In my corner of the state, a new organization, the Northwest Oklahoma Alliance, is trying to reverse the trends of decline.
The stated goals are:
Slow out-bound migration
Develop employment opportunities
Increase employee earnings
Increase population
Build of the “niche” of Northwest Oklahoma
Expand opportunities for Northwest Oklahoma Value Added businesses
Promote Northwest Oklahoma to potential employers
Sounds very good. The rub is trying to do this over such a huge area, and to do it by committee. The good news: an intern is on board to coordinate for a while.
Technorati tags: small business, economic development, rural