With a new executive director hired, the Woods County Economic Development Committee (WCEDC) discussed formulating new goals and objectives. The quarterly meeting was held Wednesday, June 10, at Northwest Technology Center in Alva.

Chairman Allan Poe called the meeting to order. Other members present were Jeremy Eaton, Kay Decker, Bo Hannaford, Randy McMurphy and Matt Tucker. Susan Bradford was absent. Committee member approved minutes of the March 10 regular meeting as well as four special meetings held in April and May. After going over the financial report, it was noted that the new fiscal year for the WCEDC starts Sept. 1. The WCEDC depends on pledges for donations for much of their budget. Hannaford asked Executive Director Neal Williams when he will be working on that. Williams said he has already started the process.

Northwest Technology Superintendent Daren Slater was present to answer any questions regarding the contract between WCEDC and the tech center. The WCEDC office is housed at Northwest Tech and payroll is handled through the tech center. Slater aid the WCEDC pays Northwest Tech a flat rate each month.

An executive session was held to discuss matters pertaining to economic development with no action taken on any matters discussed after the committee members returned to open session.

Poe said he wanted to discuss how the committee comes up with goals and objectives for the year. Decker said a list was formulated when the committee was established and then updated as needed. She believes the last update was about 2009. “We’re supposed to know what’s going in in the communities we represent,” she said.

Decker suggested each committee member talk to leaders in the communities they represent about what’s important and then come back with their top three goals and objectives.

McMurphy said he believes the committee needs to be more focused on current businesses already operating in the county as well as getting access to broadband and technology.

Poe mentioned developing oil and gas use of the Avard Rail Park.

Decker said she’d also like to clarify the involvement of the WCEDC with the planned Alva Arena. Slater, who is a trustee with the arena authority, said the arena is expected to have a big economic impact on the entire county. Former WCEDC director Sonja Williams as now been added to the arena authority as assistant treasurer.

Eventually, committee members agreed each of them should talk to others in the community and come back with a list of goals and objectives. They plan to meet in about two weeks to finalize that list. Meanwhile the agenda item was tabled.

The terms of two committee members were expiring. Generally, when a committee member leaves they suggest a replacement. Committee members can serve three consecutive terms before being replaced. Poe said he’s not sure how much longer he’ll be living in the county but he’d like to continue on the WCEDC until that time. McMurphy also said he’d like to continue. The reappointments of Poe and McMurphy were approved.