Demographic Research Firm Comes to Oxford

By Lauren Kelly, Miami Valley News Network

OXFORD, OHIO, Nov. 11, 2010 -- A Columbus-based firm will soon begin assessing the purchasing power and Uptown spending habits of Oxford residents and Miami University students thanks to a Nov. 2 City Council vote.

The company will track consumer spending through on-site research, credit card records, and ultimately determine what Oxford residents and Miami students are missing, looking for, and willing to spend money on.

"They really seem to identify with what our market is and what we want to go after," said Oxford Economic Developer Alan Kyger.

For example, Front Street will address Oxford's small population, according to Kyger. In preparing for its bid, the company indicated that Oxford’s recruiting efforts might be better focused on finding comparable communities to find successful businesses which may find Oxford’s market similar and attractive. Smaller, entrepreneurial or niche companies are most likely to set up shop in Oxford.

Council member Greg Rutherford expressed his interest in seeing Front Street focus on these businesses.

"I think our local entrepreneurs are top tier," Rutherford said during the City Council meeting. "They may not be national, but they're definitely top tier. We want entrepreneurship more than anything, or at least I do personally."

Aaron Whittaker of Front Street Analytics, who was present at the City Council meeting, said he agreed with Rutherford.

"What we're talking about with this study is a very strategic assessment of the holistic marketplace. We need to do some of the homework for our strategic leasing purposes, so that as vacancies happen, we can be very thoughtful and pragmatic in how we actively pursue the right kind of entrepreneur to fill the top-tier need in the community."

Local businesses will also support Front Street's efforts, as they have pledged roughly $4,600 to the $40,000 contract. They will be recognized in some way by the City of Oxford.

"We are all aware of what this can bring us," Oxford mayor Richard Keebler said of Front Street's plans.

Front Street will begin this project in January, when it can involve Miami students in the research efforts.

For more information, check out the firm's website at www.frontstreetanalytics.com.

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