Ideas Being Compiled from EDGE Forums

Lawton, Ok. – According to Cameron University Director of Economic Development Gary Miller, the turnout was good at Cameron University November 4 as the public was invited to take part in developing Oklahoma's action plan for economic development. More than 100 of the 2,000-plus who participated in the public forums that morning at Oklahoma higher education locations around the state, gathered at Cameron's Shepler Center. "And they stayed and stayed to give suggestions," said Miller.
The session at Cameron was split into six discussion groups following the teleconference that included Governor Brad Henry, Higher Education Chancellor Paul Risser and Commerce Secretary Kathy Taylor.
Higher Education Board of Regents member Bill Burgess of TELOS-OK, who sits on the steering committee for the EDGE, said that one emphasis from this forum in Southwest Oklahoma would be the military perspective, something important to include in the plan with Oklahoma's five military installations including Ft. Sill.
Risser has stressed higher education playing a key role in economic development.
Former Ft. Sill Commander, MG (retired) Toney Striklin who is now with TELOS-OK, spearheaded a committee for the EDGE focusing on technology. Stricklin said in group discussion that along with the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University, Cameron University could work to develop important research efforts in the future.
Miller says the ideas gleaned from the Cameron discussions are being compiled and will be forwarded to the governor's office for addition to the plan.
The final report of the EDGE, Economic Development Generating Excellence, is due next month.