The oxford Square is seen earlier this school year.
Thomas Graning I The Daily Mississippian
On Jan. 28 the Tennessee Valley Authority designated the Lafayette-Oxford-University community a Valley Sustainable Gold Community.
Oxford is the first city in Mississippi to be awarded gold status by the Tennessee Valley Authority Economic Development, an award recognizing sustainability preparedness, economic vitality and environmental societal commitment such as health and wellness.
“This award represents the passion and hard work of Oxford to develop sustainable practices,” said Jon Maynard, president and CEO of the Oxford-Lafayette County Economic Development Foundation and Chamber of Commerce. “By bridging the values of our community with the values and practices of industrial and business prospects, Oxford has differentiated itself from every other community in Mississippi.”
Boyette Strategic Advisors, an economic consultant company working with the Tennessee Valley Authority, evaluated the city of Oxford, Lafayette County and The University of Mississippi on their efforts and commitments to economic sustainability.
The gold level award means that a community has taken a leadership role in implementing sustainable practices and has made a commitment to sustainability efforts focused on economic development, according to Del Boyette, president and CEO of Boyette Strategic Advisors.
Programs such as Good Food for Oxford Schools and the Sustainability Leadership Awards and buildings like the Haley Barbour Center for Manufacturing Excellence and the Innovation Hub at Insight Park, along with Caterpillar and Winchester manufacturing companies, were highlighted for their dedication to the sustainability and economy of Oxford as getting a gold status award.
The O.U.T. bus public transit system, bike lanes and recycling were also noted as valuable practices of sustainability that helped contribute.
“Our community will attract more businesses that will respect the values of Oxford and bring people and practices to Oxford that will help us move into the future without losing our values,” Maynard said.
Maynard said Boyette Strategic Advisors gave the Lafayette-Oxford-University community several recommendations for future developments in order to maintain the gold status, most of which include expansions of the already existing sustainable practices.
