For Immediate
Release: June 15, 2004
Senator Jay Paul Gumm
Rural Economic Development Program Becomes Law
A measure to boost the economy in rural Oklahoma
recently became law with the governor’s signature.
The Rural Action Partnership Program (RAPP) was the result
of a lengthy legislative study into ways to improve the
economy in small-town Oklahoma.
Senator Jay
Paul Gumm, Senate author of the bill, said the Rural
Action Partnership Program gives the Department of Commerce
more tools to focus efforts in rural areas of the state.
The House sponsor was Rep. Dale
Turner, D-Holdenville.
“Small-town Oklahoma is poised for tremendous economic
growth,” said Gumm, a Democrat from Durant. “Our
focus with the Rural Action Partnership Program is to provide
assistance to communities that have the will to boost their
economies, but which might not have the resources to commit
to that effort.
“The Commerce Department will have more tools to even
better focus its programs on Oklahoma’s smaller communities.”
The new law will base four regional economic development
coordinators in the four quadrants of rural Oklahoma. These
individuals will assist small communities, providing “hands-on”
economic development services to communities that might
not have the resources to provide for themselves.
The program directs the creation of a database to detail
specific resources available in rural Oklahoma. Information
from the database will help communities promote business
and industrial growth by matching industry needs with community
assets.
Gumm, former director of a local chamber of commerce, said
the new law directs that a comprehensive survey of natural
resources be developed. The goal, he said, is to help match
industrial needs with rural Oklahoma’s many natural
advantages.
Another important feature of the bill is clear direction
to the Department of Commerce to sponsor rural development
conferences and summits. Such events have been successful
in drawing the attention of business and industry site locators
to rural Oklahoma, the lawmaker related.
“We just completed the fifth annual Oklahoma Southeast
rural development summit, which brought more than two dozen
site locators to my district, giving leaders from 15 communities
a chance visit with the individuals who decide where business
goes,” Gumm said. “This event can serve as a
model for economic growth in every part of rural Oklahoma.”
Enactment of the law was the culmination of months of planning
by many rural policymakers. Gumm and Representative Turner
carried the legislation in 2003 that created the task force
that developed the Rural Action Partnership Program.
The lawmaker concluded by saying that strengthening rural
Oklahoma will boost the entire state’s economy.
“Quality jobs are the key to the future of small towns
across our state,” he said. “Rural communities
have been an extremely important part of Oklahoma’s
past; with innovative programs like the Rural Action Partnership
Program, we give small towns the ability to be a vital part
of Oklahoma’s future. Doing that will preserve our
heritage and our strength for generations yet unborn.”
For
more information contact:
Senate Communications Office -
(405) 521-5774
