Martha J. Miller joined the team at Downtown Ashland Association (then called Ashland Main Street Association) in 2019. Miller is a talented writer, strategist, and communications professional. She offered her services to the Association as a communications consultant at a critical time; she brought us to re-branding, built our first visitor-focused website, and reconfigured our communications strategy. Downtown Ashland Association would not be where we are today without Miller’s work. We are fortunate that she continues to offer her time and talents on our team.
Like many of our supporters, Miller’s roots tie her to Ashland. After attending middle school and high school in Ashland, Miller left for college and moved to Washington D.C., where she spent the next ten years. Fate called her and husband, Zach Miller, home a few years ago, and they have fallen in love with Ashland all over again.
“It is a great place to raise a family, and I love all the good changes that are happening here,” says Miller. “I have seen a huge amount of growth downtown, compared to when I was growing up here. That growth has been great to see. I love spending time downtown.”
Miller’s oldest son, Henry, enjoys the festivities at Ashland Train Day.
Miller says that she was driven to work with Downtown Ashland Association to support local businesses. While working with Ashland Theatre Foundation for its media launch, Miller met Executive Director Maggie Longest. “That was my first introduction to what Maggie does and the mission of the association,” Miller said. “I got really excited about what Downtown Ashland Association is doing because they were all things that I believed in anyway, so it was great to have the opportunity to get involved.”
Once on board, Miller was pleasantly surprised with the level of commitment within Downtown Ashland Association’s volunteers. “The thing that has been so illuminating and heartening is to see so many long-time volunteers,” she says. “I think it is unique to find that level of community involvement and commitment to a place where you live or work. I think everyone in the Ashland community feels very invested.”
The spirit of community shapes Miller’s communication strategy for Downtown Ashland. When asked how to advise a potential visitor to Ashland, Miller says, “Ashland is quaint, but it is quirky. We have a funky, growing, thriving culture here. We are a little off-beat, but we still have that southern, small-town charm. Ashland is a nice respite from the city, and it is very walkable. I would love to see more people who live in Richmond or Fredericksburg come spend the day here because it has that charm and appeal for all ages.” We couldn’t agree more!
See marthajmiller.com for further info about Martha J. Miller’s inspired writing, editing, public relations, and marketing.