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Economic Development
Ed Cole Vice President Economic Development
Mission
To create new quality jobs and ensure the continued organized economic growth and expansion of the Lawton Fort Sill Metropolitan Area.
Economic Development Team
Purpose
To generate new quality jobs for our citizens by successfully cultivating economic development opportunities.
Activities
Existing Business and Industry Task Force
Purpose
To enhance the creation of jobs through the expansion of existing businesses by understanding and assisting in the removal of impediments to growth.
Activities
- Establish a labor attraction task force to develop a program that evaluates the regions labor availability and needs and develops a plan for the attraction of additional labor resources.
- Develop and implement an existing business industry visitation program that includes a minimum of one visit per month to existing businesses.
- Identify resources and create a referral system to assist companies and individuals with business challenges.
- Promote the seminar series jointly sponsored by the Great Plains Technology Center and the Chamber.
- Develop partnerships with utility companies and other employers to support and expand the economic development efforts.
Downtown Redevelopment Task Force
Purpose
To work with the Lawton Economic Development Authority, the Lawton Urban Renewal Authority, the City of Lawton and other stakeholders in the implementation of downtown redevelopment plans.
Activities
- Work with designated entities and other interested stakeholders and individuals to enhance and encourage downtown development and redevelopment.
- Continue to implement a redevelopment strategy for the downtown area that results in new investment and the enrichment of current facilities.
- Identify and facilitate proposals or policies that would provide for the effective redevelopment and revitalization of the downtown region.
Enhanced Air Service
Purpose
To enhance air service at the Lawton Fort Sill Regional Airport by recruiting a carrier that provides jet service to a second hub.
Activities
- Continue efforts to obtain Regional Jet service to a second hub from the Lawton Fort Sill Regional Airport through the targeting of specific airlines.
- Develop and present dynamic proposals to targeted airlines.
- Manage the startup marketing campaign for new jet service as proposed in the Small Community Air Service Development Program grant.
Tourism
Mission
To enhance the tourism potential of the Lawton Fort Sill Metropolitan Area thereby enhancing the number of tourism related jobs and economic impact.
Tourism & Arts Development Committee
Purpose
To enhance convention and tourism activity in the Lawton Fort Sill Metro Area.
Activities
- Continue a marketing and advertising strategy that increases tourism opportunity awareness both internally and externally.
- Provide support for events, attractions and activities that meet established criteria for the expenditure of hotel/motel tax revenue.
- Recruit regional, state and national events and activities to the community.
- Conduct a feasibility analysis for a hotel/convention center as part of the revitalization of the downtown area.
- Publicize the importance of the hotel/motel tax to our community's growth and how the dollars generated by this tax are expended.
- Increase the number of hotel/motel room nights associated with events recruited or funded by hotel/motel tax revenue.
- Market events and activities through the Chamber's website and make enhancements to the site that improves the user's experience, including the development of a community calendar.
Sports Promotion Committee
Purpose
To recruit and assist sporting events that creates a positive economic impact for the Lawton Fort Sill Metropolitan Area.
Activities
- Recruit sporting events and provide necessary support to events already scheduled to occur in FY 2008.
- Assist sporting event promoters with marketing efforts that will enhance attendance and participation.
Agriculture Committee
Purpose
To increase the economic impact of the agriculture community on the Lawton Fort Sill Metropolitan Area through the support of events and education and oversight, thus heightening the involvement of agri-business in the Chamber.
Activities
- Coordinate the Wichita Mountains Classic Steer and Heifer Show, the Wichita Mountains Pig, Lamb and Goat Show and other livestock events that create a positive economic impact and promote careers in agriculture.
- Evaluate and recommend to the Board an AgriTourism program for the Lawton-Ft. Sill region.
- Inform and work with the Legislative Policy and Oversight Committee on issues that impact the agriculture industry.
- Support tourism recruitment through the development of livestock and other agriculture related events.
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Investor Services
Esther Harrison Membership Director
Mission
To enhance investment and participation in Chamber programs by developing strategies that add value to our members and that communicate investor benefits and activities.
Membership Committee
Purpose
To recruit and retain members.
Activities
- Add a minimum of one new member service for our membership.
- Grow our membership to a minimum of 950 by the end of Fiscal Year 2008 and to 1250 by the end of Fiscal Year 2010.
