Oxford-Lafayette County Economic Development Foundation held an “unveiling lunch party” Wednesday at The Oliver Hotel, to announce that EDF will be working with strategies advisors to create an economic development strategic plan.

EDF Chief Executive Officer Ryan Miller announced that the Boyette Strategic Advisors, headed up by founder Del Boyette, has been hired by the EDF to do the economic impact evaluation and analysis, create economic development and workforce strategies, as well as provide a feasibility study for Lafayette County.

Miller said Oxford, Lafayette, and the University of Mississippi need to work together to prepare for the LOU community’s future.

“We need better organization,” Miller said. “We’ve got to be better aligned and better coordinated with our resources. We have no choice but to focus our efforts in a much more collaborative way.”

Boyette and his team will meet with local city, county and university officials, organizations, and community members over the next six months to develop a strategic plan for the LOU community that will focus on economic development.

Boyette said he is excited to work with Oxford and looks forward to meeting with community leaders and members in the coming months.

“We will be looking at things like, what will entice or encourage investment in job creation, what is the right type of investment and the right type of job creation for Lafayette County,” he said.

Boyette said an official launch town hall-style meeting will be announced when plans are finalized.