Willard campus, this was a catalyst that led us to form the LDC to revitalize and rebuild the economy.”
Mayor Roisen added, “We realized we needed a dedicated entity to focus on economic development in the village and the town. I look forward to supporting the efforts of the LDC.”
Among the LDC’s initial priorities is community outreach to gather input and feedback on local economic needs. The organization will work with property owners to identify opportunities for redevelopment, focusing on vacant storefronts along Main Street and other underutilized properties. One urgent goal is to support the return of a grocery store to the village center.
The Ovid LDC holds public meetings on the first and third Wednesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. at the Ovid Fire House. Meeting minutes are posted on the Town of Ovid website at townofovidny.gov.
For more information, contact:
- Joe Borst, Town Supervisor, [email protected]
- Aaron Roisen, Village Mayor, [email protected]
- John Keeler, Ovid LDC Chair, [email protected]
