Leader Energizes Community Group

By Rob Hedelt, The Free Lance-Star | Posted: Tuesday, August 25, 2009

HE'S been in the job less than a year, but Orange Downtown Alliance's Jeff Curtis already thinks, talks and lives his new job of making the historic town a better place to live.

The 54-year-old Ohio native was picked as the director of the ODA earlier this year.

In his months at the helm, he's managed to pump new energy into the group that exists to do promotion, economic development, design and organizational work.

It's goal is "to improve the quality of life for the people who live, work and visit in downtown Orange."

That's a broad mission statement, and with limited funding in a tight economy, it is one that requires Curtis to seek all the volunteers and donors he can find for projects that can range from putting decorative planters on street corners to helping support events like a statewide bike tour that recently visited.

"We're here to help promote our local businesses and to help improve the infrastructure and appearance of the town in any way that will attract new ones," said Curtis, noting that the nonprofit association is a member of the Virginia Main Street program.

Perhaps an even bigger part of his job is to pull together all the different groups, and do consensus and team-building wherever possible.

"There are some amazing people with a wide range of talents here in Orange," said Curtis. "I see it as part of my job to get those people together whenever possible, working to create an agenda of things we can get done."

Some of his job is detail-oriented and technical, pursuing any grants or programs with funding to help Orange.

At other times, it's about helping promote awareness of what the town and county have to offer, and to promote events, institutions like a local farmers' market and historic attractions that lure people to the region.

"We've got so many historic and cultural attractions in our region, from Montpelier to Skyline Drive, that attract people by the the thousands," said Curtis. "We've got to give those people a reason to stop in Orange."

Curtis hasn't always worked in community development.

He grew up on a large dairy operation not far from Lake Erie and has worked in environmental education and natural resource management for the state game department. He also worked for a chamber of commerce in Rockwall, Texas, and a Main Street program in West Virginia.

Most recently, he served as the director of development for a private school in the Northern Neck.

He enjoys Orange and has already put his stamp on the ODA, creating an e-mailed newsletter that features people and businesses, as well as a revamped Web site.

Another effort has been to get more people involved, recruiting for the volunteer board and working to get more paid memberships.

"To get new programs or promotions going, sometimes it's just a matter of getting the ball rolling," he said. "I think that's one of the things our organization can help with."

Rob Hedelt: 540/374-5415
Email: rhedelt@freelancestar.com