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INITIATIVE FOR THE FUTURE OF RURAL OKLAHOMA. Jackson County’s Initial Leadership Training Grant Program. Project Partnerships. Southwest Technology Center, Altus, Ok., Mr. Chris Fields (Formerly), Ms. Dianna Thompson
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INITIATIVE FOR THE FUTURE OF RURAL OKLAHOMA Jackson County’s Initial Leadership Training Grant Program
Project Partnerships • Southwest Technology Center, Altus, Ok., Mr. Chris Fields (Formerly), Ms. Dianna Thompson • Western Oklahoma State College (WOSC), Altus, Ok., Mrs. Lisa Greenlee and Mrs. Glenna Lundy
PROJECT DESCRIPTION • Originally 12 Members were asked to come together, one from each community • A discussion was undertaken to determine what would be beneficial to our county – The Results: • Development of a County Wide Economic Development (ED) Team • Consisting of Community ED Team Members
PROJECT DESCRIPTION CONT’D. • Extensive ED Training Program at both the Community and County Levels with the development of Community ED Profile Pictures • Election of One Member from Community Teams to sit on the County ED Team • Final Stage is Developing Action Steps toward an Identified Project and Long Term Plans
BRIEF COUNTY AND COMMUNITY PICTURE • Population and Community Information • County Population: (2000 Census) 28,439, (2001 Census Estimates) 27,661; A historical decline of 1.13% • City of Altus – (2000 Census) 21,447 • Remaining Communities (11) – (2000 Census) 6,992
PROJECT ACTIVITIES AND GOALS ACCOMPLISHED • Hosting a County-Wide 8 Session Community and Economic Development Training Conference • Enhanced Community Interaction and Knowledge of Economic Development • Establishment of Community Economic Development Teams (Engaging 12 Communities) • Establishment of a County Wide E.D. Team
PROJECT ACTIVITIES AND GOALS ACCOMPLISHED (CONT’D.) • Development of a Community Economic Development Resource Material Binder • Establishment of a Pictorial Binder of Project Efforts • Conducting and Completing 3 Survey/Evaluations
CHALLENGES AND LESSONS • Challenge One: Getting 12 Communities together to be involved • Lesson One: Wasn’t quite as hard as I thought, indicating a desire for this material • Challenge Two: Finding individuals who have enough time to devote to this long term (busy lifestyles) • Lesson Two: You must be aware of what folks can handle!
CHALLENGES AND LESSONS (CONT’D.) • Challenge Three: Working with internal and external community politics • Lesson Three: Must be willing to get “somewhat involved” in what the community is going through • Challenge Four: Keeping up a Long Term Effort • Lesson Four: Requires Long Term Commitment on OCES’s part
THE FUTURE • The County-Wide Team has now begun work together on targeting projects and potential grant dollars • Establish a working relationship with County Government on handling any grant money received • Working through the natural evolution of the Team and how it will function long term in the County Community • Establishment of Long Term Community and Economic Development Training Classes with our partners to help sustain both community and county commitment to this effort