Tri-counties downtown organizations are ramping up their efforts to help merchants navigate choppy economic waters. And Oxnard, the region’s largest city, has a new leader to drive downtown economic development.

Abel Magaña is the new executive director for the Oxnard Downtown Management District, a business improvement district. He comes on as the Economic Development Corp. of Oxnard is taking over running the district for the next two years.

Downtown Oxnard businesses voted to pay a little extra in their property tax bill to support the management district starting in 2001. It initially focused on getting more police on the street, cleaning up sidewalks and beautifying and lighting the area.

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