Promote Oxford Now (PON) is a Non-Profit Group made mostly of local businesspeople that seeks to promote and improve the Oxford business community while maintaining its history and culture. (Submitted photo)

By Sophia Root,

Commerce Chenango

OXFORD - Commerce Chenango would like to highlight a local initiative that demonstrates the strength, power, and collaboration of our community. Promote Oxford Now (PON) is a Non-Profit Group made mostly of local businesspeople that seeks to promote and improve the Oxford business community while maintaining its history and culture.

PON, with the help of many local organizations, is refurbishing a deteriorating home in downtown Oxford in hopes of selling it to a local family for an affordable price. The goal of this project is to encourage other businesses and organizations to do the same with foreclosed homes, saving properties and providing reasonably priced housing for our community.

Blueox donated the home, located on 52 North Washington Ave, to PON, and President Sarah Smith stated, “Blueox is providing the HVAC system and isn’t making us pay until after the sale of the house. Jared (Bartle) and Julia (Miller) were great to us, they took care of subdivision and closing costs. They have been supportive, and even though they don’t live in this community they are invested and don’t want to see this house torn down, they want to see it refurbished with a family inside of it.”

Along with the financial support of local foundations and the Oxford Industrial Development Corporation, PON has received the generous support of local businesses.

According to Smith, “Pete Faber of Faber’s Home & Kitchens feels passionately about this project and is giving PON a community discount on our custom kitchen, which has been really nice. Sherwin William’s donated 6 gallons of primer, Roma’s donated pizza to our roofers, and J&J Painting in Norwich have been flexible working with our limited budget.”

Smith also stated that New York Roofers, who completed the roof work in 15 hours, reworked their schedule to fit this project in, and were loyal to the quote they gave her last September, regardless of rising costs. The roof work total even ended up coming in under budget.

According to Smith, next for this project is getting new windows and electric installed. The house is now on NYSEG’s list for electric work, and there is a volunteer group in line to install windows. For now, Smith says, “I’m more than ok working with whatever people can give me. NYSEG said their work is late on their end, it is perfect for us.” PON predicts that this project will be done by Spring of next year.

Commerce Chenango celebrates this project as an achievement in community collaboration and looks forward to the doors this opens for economic development and sustainable housing in our county. If you would like to contribute to this project, as a volunteer, supporter or donor, contact promoteoxfordnow@gmail.com.