May 2018 Newsletter
Hello!

Somewhere in NW Oklahoma there is a blade of grass not growing in a pasture because an Eastern Redcedar is growing there instead. If we can find ways to eliminate cedars and grow more grass in our pastures allowing for more calves to graze, we will be growing the economy of NW Oklahoma. We should do that.

Somewhere in NW Oklahoma there is a drop of oil way down under the surface of our soil that is just sitting there undisturbed. If we can find ways to make sure we bring that drop to the surface at some point, we will be growing the economy of NW Oklahoma. We should do that.

Somewhere in NW Oklahoma there is a gust of wind blowing across a field that isn’t turning a single wind turbine blade. If we can turn more of that wind into electricity, we will be growing the economy of NW Oklahoma. We should do that.

Somewhere in NW Oklahoma there is a ray of sunshine that has traveled millions of miles and will fall to the ground without striking a single solar panel. If we can increase our competitiveness as a state and turn more of those rays into power, we will be growing the economy of NW Oklahoma. We should do that.

Somewhere in NW Oklahoma there is a field of wheat turning from green to gold before our eyes. If we can find ways to turn that grain into flour and dough instead of just loading it on a truck or train, we will be growing the economy of NW Oklahoma. We should do that.

And somewhere in NW Oklahoma there is a young person graduating from high school and making decisions on where they will go next. If we can show them that educational and career opportunities are abundant in our region, they can stay here and help us grow the economy of NW Oklahoma. We should do that.

Our state and our region have incredible natural resources that could launch us upward toward an even stronger economy. The Enid Regional Development Alliance is aggressively finding ways to add value to them. We need to fully utilize our pastures, our fossil fuels, our wind, our sunshine, our ag commodities, and our kids. If we accomplish all of this, we will be growing the economy of NW Oklahoma.

We should do that.

Brent Kisling
Executive Director
UPCOMING EVENTS

Oklahoma Gubernatorial Issues Forum
May 29, 2018 - 5:30 pm
CNB Center Grand Ballroom
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Enid Chamber Annual Banquet
June 12, 2018
Click here for more information.
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Enid Young Professionals 10 < 40 Awards
Nominations Due June 22, 2018
Awards Luncheon August 21st - Save the date!
Ticket information will be published very soon!
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ERDA Annual Membership Meeting
Wednesday, July 11, 2018
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Oakwood Country Club
1601 N. Oakwood Rd., Enid, OK
Registration and Guest Speaker information coming soon!

10 < 40 Nominations Now Open
Nominations are open for Enid Young Professionals 7th Annual 10 Under 40 Awards! Winners will be determined by an independent panel of judges and announced at the luncheon event, presented by Edward Jones, August 21 at the CNB Center Grand Ballroom. Click here to nominate a deserving young professional. Nominations are due by June 22nd.
RETAIL SALES UP AGAIN IN ENID
Retail sales in Enid are continuing on an upward trend for the fourth consecutive month. Enid sales are up $4.7 million, or 7 percent, from sales reported in May 2017, according to Oklahoma Tax Commission reports released this month. Overall, year to date, retail sales are up 2.6 percent. “The sales tax report is good news,” City Manager Jerald Gilbert said. Read more...
WIND EMPLOYER EXPANDING IN ENID
Transportation Partners and Logistics is now the largest storage and distribution company for wind components in the United States, Enid Regional Development Alliance Board learned in a meeting Thursday. “A lot of that’s because of Enid. They purchased an additional 80 acres and are looking to expand into that area — looking at some new buildings out on 66th Street, now that that’s been approved,” ERDA Executive Director Brent Kisling said.  Read more...
NEW ENID AGRITOURISM BUSINESS WINS COMPETITION
A Christmas tree farm and agritourism destination has won the Cherokee Strip Business Model Competition. Through the first-place win on Thursday, Red Bird Farm, owned by Kent and Becky Evatt, received $10,000 and one year of services through Autry Technology Center.
The farm will offer cut-your-own and pre-cut Christmas trees, handmade wreaths and gifts, a live animal nativity petting zoo and more throughout the year. Read more...
CITY SUPPORTS SOCCER COMPLEX
The city of Enid has budgeted approximately $1.1 million in capital improvements related to a new soccer facility in west Enid. City of Enid Engineering Director Chris Gdanski said there is a $12.8 million budget for the Capital Improvement Program, through which 51 projects will be funded in fiscal year 2018-19, beginning July 1. Read more...
TECHNOLOGY FLIES INTO THE FUTURE OF AGRICULTURE
The next generation in farm implements wowed an audience of Oklahoma agriculture and economic development leaders at Enid’s recent Future of Food Forum. It looked nothing like a new combine or a tractor. It was a drone, a pilotless, remote control aircraft often associated with military applications or hobbyists. This “farm implement” hovered over the floor of a large auditorium at Enid’s Central National Bank Center as the audience at the forum heard a discussion of its capabilities. Read more...
ENID PLACES 11TH BEST
Enid has ranked 11th among the top small cities to start a business, according to one study. More than 1,200 small cities — with populations between 25,000 and 100,000 were compared in the  study performed by WalletHub , a personal-finance website. The cities were compared on business environment, access to resources and business costs,  the WalletHub website states . Read more.. .
CHISHOLM TRAIL PARTNERSHIP WINS THREE AWARDS
The Oklahoma Travel Industry Association (OTIA) awarded the Chisholm Trail 150th Partnership with three of the state’s highest honors given in the Oklahoma tourism industry during the RedBud Awards Ceremony on Tuesday, May 15 in Oklahoma City. The partnership, comprised of Visit Enid, the Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center in Enid, the Chisholm Trail Heritage Center in Duncan and the Oklahoma Historical Society (OHS), won the RedBud Award for Outstanding Media Coverage and earned Merit Awards (category runner-up) for Best Partnership, and Best Tri-Fold or Single Sheet Brochure or Publication. Read more...
JOHNSTON SEED NAMED TOP SMALL BUSINESS IN OKLAHOMA
Oklahoma Lt. Governor Todd Lamb hosted the 20th Annual Oklahoma Small Business Day at the State Capitol this past week with dozens of Oklahoma small business owners in attendance. “For twenty years this special ceremony has placed a spotlight on Oklahoma small businesses, their owners and employees,” Lamb said. Read more...