Alva Review-Courier -

The Woods County Economic Development Committee (WCEDC) hired a website designer, set a date for the donor appreciation event, and voted a stipend for the executive director Tuesday, March 28. The special meeting was moved to the seminar room at Northwest Technology in Alva since the regular meeting room was being used for another event.

Four members of the seven-member committee were present: Jeremy Eaton, Susan Bradford, Cale Leeper and Randy McMurphy. Absent were Bo Hannaford, Jack Staats and Kay Decker.

Before the meeting began, Executive Director Jeremy Zeller introduced his new intern, Carmae Jones who is a student at Northwestern Oklahoma State University. She has been interning two days a week since February. He said they have been compiling a list of resources to be added to the website.

Website Designer

After financial reports were approved, Zeller gave a status report on goals, objectives and staff activities. Committee members were provided with two written proposals from website designers being considered. Zeller said both were willing to prorate their annual fee to end with the current fiscal year of WCEDC through August.

Zeller said OC Digital Strategies LLC of Woodward does more coding to get the website seen on the internet, also does website development and costs more. Emma Cline of Alva works more in content.

Zeller said he’d like the website to be a resource for economic development data. He’d like to have a page for community in the county mainly showing the quality of life in the area and another for Avard Rail Park. Eaton asked about having Avard Rail help pay for the web designer, but Zeller said that’s probably premature.

They discussed getting some financial help from county towns, but McMurphy said most of them already contribute to WCEDC. Bradford asked about getting Chambers of Commerce involved, and Zeller said there would be links on the website to connect with them.

Bradford asked if WCEDC is still paying the original website developers. Zeller said yes, but it is minimal for the “shell” of the website and the domain. He said in addition to woodscountyok.com, they also pay for woodscountyok.org to protect the name.

Asked for his opinion of the two web designers, Zeller said if WCEDC wants to test adding more content and articles, Cline would be the choice. But if they want to work on getting the name out and look more toward the future, it would be OC Digital. He was a little concerned about how much time OC could devote to the project as they have been taking on a lot of clients. He said contracting through August would give WCEDC a chance to see how much they get for the money.

Leeper made a motion, seconded by McMurphy to authorize Zeller to negotiate a prorated contract with OC Digital, and the motion carried unanimously.

Turkey Hunt

The Lt. Governor’s Turkey Hunt is set for April 19-21 in Alva. Zeller spoke about some events scheduled in conjunction with the turkey hunt.

On April 19, a business workshop is planned from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at Northwest Technology to kick off the hunt. The workshop will focus on opportunities for expanding businesses. Zeller said Troy Humphrey of Landrun will be one of the speakers, and he will talk about what certain businesses look for to move to a community. Another speaker will be Kari Roberts of Cherokee, a former bank president who works as a business consultant. She will have more of a mom and pop business focus, especially working with business plans.

April 20 is the main turkey hunt day with the Lt. Governor attending for the dinner. Zeller said the guest list has been limited due to a shortage of turkeys and places to hunt. With the dry conditions from lack of rain, many landowners don’t want people firing guns on their property.

Friday morning, April 21, is the Alva Chamber of Commerce Coffee with Eggs and Issues by the legislators with turkey hunts guests invited.

Donor Appreciation

Zeller said he already has a speaker lined up for the Donor Appreciation Dinner or Mixer, whichever the committee decides to host. Now he needed a decision on the date. He said Kenneth Corn, recently appointed as director of the USDA in Oklahoma, will speak.

Following some discussion about possible conflicts with other events, the committee voted to set the date for Tuesday, Oct. 24.

Director Evaluation

After a brief 15 minute executive session to evaluate Zeller’s performance as WCEDC director, the committee returned to an open meeting.

McMurphy made a motion to increase Zeller’s pay by $10,000 as of June 1. Bradford said it was supposed to be a stipend, not a salary increase. The motion was amended to state the $10,000 is a stipend, and it was approved unanimously.