Greetings!
This weekend there will be numerous festivities taking place celebrating the 4th of July. Independence Day is a special day in our nation's history that reminds us of our freedom. As I reflect on the meaning of this holiday, I am drawn to this quote by former President George W. Bush; "America has never been united by blood or birth or soil. We are bound by ideals that move us beyond our backgrounds, lift us above our interests and teach us what it means to be citizens." Each of us comes from different backgrounds, opinions, and areas of focus. However, we all have the common goal to make our community better. Enid is fortunate to be a community that values citizenship. It's not uncommon to hear that someone's favorite part about Enid is the people. Every person that lives in Enid is a key part of what makes us unique. It is because of our citizens we have been blessed with opportunities that moved Enid forward and gained national attention as a place where people should live, work, and raise a family.
Take the time this weekend to remind yourself of the freedom we have been granted and the blessing we have to live in Enid, Oklahoma.
Sincerely,
|
|
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
Jerry Allen
Todd Hamilton
Non Voting:
Jerald Gilbert
Jon Blankenship
|
|
Last chance to register for the July Quarterly Luncheon. Our guest speaker will be Dave Rowland, CEO of 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.
ERDA Quarterly Luncheon
July 8, 2021
11:30 am - 1 pm
Oakwood Country Club
|
|
|
|
|
Enterprise Grain Selected as Oklahoma Innovation Expansion Program Recipient |
On April 27, the Oklahoma Department of Commerce (Commerce) opened applications for the Oklahoma Innovation Expansion Program (OIEP). Applications closed on Friday, May 7. During the application period, Commerce received 137 submissions requesting $24.7 million for projects. Of those applications, 108 projects received awards ranging from $25,000 to $150,000 with the total awards funding reaching $7.74 million. The funding will facilitate $49.6 million in projects. These companies plan to create 680 jobs with a total payroll of $28.5 million.
Enterprise Grain Company of Kremlin was selected as one of the 108 recipients. Enterprise Grain Company is a diversified grain handling and storage operation that offers inputs and services to farmers, ranchers and area communities with a focus on integrated specialty crops for food processors.
|
|
Learning to 'build up' downtown through upper floor living |
Enid has a lofty goal as it further pushes its downtown to new heights.
Forty-two people from across Oklahoma learned the essential steps of upper-floor downtown living during Main Street’s two-day workshop at Stride Bank Center.
Those both from and visiting Enid sat through several hours of scheduled sessions Tuesday and Wednesday, hearing experts on areas such as property management, construction and renovation, city and fire code, historical tax credits and economic development in downtown.
|
|
|
|
|
Koch Fertilizer turnaround brings in 3,000 workers to perform maintenance, boosts local economy |
The Koch Fertilizer nitrogen production facility in Enid just completed a turnaround to perform maintenance and upgrade systems.
According to a press release from Koch, the maintenance and upgrades performed during the turnaround improved efficiency, further enhanced safety and ensured long-term viability of the Enid plant.
“Turnaround activities are a key part of keeping this state-of-the-art facility running at peak efficiency so Koch can continue delivering long-term value to our customers,” Mike Kleis, Koch Fertilizer Enid plant manager, said in the release.
Some of the maintenance performed during the turnaround include replacing equipment, performing stress tests, repairing critical equipment and cleaning, Kleis said in an email.
In addition to the nearly 300 Koch employees in Enid who take part in maintenance activities or perform their normal duties, around 3,000 workers from 36 outside contractors to the area were brought to Enid for the turnaround, the release said.
|
|
Enid Outlaws Finish Regular Season as Central Conference Champions |
Congratulations to the Enid Outlaws on finishing the regular season with an 22-2 record! The Outlaws will now be the top seed in the TBL Playoffs. The Outlaws first home playoff game is Friday, July 2nd at 7:00pm against Omaha.
Tickets are available starting at $8.
|
|
|
|
|
Heartland Economic Development Course Provides Intensive Professional Development |
Debbie Moore and Trent Misak of the Enid Regional Development Alliance were two of 170 economic development professionals to attend the Heartland Economic Development Course (HEDC) in April. Heartland attendees receive fundamental economic development training on topics ranging from business, retention and expansion, workforce development, real estate and entrepreneurship to marketing, finance, ethics and managing economic development organizations.
“Debbie and Trent’s participation in the Heartland Economic Development Course will help them continue to provide excellent service to our existing and prospective industries, says Lisa Powell, ERDA Executive Director. The knowledge they gained in the course will benefit our organization as we strive to make Enid the best place to live, work, and grow in the state of Oklahoma.”
|
|
Enid Honored at RedBud Awards |
Congratulations to Red Bird Farms, Holidays on Ice and Visit Enid for being recognized during the RedBud Awards hosted by the Oklahoma Travel Industry Association.
Open to all Oklahoma tourism entities, which includes Visit Enid, the RedBud Awards represent the highest honor given in the state industry. Red Bird Farm and Holidays on Ice were nominated by Visit Enid.
Red Bird Farms was nominated in the Outstanding Agritourism Attraction Category and Holidays on Ice was nominated in the Best Partnership Category. Both Red Bird Farms and Holidays on Ice received the Merit Award.
Congratulations to both attractions on your nominations. We are fortunate to have these unique attractions in our community!
|
|
|
|
|
Enid retailers, restaurants, entertainment venues, and hotels continue to do well as they serve consumers from across NW Oklahoma.
Enid's April Sales Tax report is up 26.96%. YTD sales tax is up 1.39%.
|
|
'Help wanted' signs are out in Enid, rest of the country |
Drive around Enid and you will notice “Help Wanted” signs in every window. No matter the job, CNA to CPA, employers can’t find the people they need. While it feels like a very specific problem to Enid, it isn’t. Every community in the country is struggling with finding people who can fill open jobs. The inability to fill open positions limits a business’ ability to reach its full earning potential and is the greatest limiting factor for economic growth in both Enid and the U.S.
A labor shortage is nothing new to Northwest Oklahoma. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a growing need for labor in the hospitality, retail and manufacturing sectors. But the shortage we are seeing now seems different. While it is easy to blame the enhanced unemployment benefits as a cause for people staying out of the workforce, there are other changes underway.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
