Venture Portland, a nonprofit that has historically provided grants and staff support to business districts across the city, ousted its executive director this week.

Venture’s board of directors voted Oct. 15 to ask executive director Joy Church to exit the organization.

“I want to inform you that, effective today, Joy Church is no longer serving as Executive Director of Venture. We thank her for her contributions during her tenure and wish her the best in future endeavors,” wrote Venture board president Eric Larpenteur in an Oct. 29 email. “Please be assured that the organization remains strong and stable.”

Church’s departure comes just six months into a turbulent time for Venture. After decades of contracting with the city’s economic development agency to support business associations

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