July 6, 2024 Issue, Page 3 of 5

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The Elk City NewsSATURDAY, JULY 6, 2024 * 3 CHAMBER gaged to make cities better. He added that he is recruit- around the economic de- velopment plan at a state get our core system aligned. ‘There is this report, you've got ceed if we have the workforce we need, The nine-member “We go to the legislature and we say, ‘Hey if we do Continued from page 1 ing everyone present to get level. Then we're recruiting the action items, and you're board, which is all private these things, we will move up engaged, whether it meant companies, and we go, ‘Hey, like, ‘Who are we going to sector business leaders, and the (state) rankings’ That's “Elk City is really sprawl- running for office or not. It by the way, we've got the fa- give it to?” We went back and their whole goal is to give how we know, and that’s part ing, vibrant, clean, and has could be working on agency cilities for you, and we've got started looking at what's part input, bring input, create of our accountability mecha- plenty of things to do. The boards, commissions or oth- the workforce pipeline, and of the problem. There wasn’t a table where we can have nism? Warmington conclud- quality of life that you're cre- er ways to serve the state. the university aligned with one kind of central place that conversations. How do we ed, and thanked the Rotari- ating in your community is “What can we do to get the career techs, when you you can take this information coordinate our economic de- ans for inviting him to speak. really unbelievable. I think better aligned? So that began come build your business and then help get everybody velopment workforce ecosys- Carpenter thanked Warm- you're a role model for other a journey for us in terms of here: We're going to be there coordinated. So the governor tem?” Warmington asked. ington for coming to Elk cities, and it was fantastic to developing and helping to to make sure you get all the called the Workforce Task He continued to talk about City to speak. Warmington have that perspective. I am understand what the work- talent you need to grow. That Force together to use the workforce coordination, encouraged anyone who coming here to talk to you force ecosystem is in Okla- would be a game changer study, and we had McKin- along with legislation that had suggestions or ques- a little bit about what we're homa. K-12 (schools), Career for Oklahoma,’ Warmington sey help us. The number one passed and the laws that did tions to contact him at the trying to do with the State Tech, higher ed, and private said. goal is to create to an entity not pass during the last ses- State Chamber office. He Chamber communities, they training, how do those all He then talked about the in Oklahoma that will coor- sion, Warmington pointed then took time to talk to in- want to invest in themselves, work together? What can we legislative agenda that would dinate the workforce ecosys- out several pieces of legisla- dividuals who had questions too,’ Warmington said. do as a state to get a better support this alignment. They tem,’ he said. tion that could be of con- or comments after Carpenter He went on to explain coordinated so that we have hired an international con- Warmington talked about cern for businesses, as well adjourned the meeting. what the State Chamber a clearly defined mission of sulting firm called McKinsey the Workforce Commission as those supportive of local Rotary did not meet on does. Their mission is to help where we're going to grow to look at data about how the and the key performance in- companies. He warned the July 4th, and will be look- Oklahoma be the best place and grow as an economy? system works in Oklahoma. dex to measure how the state Rotarians and their guests ing for another place to have in the country to grow, start, How can our Workforce “They (McKinsey) ended ‘was progressing toward their about watching the way leg- their next meeting, due to and raise businesses. The sec- Development Partners feed up with about 35 different goals. islators voted, as well a, the the closure of the Elks Lodge, ond part of their mission is to the talent pipeline? Imagine initiatives and things that we “There are the areas of legislation that would resur- which could be temporary. make sure that there are good what would happen if Okla- could do to help Oklahoma which we could really suc- face during the next session. men and women who are homa could get truly aligned pro-business and free enter- around a vision, and the prise elected to public office. people who are providing the “If you don't believe in talent, and then put dollars business, and you don't be- to work to achieve that goal. lieve in free enterprise, if you The return for Oklahoma are not interested in growing would be