Statement on DDP Organizational Refocus & Restructuring

The DDP Executive Committee and Board Chair Jason Woodard have released the followng statement about yesterday’s staff layoffs”

2026 marks the first year of a new five-year term for the Downtown Dayton Special Improvement District (SID), which represents Downtown Dayton’s property owners through a plan of services carried out by the Downtown Dayton Partnership (DDP). As the first year of a new SID term begins, the DDP’s Executive Committee took on a comprehensive review of the programs, staffing, and expenditures of the Downtown Dayton Partnership.

As a result of the full review of the organization, the items the DDP must deliver as part of the SID service agreement, and rising expenditures, a proactive approach was necessary to focus on the fundamentals that most directly influence the downtown experience and business climate. Moving forward, organizational work will be aligned with priority areas consistent with the SID Services Plan:

1. Clean & Welcoming Public Realm – Add resources to the Downtown Ambassador Program. This program enhances cleanliness and provides on-street resources to residents, workers, and visitors.

2. Activation & Vibrancy – Consistent, repeatable programming and placemaking that brings people downtown throughout the week. Additionally, the DDP is committed to a successful Art in the City and holiday program. Our goal is to better align these activities with available resources and create the biggest impact on downtown.

3. Economic Development Enablement – Supporting business attraction, retention, investment readiness, and coordinated storytelling about downtown Dayton.

To support this refocus, the Downtown Dayton Partnership Executive Committee has reduced staff and administrative overhead. Decisions like these are never easy, but necessary, for the long-term effectiveness of the DDP.

These structural changes realign organizational structure with strategic priorities, reduce internal complexity, and redirect a greater share of funding toward direct services, activation, and measurable downtown outcomes. This action is a deliberate decision to strengthen impact, credibility, and stewardship of resources.

Moving forward, all initiatives will be evaluated against these priorities and staff have been aligned to support those initiatives that directly fit the DDP’s mission.