HAGERSTOWN, Md. (AP) — Hagerstown has hired a new downtown manager to help promote the city’s central business district.

Andrew Sargent has been hired as Hagerstown’s new downtown manager. Economic development manager Jill Estavillo says Sargent will be responsible for improving the economic and culture climate of the city’s downtown. Sargent replaces Christy Blake, who had been downtown business retention and recruitment manager.

Hagerstown Mayor David Gysberts says helping existing businesses and recruiting new ones are top priorities for the city’s economic development staff as it tries to revitalize the downtown core. City Councilman Martin E. Brubaker told The Herald-Mail of Hagerstown that attracting a larger business, possibly from a nearby metropolitan area like Washington, should be a major goal.

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