There have been quite a few questions about economic development. I wanted you to be aware of this too.

ACOG News Brief: June 1, 2012
Central Oklahomans Asked to Comment on Regional Economic Development Strategy

Central Oklahomans are invited to comment on a regional economic development strategy that will identify opportunities for the region to expand job growth capacity.

Last year, the Association of Central Oklahoma Governments (ACOG) received a grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) to develop a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) for the four-county Central Oklahoma region. The area includes Oklahoma, Cleveland, Canadian and Logan counties.

A CEDS is a long-range plan that analyzes the challenges and opportunities related to economic and community development. It includes proactive strategies and recommendations for achieving economic development objectives, as well as a review of infrastructure projects that will help the region attain these goals.

After the public comment period, the CEDS will be submitted to EDA for approval this summer, with the anticipation that the region can then become a designated Economic Development District (EDD). An EDD designation provides EDA with a regional development strategy by which grant applications from communities and public-private partnerships in the region can be reviewed and funded.

The draft plan is available for download on ACOG’s website at www.acogok.org/ceds.asp.
The comment period runs from June 1 to June 30. Citizens can also request a hard copy by calling ACOG at 234-2264, or by emailing acog@acogok.org.

Written comments may be submitted by postal mail, at ACOG, 21 E. Main Street, Suite 100, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, by fax at 405-234-2200, by email at jchurch@acogok.org, on Twitter, or on ACOG’s Facebook page. All comments will be compiled and reviewed by staff and submitted along with the CEDS.