Alva Review-Courier -

The Woods County Economic Development Committee (WCEDC) is looking for a new member. Longtime member Doyle Wardrop has submitted his resignation. The committee is hoping to find someone from the Freedom area although that's not a requirement. Wardrop was the only member from that area of the county. The committee meets quarterly, usually on the second Tuesday of the month at noon.

The committee had just enough members for a quorum for the Dec. 12 meeting. Members present included Chairman Daren Slater, Kyle Murrow, Randy McMurphy and Dr. Steve Lohmann. Absent were Allan Poe and Sandie Olson. WCEDC Director Sonja Williams was also present.

The committee approved minutes of the June meeting and the financial report. Williams said the next fiscal year budget is about the same as last year. Income from the Waynoka Incubator site was removed since that site is currently vacant. The WCEDC typically operates with a negative balance budget which is adjusted as funds come in. If a need arises for more funding, Williams seeks donors to cover the need.

Avard Rail

Williams said she is still working on requirements to submit to Burlington, Northern and Santa Fe Railroad to have the Avard Rail Park listed as a certified location. She's also working on a similar proposal to be listed with the Oklahoma Department of Commerce. Those designations would help spread the word about advantages offered at the rail park.

Website Change

Since Williams no longer has office help, it has been difficult to keep the website updated. Tammi Frascht of Northwest Technology, along with her students, has been working to set up a static website. Links on the site will drive traffic to social media sites for more information. Those sites are updated more frequently.

Downtown Revitalization

Williams noted that the first phase of wayfinding signage has been put up in Alva. All the paperwork has been signed for the new Freedom West project which will be to remodel the old furniture store building on the north side of Alva's square. That project is expected to begin in January.

She said she's also working on an application for federal funding to help Avard with rural water.

New Option

An encouraging new option has been announced through the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Williams said USDA guaranteed loans through rural development funds can be transferred from a small business owner to employees who are interested in taking over operation of the business. This would be attractive to owners wishing to retire but having no family members to take over the business.

Lt. Gov. Turkey Hunt

The annual Lt. Governor's Turkey Hunt is being planned, although Williams didn't have the exact date available. She said she submitted a list of people to invite last week, but more names can be added. She asked the committee members to let her know if they knew of any prospects.

Slater spoke about the benefits of the turkey hunt to expose industrial and business prospects to what's available in northwest Oklahoma. In the past, guest hunters have been accompanied by a local guide. He said this year they hope to add a third local person as a "spokesperson" who can offer another perspective on the area. He said if any of the committee members were interested in that role, they should contact Williams.

Next Year's Meeting Dates

The committee approved an amended list of board meetings for 2017. The next regular meeting would normally be held on March 14. However, Slater and McMurphy had conflicts with that meeting date which falls the same week as spring break and the Oklahoma Youth Expo in Oklahoma City. The committee agreed to move the meeting a week later to March 21. Williams said the bylaws set the meeting date as the second Tuesday, so they may have to post a cancellation of the March 14 meeting and make March 21 a special meeting.

Other meeting dates in 2017 are June 13, Sept. 12 and Dec. 12. All are at noon at the Northwest Technology Center in Alva.

Announcements

Under announcements, someone inquired about progress on the truck stop east of Alva. McMurphy said Shepherd Oil of Blackwell is building the truck stop. They now have the underground tanks set in place.