Medford City Council Advances Downtown Economic Improvement District

MEDFORD, Ore. (Jan. 10, 2026) — An ordinance establishing an Economic Improvement District for downtown Medford advanced this week after receiving unanimous approval from the Medford City Council, marking a key step in a two-year effort aimed at expanding investment in downtown services and economic activity.

The ordinance creates a framework for a proposed Economic Improvement District, which would allow for dedicated funding to support downtown operations, maintenance and business development. A public hearing on the district is expected in mid-February, when property owners and community members will have an opportunity to provide input before the proposal moves forward for final consideration.

At the same meeting, the Downtown Medford Association announced the launch of a Storefront Activation Program intended to address vacant commercial spaces in the downtown core. The program is funded by $25,000 from the City Council’s Community Initiative Fund and is expected to support the placement of three to five businesses into currently vacant storefronts.

According to the Downtown Medford Association, the program is designed to reduce long-term vacancies while supporting small business growth in areas targeted for economic development.

“The Economic Improvement District provides a structure for consistent investment downtown,” said Annie Jenkins, executive director of the Downtown Medford Association. “The Storefront Activation Program allows us to focus on near-term activation while supporting entrepreneurs interested in locating downtown.”

As part of the program, the association will host a series of “Reimagine Tours” that bring together property owners, prospective tenants and community partners to view available spaces and discuss potential uses. Similar tours were held in 2023 and 2024 and contributed to new business activity downtown, according to organizers.

Upcoming Reimagine Tours are scheduled for Jan. 29, Feb. 24 and April 9, each from 3 to 5:30 p.m. Advance registration is required.

City officials said the Economic Improvement District and the storefront program are intended to work together by pairing longer-term funding mechanisms with short-term efforts to activate underused commercial properties.

The Downtown Medford Association is a nonprofit organization focused on downtown revitalization efforts through business support, historic preservation and placemaking initiatives. More information is available at downtownmedford.org.