Greetings!
The start of Memorial Day weekend welcomes one of the best annual events in Enid. Since 2009, Enid has been the host of the NJCAA Division 2 World Series Tournament. This event brings 10 of the best teams from across the country to compete for the National Championship trophy. If you have never been to one of the games, I encourage you to head down to David Allen Memorial Ballpark over the next week.
One of Babe Ruth's most famous quotes was; "Never let the fear of Striking out get in your way." While this quote is geared to athletes when they approach the batter's box, it applies also to economic development. Through the Elevate Enid committees, we have identified big goals for our community. Many of these goals will take time, financial investment, and people to make them happen. Through the process, a few curve balls might be thrown our way but, we must keep our focus. If we give up on these ambitious ideas because we are down in the count we won't accomplish our goal to be the most business-friendly community in the state.
Like the difference the World Series has made over the past 11 years, numerous economic development efforts have taken place that has given us momentum. Enid, the bases are loaded. Are you willing to step up to the plate? If we work together, there is no doubt we can hit the game-winning grand slam.
Sincerely,
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ERDA Board of Directors
Sandra Robinett
Matt Parrish
Scott Athey
Brady McCullough
Martie Oyler
Don Roberts
Brian Henson
Scott Northcutt
Kyle Williams
Dave Lamerton
George Pankonin
Rob Stallings
Jonathan Waddell
Todd Hamilton
Non Voting:
Jerald Gilbert
Jon Blankenship
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Save the Date for the ERDA's Quarterly Luncheon on Thursday, July 8th at Oakwood Country Club. Our guest speaker will be Dave Rowland with the Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance. Dave will provide insight on the changes in the world supply change as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and highlight statewide initiatives including the new Connex program available for manufacturers.
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Connex Oklahoma is a unique online database tool developed by the Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance in partnership with the Oklahoma Department of Commerce. The free platform allows manufacturers to connect, find alternate suppliers, explore production capabilities, and view their supply chain visually. Just as important, it also helps manufacturers identify single-supplier risks, and find opportunities for diversification in their supply chain.
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Oklahoma manufacturers are invited to join these Zoom calls for deeper dives into the many advanced features of Connex Oklahoma.
Connex Oklahoma's Exchange Center
Wednesday | June 16 | 10 a.m.
Learn about the Exchange Center, which allows you to post and view RFPs, RFQs, RFIs, requests for surplus materials or equipment, and fully explore offers of other manufacturers using the database.
Writing a Productive Capability Statement
Wednesday | July 21 | 10 a.m.
Your company’s capability statement is an essential part of Connex Oklahoma. Learn tips and tricks to make sure all the important details are included that identify your production abilities.
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New Tool Available to Help Small Businesses with Commerce and Online Capabilities |
The Oklahoma Main Street Center announced the launch of Main Street Online, a new tool developed by Main Street America to help small businesses grow and strengthen their online and ecommerce capabilities. The tool is available at no cost to any small business and provides guidance on Point of Sale systems, website platforms, content creation software and more. It was designed specifically for small businesses with 20 or fewer employees in the retail, service, and food and beverage sectors.
Supported by GoDaddy, the tool assesses the unique needs of individual small businesses and offers customized guidance for implementing and maximizing solutions to improve their digital presence.
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Oklahoma A-XP: Bridging the Skills Course |
This program provides a six week, evening course to bridge oil and gas engineers into Oklahoma's second largest industry - Aerospace.
Each week builds upon the other with different principals of the aerospace industry beginning with aerospace terms and practices, advancing to quality and airworthiness.
Start Date: June 22-July 29th (meets Tuesday and Thursday from 6-10p.m.)
Cost: $500 per person
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St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center has been named one of America’s Best Hospitals for Emergency Care and Obstetrics by the Women’s Choice Award®, America’s trusted referral source for the best in healthcare. The award signifies that St. Mary’s is in the top 1 percent of 4,542 U.S. hospitals offering emergency care services and the hospital is in the top 6 percent of 4,542 hospitals offering obstetrics.
“We are honored to have been recognized by the Women’s Choice Award for Emergency Care and Obstetrics,” says Krista Roberts, CEO at St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center. “I am grateful to have an extraordinary team of physicians and dedicated staff who continue to raise the bar, working to provide excellence in patient care,” she says.
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United Way of NW Announces Makes Available $20,000 for Venture Grants |
The United Way of Northwest Oklahoma is making funds available for Venture Grants for area non-profits. This funding is in addition to the 2021 regular allocations provided to the 15 United Way member agencies.
Applicants are required to present measurable data or other indicators that strongly identify the need for the service in the community and measures the impact their program will have in changing those numbers.
Any non-profit 501(c)(3) human service organization in the 17 counties served by United Way of NW Oklahoma is eligible to apply. The due date for Venture grant applications is June 30, 2021. Grant forms can be downloaded from the United Way of NW OK website at: www.unitedwayenid.org or an application can be received via email or mail by contacting the United Way office at 580-237-0821.
For more information regarding the Venture Grant process contact Dan Schiedel, CEO of United Way of NW OK at: dan@unitedwayenid.org.
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Real estate market ‘booms’ with low interest rates, lack of inventory |
In his nearly 30 years in the real estate business, Tom Andrew has never seen a housing market like the current one.
Low interest rates, fewer homes on the market and houses selling quickly have made for an unusual time in the business, said Andrew, the broker and owner of Andrew Real Estate.
“We’ve had times when the rate has gotten low, but we’ve never had an interest rate like this,” he said. “When it got down to 200 houses (on the market), it was like, ‘Wow, I can’t believe there’s only 200 houses,’ but now to have less than 100 is really just unprecedented, and when something is for sale, they don’t stay for sale for very long, either.”
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Downtown Enid is a Place for Food, Entertainment, and Economic Growth |
Take a trip to Downtown Enid and you will be impressed with what is happening. Over the years, Downtown Enid has worked to make the area a focal point where the community can shop, dine, and be entertained. In any community, it is vital to have a thriving downtown to support overall economic growth. Downtown business owners, the City of Enid, and Main Street Enid have invested numerous resources to make our downtown one of the best in the state.
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