The staff (all two of us LOL) of the Okmulgee Area Development Corp (OADC) are individuals with diverse and relevant economic development experience, education, ideas and strengths.
Our organization's mission is to advance economic vitality in Okmulgee County through traditional economic development (industrial business retention and expansion, industrial and commercial business recruitment).
Within the scope of that mission, however, we have many roles.
WE ARE INFORMATION BROKERS:
It’s our business to figure out what makes Okmulgee work. It’s also our job to share facts and resources with anyone who is interested.
WE ARE CONNECTORS AND FACILITATORS:
We link business people with change-makers: investors, advisors, industry leaders, partners and employees. We also work to facilitate meetings or connections between those with community issues/concerns with those who might have the solutions. We also establish relationships, build networks, and generate resources to meet the needs of businesses.
WE ARE STORYTELLERS:
We are charged with the responsibility of sharing and amplifying the positive things about our community beyond its borders.
WE ARE CATALYSTS AND CHANGE AGENTS:
We try to support community initiatives to make things happen. This doesn't always make us popular because some people think they want change but they don't always want the stuff that comes with making the changes.
WE ARE ANALYSTS:
We must understand the strengths, weaknesses and comparative advantages of the local community, providing quantitative and qualitative information to stakeholders.
WE ARE ADVOCATES:
We try to protect the interests of businesses, advocating for the good of the entire community.
WE ARE VISIONARIES:
We try to look past short-term goals to envision goals for the greater economic good. We understand that this is a long game and that we may be planting seeds for a tree that we may never see grow to full height but the time for planting is always "now".
WE ARE EDUCATORS:
We inform the wider community about the costs and benefits of development initiatives. The OADC Staff is always available to make informative presentations to your civic club, social group, development company, etc.
We’re collaborative, entrepreneurial, innovative, social, creative and global.
As conduits, connectors, catalysts and storytellers, we help shape and share the story.
We definitely do NOT do this all on our own. We’re just one organization with a fairly specific focus area out of many local partners with their unique focus areas that collaborate toward our overall community’s development.