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Letter from the President:

I would like to share my thoughts on Oxford. I love this borough and all the ways in which it is changing and growing. It is listed as one of the best small towns in America, and for good reason.

I appreciate what Oxford is becoming. This community is very welcoming and open to all. It has a rich history, and has always been known as the halfway point between Baltimore and Philadelphia, before I-95 was built. 

Now, I did not grow up in this area, and have only been here since 2013. But I have found, in my short four-year stay here, the beauty and growth that is occurring right here in Oxford.

We are getting a new parking garage coming very soon to a corner near you, and I think it is a good thing. In order for Oxford to continue to grow onward and upward, we need this garage. I have visited with many of the local business and property owners in Oxford, and found many of them on board with the parking garage. I have also found some with mixed emotions about it.

It is very interesting what you can find out by attending the Borough Council meetings as well. People come in to voice their opinions for and against the garage. There is a period in each meeting where Mr. Hershey will open the floor and allow public comment. 

I have also asked those who normally attend our monthly Chamber meetings, “Are you for or against the parking garage?” There was not one member who said they did not want the garage. 

As a board member of the Oxford Arts Alliance, I see the changes happening on First Fridays and the very large crowds that don’t appear to want to leave after the end of the event. I am encouraged by all the new art spaces in town. There is Vickie Vinton’s Studio 23, the expansion of the Arts Alliance at the Art Annex, and the exciting new artist studio led by Erica Winne at Creative Spectrum. This is growth in Oxford, and with the mission of the Arts Alliance, “building community through art,” I believe they are achieving their goal.

These are businesses that the Chamber can wholeheartedly get behind, and working in conjunction with OMI, we are building a better community for all.

We have great support from the local businesses that very easily open their arms and loosen their purse strings when there is need. They are ready to help in many different ways – from product donations, to service and support, and in financial ways as well.

Finally, I want to talk about what the Chamber does. For many years, we have provided four annual $1,000 scholarships for graduating seniors pursuing higher education in Pennsylvania. We also provide one scholarship for employees of local businesses. This is all done through our Annual Golf Tournament.

We provide networking opportunities through our monthly business card exchange, we do ribbon cuttings for new businesses in the community, and we offer discount advertising in our bi-annual magazine, The Oxfordian.  It's a great resource for business contacts. It lists all of the local businesses that are members of the Chamber, including their address, phone number and e-mail address. We also have an Annual Dinner/Dance for Citizen of the Year.

There are 15 benefits to membership that will be listed on our website, so please check us out  ([email protected]) to see a more complete list of benefits.

I plan to visit each and every business in Oxford that is a member this year, and will continue to reach out to those that are not. I would like to give a big “Thank you” to all of the local businesses who continue to be members of the Chamber, because it shows that you are a supporter of Oxford and want to help make us the best small town in America.

Eric Maholmes

Oxford Area Chamber of Commerce President