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

The Jackson County Community and E.D. Leadership Team