Ogden Downtown Alliance cites record attendance and $millions in local impact, seeks more staff and legal support

Reid Thompson, executive director of the Ogden Downtown Alliance, told the Ogden City Council during a Feb. 10 work session that the Alliance’s 2025 season produced record attendance at signature events and “immense” economic impact while pressing for more staffing and clearer legal guidance as events expand.

Thompson said the Alliance — a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that does not collect downtown membership dues or rely on a business improvement district — uses partnerships and sponsorships to run events. He told the council the organization distributed more than $42,000 in SNAP/EBT incentives to low-income households through Farmers Market Ogden and served about 1,165 customers via food-access programming.

Why it matters: Alliance events are a major driver of downtown commerce, Thompson said, but growth is increasing operational strain on a small staff and raising public‑safety and liability questions that the nonprofit cannot unilaterally resolve.