- Increase the retention rate for members by 2 percent over the previous year.
- Establish a tracking system for member referrals.
- Develop and implement an image awareness campaign for the Chamber.
- Plan and conduct a membership campaign if necessary to meet goal.
- Develop and implement a plan that ensures contact with all Chamber members throughout the year.
- Conduct a minimum of two new member orientations.
- Institute a program with Board members that will encourage new Chamber members to attend networking and other events sponsored by the Chamber.
Redcoat Ambassadors
Purpose
To serve as the official goodwill ambassadors for the Lawton Fort Sill Chamber by participating in events and celebrations that enhance the visibility of the Chamber and positive community events.
Activities
- Promote Lawton businesses and support Chamber functions by attending ribbon cuttings, grand openings, and other events and activities as requested.
- Assist the Chamber in welcoming dignitaries, visitors and others in conjunction with the Chamber Board and other Chamber committees.
- Be active participants in the plan that ensures contact with all Chamber members throughout the year.
Small Business Committee
Purpose
To enhance opportunities for small businesses to be successful and to be recognized
for the impact they have upon our local economy.
Activities
- Continue federation program partnership with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
- Develop appropriate programs throughout the year that would enhance the success of small business members.
- Hold a small business awards event that recognizes small businesses in categories determined appropriate by the committee.
- Assist members in preparation of applications for the State Small Business Award program.
Government & Military Affairs
Stephanie Johnson Director
Mission
To promote the interests of the Lawton Fort Sill Metropolitan Area's business community by providing input, access, and oversight in legislative matters at all levels of government and by serving as a liaison with the military to sustain a strong and positive relationship.
Legislative Affairs Committee
Purpose
To develop a legislative strategy that outlines the issues and positions of the Chamber
relative to matters that impact its investors and communicate these positions to elected officials.
Activities
- Conduct a survey of investors to identify and gain input on legislative issues that impact the Lawton Fort Sill area and increase participation in the survey by 10 percent over the previous year.
- Prepare a legislative policy statement that identifies the issues of importance to the Lawton Fort Sill area.
- Plan and conduct a minimum of six forums that provide our investors' access to elected officials.
- Monitor and analyze legislation, regulations and policies at the local, state and federal levels and be prepared to issue action calls when deemed necessary.
- Develop a legislative tracking matrix that is updated regularly throughout the legislative session.
- Plan and conduct a State Legislative Reception for legislators and government officials.
- Plan and conduct the annual Washington D.C. trip and congressional reception.
Lawton Fort Sill Co-op
Purpose
To promote unity and understanding between the business community of the Lawton Fort Sill Metropolitan Area and the soldiers of Fort Sill in order to strengthen the positive relationship that exists between the city and the post.
Activities
- Plan and conduct various Co-op activities and events throughout the year that fortifies the bond between Co-op partners.
- Plan and conduct, in conjunction with the Membership Committee, a Co-op membership campaign that increases Co-op participation by Chamber investors.
Military Affairs Committee
Purpose
To promote unity and understanding between the business community of the Lawton Fort Sill Metropolitan Area and Fort Sill through the sponsorship of social and other military oriented events.
Activities
- Plan and conduct military affairs social functions with a goal of 50 percent attendance by committee members at these events.
- Chamber Chair and President meet quarterly with the Fort Sill senior leadership team to discuss the needs of Fort Sill and to coordinate efforts that support the installation and the community.
- Provide recognition to the NCO and Soldier of the Quarter and Year, the Drill Sergeant of the Year, and Sgt. Audie Murphy Inductees.
- Provide recognition to the ROTC Cadet of the Year at Cameron University.
- Coordinate BRAC transition initiatives with governmental entities as appropriate.
- Assist in the development of a strategy that protects the missions assigned to Fort Sill under the recommendations of the Secretary of Defense and to provide appropriate assistance and resources to smooth the transition.
- Make a minimum of two mission trips to Fort Bliss/El Paso to assist in the smooth transition of the Air Defense Artillery School to Fort Sill and to recruit appropriate defense contractors to support the School's mission.
- Work with Fort Sill to fully integrate new missions and support the identification of private sector businesses to support the new missions.
- Work with Fort Sill to enhance and expand the JFETS mission.
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