stunning” Warm- our economy, then we're not ington explained. interested in you serving an The goal for the State office. So what we do is to try Chamber is to make Okla- to engage at the community homa the most fully aligned level, working with cham- workforce system in the bers and others, to really help country. Warmington talked candidates or find candidates about what it would be like JULY 12 that are going to run. A lot to align the career tech with of times some of these seats businesses getting recruited will come open in the legis- to Oklahoma. Joining the lature, and everyones look- private sector with econom- ing around to see who's going ic development would help to do it, and you don’t always bring businesses to the state. Make yourself at home at the Grand Opening of the new get the best candidate? he “We can have a workforce said. ‘Warmington wants to help pipeline that other com- panies are looking at, and Tautfest Annex, WESTERN OKLAHOMA’S LARGEST people who show up, offer they're recruiting to come .~ MATTRESS SHOWROOM! Join us for civic engagement, and care here. They're asking us, ‘Can about their community. He we come be a part of what you said that he wants to find out do?’ We can have programs that we design at SWOSU » eaways, Subs, andoe more about how to get en- that are specifically designed Elk City Head Start in Danger of Closure Elk City Head Start and of essential services for ap- Early Head Start Birth to Five proximately 35 low-income Center is seeking a champion families and the jobs of 10 staff community individual or members. business to collaborate in the SOCAG has been provid- active education and kinder- ing early childhood services garten preparation for under- since 1965 through the Head & RIBBON privileged young children in Start Program, funded by the Elk City. Department of Health and The Elk City Birth to Five Human Services, Administra- Center, located in Fairview tion for Children and Fami- Village at 1700-1702 W. 8th lies, Office of Head Start. The and 501-503 S. Nichols Ave in Head Start Program is a fed- Elk City has been serving chil- erally funded initiative that dren under age five for over offers early childhood educa- 35 years through a collabora- tion to children from families tion with Elk City Housing at or below 100% of the fed- Authority. Before that the cen- eral poverty level. Categorical ter was located in a building eligibility includes foster chil- owned by the Elk City Kiwan- dren and families who receive is. Both of these collaborations SNAP, SSI or TANF benefits. enabled Southwest Oklahoma ‘Ten percent of the funded en- TEST OUT A NEW TEMPURPEDIC Community Action Group, rollment is reserved for chil- MATTRESS TO ENTER! Inc. (SOCAG) to provide dren with disabilities, up to quality education and care to ten percent of the enrollment about forty children each year can include families over the i through two federal grants. income limit, and up to thirty- The value of the rent provided five percent can be between the local match to the federal 101% and 135% of the federal dollars each year, Our center poverty level. The potential purchases supplies and food closure of the Elk City Center 2 DAYS ONLY from businesses in Elk City would significantly impact the Annex Mattress Sets and pays tax on each item. low-income families that rely With sporaved eredit This center helps Elk City and on these critical services. the children served grow up SOCAG is seeking a build- and become an integral part ing that would have space for of the Elk City population. three classrooms with rest- In October, the Fairview rooms, a commercial kitchen, Housing Board notified the two offices, a parent area, and Southwest Oklahoma Com- a staff break area. Outside munity Action Group, Inc. would require space for two Board of Directors that the child playgrounds and sepa- homes would need to be re- rate staff/parent parking. turned for use as affordable In some communities a rental units. Generously, they sponsor owns the build- allowed us to pay rent since ing and allows Head Start to provide services through an March 2024, with the current lease ending on August 31, in-kind arrangement or for a 2024, reduced rental fee. SOCAG is Despite extensive efforts by a 503C so donations are tax SOCAG’s Board of Directors deductible to the individual or company. and staff to find a suitable al- ternative location, none has SOCAG is seeking a collab- 102 WW Main St. been identified so far. This oration with a building owner Weatherford, OK: & situation places us in a chal- in order to continue deliver- lenging position with the real ing Head Start and Early Head L possibility of having to close the Elk City Center. The clo- sure would result in the loss Start services to children and their families for many more years. 580.772.5581