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.
Dayton is no stranger to innovation, creativity, and reinvention—and now, there’s a new leader helping tell that story. As Destination Dayton President & CEO John Oney wraps up his first quarter on the job, we thought there was no better way to introduce him than through a casual Q&A.From his first impressions of Dayton to the vision he brings from his experience in destination marketing, this conversation offers a behind-the-scenes look at the person and perspective guiding Dayton’s visitor economy forward.
Exploring the outdoors adventures at Five Rivers MetroParks and hitting the Great Miami Trail kicks things off for me. Of course, I’ll need to stay fueled up and I look forward to doing that at Milano’s, Old Scratch and The Foundry. I’m looking forward to my first Dayton Dragons game this summer along with checking out our amazing arts and culture scene. Then of course, there is pickleball. Looking forward to getting back on the courts asap.
That was a long time ago, so I traded in my golf clubs for a pickleball paddle. See you on the courts!
If someone is visiting Dayton for the first time, I think one experience they absolutely have to have is visiting the National Museum of the United States Air Force. It’s not only the largest military aviation museum in the world, but it also tells a powerful story about innovation, courage, and the role Dayton has played in shaping aviation history.
As spring brings a season of hope and healing, Artemis Center is recognizing Sexual Assault Awareness Month by raising awareness of an important expansion in services for survivors in the Dayton community.
“April is a time to shine a light on survivors, their resilience, and the importance of making sure no one has to face violence alone,” said Jane Keiffer, Executive Director. “Artemis has long been known for our work supporting survivors of domestic violence. Today, we want our community to know that we are also here for survivors of sexual assault.”
For many in the community, Artemis Center is a familiar and trusted name. But leaders say more awareness is needed so survivors know where to turn for sexual assault support. Artemis encourages survivors, family members, friends, and concerned community members to call the 24-Hour Artemis Center Hotline at 937.461.HELP (4357) any time, day or night, for support, safety planning, crisis intervention, information, and connection to services.
During Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Artemis Center is also calling on the community for support. As the organization grows to meet increasing needs, community partnership is more important than ever. Support from donors, advocates, and community members helps ensure survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault can access safety, healing, and hope. Community members wishing to support Artemis Center may make a donation here: 
Sip Into Something Sweet
Running April 10th through 12th, the production brings together choreographers Alia Kache, Gary W. Jeter II, and Brandon Ragland, who have each crafted new works set to the sounds of Dayton funk legends like Ohio Players, Zapp, Heatwave, Lakeside, Faze-O, and Shirley Murdock. The evening also features a world premiere composition by LaFrae Sci.
NEW! Strawberry Angel Food Cake Blizzard Treat – Light and fluffy angel food cake pieces and real strawberries blended with our world-famous soft serve to BLIZZARD® Treat perfection and garnished with whipped topping.
Ohio Goes to the Movies 
Miami Valley Meals (MVM) is celebrating six impactful years of nourishing the community on March 25. The nonprofit has continued to expand its services to meet the increasing demand for healthy, accessible meals in the Miami Valley community as food insecurity rates continue to rise. On April 3, they will be hosting a free meal distribution at City of Victory Deliverance Church in Trotwood.
Amanda DeLotelle, Executive Director and Co-Founder, remarks on 6 years, “As Miami Valley Meals marks its sixth anniversary, we’re incredibly grateful for the community that has walked alongside us. From day one, Dayton has shown up for us and we want to keep going – to make sure everyone has meals made with love.”
On the day of their anniversary, March 25, the staff at MVM plan to volunteer at partnering organizations like URS Dayton, Hope Hill, East Dayton Fellowship, Salvation Army, and Dayton Equity Center in an effort to give back beyond their ongoing donations of meals.
There are certain songs that don’t just play, they land. They hit you somewhere between the chest and the memory, and suddenly you’re seventeen again, windows down, singing like no one’s watching. Tom Petty had a gift for writing those songs, and this Saturday night, a Dayton all-star band is keeping that gift alive.
If you’ve never been to a silent disco, here’s the deal: everyone wears wireless headphones and gets to choose their own musical adventure. This year’s Prom Night features three DJs spinning simultaneously — flip between channels all night long:
