New executive director named for La Grande downtown revitalization

La Grande Main Street Downtown announced that Allison Harvey will take over as executive director, beginning Jan. 12, following the organization's Jan. 9 announcement. Harvey steps into the role at a moment when downtown initiatives rely on steady leadership to coordinate business support, volunteer efforts and partnership-building.

Harvey brings more than seven years of experience in business development, nonprofit leadership, community outreach and program coordination. The organization said her track record includes building partnerships, supporting workforce development, leading volunteers and creating programs to strengthen downtown business districts. Those areas are central to the Main Street model in La Grande, which works with local businesses and groups to revitalize downtown La Grande and bolster commercial activity.

Harvey succeeds Sarah Marcotte, who had served in the position since January 2024. Marcotte’s two-year tenure helped maintain momentum on local projects and relationships with merchants, volunteers and civic groups; Harvey’s appointment will be judged on continuity as well as new initiatives she brings to the table.

For Baker County residents, the change in leadership matters because the executive director is the primary connector between downtown merchants, volunteer boards and municipal or regional funding sources. Harvey’s stated strengths in workforce development and partnership-building suggest a potential focus on tighter links between downtown employers and local job-training efforts, as well as expanded volunteer-led programming to drive foot traffic and coordinate storefront improvements.

From a market perspective, nonprofit leadership stability can influence small business confidence, event scheduling and the ability to capture grant funding. A director experienced in program coordination can shorten the lag time between grant awards and implementation, increasing the likelihood that downtown projects translate into visible street-level improvements and sustained customer flows for local shops and restaurants.

The transition also presents an opportunity for downtown stakeholders to reset priorities. Local merchants and civic groups can expect outreach from Harvey as she settles in; volunteers and workforce partners may see renewed emphasis on training pipelines and collaborative events designed to lift commercial activity across downtown La Grande.

Our two cents? Stop by a Main Street meeting or an upcoming downtown event, introduce yourself to the new director and offer practical support. A small volunteer hour or a clear local ask can help turn administrative experience into concrete wins for businesses on Court Street and beyond.