Community-Led Downtown Revitalization
Investing in Ourselves: Local Insight, Local Ownership, Local Accountability
The Wayne County Land Trust is a community-driven, nonprofit investment entity created by the Wayne County Foundation and other local partners and stakeholders to accelerate the revitalization of our county’s core communities. Our vision is to realize stronger town centers and thriving neighborhoods across the county. The Trust builds on more than a decade of preparation and aligns with successful local & regional initiatives to amplify impact; all while being led by local decision-makers who understand our unique communities and challenges.
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Our Priorities
Housing
Increasing housing supply to attract new residents and support current families
Assets
Leveraging natural and cultural assets to enhance quality of life for everyone
City Corridors
Developing thriving center city corridors in Centerville, Hagerstown, Fountain City, Richmond, and Cambridge City
Available Properties
FAQ
What is the Wayne County Land Trust?
The Wayne County Land Trust is a community-driven, nonprofit investment entity created by the Wayne County Foundation and other local partners and stakeholders to accelerate the revitalization of our county’s core communities. In short, its mission is to restore our downtown, preserving historic buildings and creating new opportunities for housing and small business, creating a better place for those who live here today, and for those who call Wayne County home in the future. The Trust is designed to be a long-term owner of the properties it restores so that the profits are reinvested back into the community in perpetuity.
Our goal is to maximize every dollar by investing in projects that deliver long-term benefits for the entire county. By empowering neighborhood stakeholders, we ensure that revitalization efforts are inclusive and sustainable.
The Wayne County Land Trust is more than an investment in buildings-it’s an investment in people, community, and the future of Wayne County. By coordinating with municipalities, private developers, local contractors, and community organizations, the Trust helps transform underutilized spaces into thriving, accessible downtown centers that reflect the diverse character of Wayne County. Let’s revitalize our downtowns together.
How does it work?
The Trust is focused on restoring and revitalizing our downtowns at scale (multiple buildings) rather than one-off projects, deploying capital into initiatives with measurable community benefit—particularly in areas that have been underserved or overlooked. As a not-for-profit organization, it is subject to the same public reporting and accountability as any other not-for-profit.
Who owns the buildings?
The Wayne County Land Trust will purchase the buildings and will engage real estate development experts to facilitate the revitalization and construction. Once completed, the Trust will continue to own the properties and will engage property management professionals to operate them on behalf of the Trust.
Will this raise my taxes?
No. The Trust is funded through philanthropic and investment capital. Although the trust is a 501c3, the properties will remain on the tax rolls and continue to contribute to local tax revenues. The Wayne County Land Trust is more than an investment in buildings-it’s an investment in people, community, and the future of Wayne County.
What will success look like?
Success means more housing options, bustling downtowns, new business opportunities, and a stronger sense of belonging for everyone in Wayne County. We envision downtowns that are welcoming, accessible, and reflective of our county’s diversity.
Why now?
To continue momentum and invest in our county.
Who makes the decisions?
The Wayne County Foundation Board, with community and stakeholder input, appoints the Trust Board. The Trust Board consists of five local private sector leaders experienced in real estate, law, finance, and economic investment. A local advisory committee also supports their work. All serve on a volunteer basis.
Staff
Board of Directors
Brett Guiley
Chairman
Paul Witte
Treasurer
Robin Henry
Secretary
David Jetmore
Jesse Merk
Advisory Committee
Matty Ledgerwood
David Stidham
Sharon Ontko
Valerie Shaffer
Design Firms
The Wayne County Land Trust is proud to partner with PLATTE Architecture + Design and DELV Design to guide the historic redevelopment of Depot District and Main Street properties. Based in Cincinnati, Ohio, PLATTE brings two decades of experience in historic redevelopment, new builds, and scattered site development, blending old and new to create spaces with lasting character. Indianapolis-based DELV Design contributes deep expertise in architecture and design across industry lines, engaging executives, developers, civic leaders, and communities alike to shape environments that tell a place’s story. Together, these firms are helping bring historic preservation, adaptive reuse, and thoughtful design to the heart of Wayne County.
Our Partners
More Info: Revitalize Richmond
Revitalize Richmond is a community-powered initiative transforming downtown Richmond into a hub of living, learning, and leisure. Led by Earlham College and driven by local partners, the multi-year effort — supported by a $25 million grant from the Lilly Endowment’s College and Community Collaboration initiative — focuses on three areas: Activate (bringing businesses, events, and creativity downtown), Build (renovating historic buildings into modern, mixed-use spaces), and Connect (improving transportation and connections between Earlham’s campus and downtown). Running through 2028, the initiative represents more than $100 million in investment and is reshaping nine downtown buildings, activating 100 acres of the Whitewater Gorge, and creating new destinations at the heart of Richmond.
More Info: Retail Strategies
A National Firm, Working for Downtown Richmond
Through Revitalize Richmond, Earlham College has engaged Retail Strategies, a national municipal consulting firm, to lead retail recruitment, market analysis, and small business support for downtown. Retail Strategies is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama and has served nearly 1,000 communities across 31 states. Its Downtown Strategies division focuses exclusively on the work of bringing downtowns back to life: filling storefronts, strengthening the businesses already here, and connecting property owners with tenants who will thrive.
How the Partnership Works
Earlham College received a $25M grant from Lilly Endowment Inc.’s College and Community Collaboration initiative, supported by an additional $83M from community partners. That represents an investment of more than $100M in downtown Richmond. Retail Strategies supports the Business Development and Support pillar of that investment.
The firm’s work in Richmond includes:
- Market analysis. Retail Strategies studies Richmond’s trade area using mobile data, consumer psychographics, and retail gap analysis to identify the categories downtown can support today.
- Active recruitment. The team conducts targeted outreach to established regional brands within a 90-mile radius of Richmond, matching real concepts to real spaces.
- Small business training. A free online training platform is open to an unlimited number of Wayne County businesses, including a restaurant resiliency learning path built for food truck, catering, and specialty food operators ready to take the next step.
- Property owner engagement. Quarterly roundtables bring downtown property owners together around leasing best practices, tenant expectations, and building readiness.
Working Alongside the Wayne County Land Trust
The Land Trust is bringing quality commercial space back to East Main Street. Retail Strategies is bringing tenants to those spaces. Together with Revitalize Richmond and Earlham College, we are pushing in the same direction, because success for downtown Richmond is success for all of us.
Interested in a downtown space?
Contact Jenn Gregory, President of Downtown Strategies at Retail Strategies. jgregory@retailstrategies.com | 662.617.1711
