3 important E’s: Edmond, education and the economy

Phil G. Busey

Oklahoma’s economy is holding on. So far we are avoiding substantial negative economic impacts felt on the coasts. February national job losses were more than 651,000. Our unemployment crept slightly below 5 percent while forecasts put the nation’s future unemployment close to double digits.

Let’s turn economic stability into profitability. The stimulus is a huge factor when we were expecting a 15 percent state budget shortfall. Spent wisely we can minimize next year’s probable shortfall. We can work toward our future. Legislative debate needs to focus on economic incentives. We can focus on education.

As far as location, Edmond is in a strong position for future jobs and enterprise. Beyond a bedroom community to Oklahoma City, the tools are present to create a self-sustaining economic engine home to more than 83,000 and astride several major transportation corridors.

Rail will be a component of any economic expansion nationally. Adjacent to Oklahoma City a light rail transportation system for commuters could be developed from Edmond, through Oklahoma City to Norman with east and west access to Tinker and Yukon. This brings Edmond into play for neighborhood and residential growth.

The stimulus has funding for rail and transportation development. Seize this opportunity. Gasoline prices again will affect commuting costs. Edmond boasts a low crime rate, stable housing market and good quality of life offering existing and future workers a great place to raise families.

Most important to Edmond’s economic future is premiere public education and the advantage of two embedded universities. Economic development depends on education K-12 through college. Companies need trained and skilled workers now and when the economy returns. We can provide them in Oklahoma. Our most valuable resource is in our classrooms. Outstanding academic facilities, results for merit scholars and top graduates make Edmond a fertile ground for career development.

Companies fight aging workforce issues. Edmond and Oklahoma need to be about recruiting businesses during this national downturn. We can create an industry built upon training. With universities and a recognized CareerTech system we can offer industries training options they cannot receive in other areas. By offering basic and advanced training this creates an incentive for businesses to consider re-location or expansion.

Economic development is competitive and begins at local levels. Every resource we have is an advantage to be offered. Incentives like Quality Jobs or Oklahoma 100, a bill moving through the Legislature to provide federal contracting companies incentives for job creation. All universities, businesses and research facilities are eligible to participate. Edmond could benefit.

Facilitation between schools and business is key. The city or state that can link K-12, CareerTech and universities can develop the platform for a viable human resource pipeline for any company. Despite all the important factors to economic attraction a key decider will be educational systems with innovative tailored solutions. Edmond could be a model.

Years ago Edmond embarked on an aggressive plan to develop a technology corridor. In the meeting that year with the chairman of Allied Signal the focus was future employment needs and where to develop the next generations of skilled workers. Someone suggested Edmond and the corridor. The chairman said he liked Edmond. His question was, “what kind of schools are there to support employee development”? He could locate in Edmond, but if he had to recruit in Texas it was a problem. Asked what he needed he said, “a human resource pipeline beginning with technology as early as elementary school.”

There it was and the focus remains education, business relationships and curriculums forming a partnership. The challenge is facilitation and looking at education differently and its relationship to business. Forgotten is a basic requirement to prepare the next generation worker. Let’s build the bridges between our community, schools and businesses offering companies something difficult to find elsewhere. Edmond leadership can build this bond.

In a global marketplace “business as usual” education won’t work. Innovative action and reforms implementing new ways of bringing students, teachers, schools and business together are needed. Why not in Edmond?

Children need input early about educational choices and career awareness. Bringing business and education together in cooperation can reap substantial dividends for our children and our economy. Developing career awareness centers in shopping malls for all children, teachers and classes can offer career resources, interaction and information provided by area companies and universities.

Without homegrown workers companies have no choice but to look elsewhere. Students opt for general degrees instead of specialized degrees. Aerospace and energy have huge investments in Oklahoma. Let’s be the first community to offer industries a new and progressive solution. Educational options mean future opportunities for business expansion.

Companies are demanding “human resource” pipelines. In this economy we can lead by making education a priority for growth together.

PHIL G. BUSEY is chairman and CEO of The Busey Group of Companies and is an Edmond resident.