Governor's EDGE Conference Hosted by Three Eastern Oklahoma State College Campuses
(Press Release 10-24-03)
Hank Mooney, Office of Public Information

Eastern Oklahoma State College will host public forums covering a draft plan to improve Oklahoma's economic development on three campuses in Wilburton, McAlester and Idabel from 9 a.m. to noon Tuesday, Nov. 4. Eastern joins 25 other higher education institutions around the state hosting forums on their campuses that day.

Oklahoma’s EDGE (Economic Development Generating Excellence) is a joint project of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce and the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.

Through most of August and September, 23 expert teams have been developing a draft action plan to improve Oklahoma’s economy. Local steering committee members include Wanda Bass, First National Bank and Trust Company, from McAlester and Mike Bailey, Assistant Chief of the Choctaw Nation, from Durant.

Teams are composed of individuals who have started businesses, run business and organizations and participated in all parts of business, industry education and government. These 260 leading Oklahomans represent all regions of the state, both political parties, a range of socioeconomic circumstances and many perspectives.

Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry will host a live statewide video presentation via OneNet to kick off the forums on Nov. 4 and will be joined by Secretary of Commerce Kathy Taylor and Chancellor Paul G. Risser. During that time, a summary of proposals will be reviewed and local discussions will follow. It will be an open conversation intended to identify a few key ideas that should be included in the state’s economic blueprint. Leadership Oklahoma is playing a significant role in the process, working with higher education institution to help organize these events.

Henry said that the public forums are a vital part of the process and believes some good ideas will come out of them.

“I’m looking forward to participating in the public forums and hearing what people are saying,” he said. “I’m encouraged by the bold thinking that has been going on, and I hope we have a good turnout on Nov. 4."

Following the Nov. 4 sessions, the steering committee will convene again and consider all of the recommendations and comments. A final EDGE report will be presented by the Governor to the state Dec. 3.

The recommendations from each of the expert teams and more information about the public forums can be found at www.okedge.org.

The proposed plan and further forum information is available online at www.okedge.org.

After the Nov. 4 sessions, the steering committee will reconvene to consider the recommendations and comments. A final report will be presented by the governor on Dec. 3.

Forum sites are East Central University, Ada; Western Oklahoma State College, Altus; Northwestern Oklahoma State University, Alva; University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma, Chickasha; Rogers State University, Claremore; Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Durant; University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond; Redlands Community College, El Reno; Northwestern Oklahoma State University, Enid; Oklahoma Panhandle State University, Goodwell; Eastern Oklahoma State College, Idabel; Langston University, Langston; and Cameron University, Lawton.

Also, Eastern Oklahoma State College, McAlester; Northeastern Oklahoma State A&M College, Miami; Rose State College, Midwest City; Northeastern State University and Connors State College, Muskogee; University of Oklahoma, Norman; Oklahoma City Community College, Oklahoma City; Northern Oklahoma College, Ponca City; Carl Albert State College, Poteau; Seminole State College, Seminole; Oklahoma State University, Stillwater; Northeastern State University, Tahlequah; Murray State College, Tishomingo; Oklahoma State University-Tulsa; Tulsa Community College, Tulsa; Southwestern Oklahoma State University, Weatherford; and Eastern Oklahoma State College, Wilburton.