Strong communities make a strong state
Just as cities across the country have served as examples of innovation and policy success in recent years, smaller communities also know how to drive economic development and build a prosperous future. Census data tells us that small towns in America are just as entrepreneurial as their urban counterparts. Citizens of these communities also understand the needs of their people and have creative solutions to meet them.
Oklahomans wake up every day and work to create stronger communities and, in turn, a stronger state. There is a wealth of talent, energy and commitment to solving local challenges. There are times, however, when additional resources from outside of the community would be helpful in moving local solutions forward and bringing them to scale. Outside funding, technical assistance and other resources are making their way to the local level; but more is needed and with greater penetration statewide.
From workforce development to the creation of vibrant districts that contribute to the economy, we have much to learn from the creative problem solving taking place at the local level. Creative Oklahoma has launched the Oklahoma Creative Communities project to provide support, as well as a platform for sharing local experiences that can inform policy and investment on a broader scale. The nine communities engaged in this initiative are Altus, Durant, Enid, Guthrie, Locust Grove, Okmulgee, Pawhuska, Ponca City and Tahlequah.
Creative Oklahoma is partnering with Duane Wilson, program director at the Center for Continuous Improvement at the University of Notre Dame, and chairman of the Creative Education Foundation, along with creative leaders across Oklahoma to develop and share resources with communities. Wilson developed the CREATE framework, a researchbased, creative problemsolving tool that’s being used by facilitators and community leaders in generating ideas and building consensus on particular strategies.
Additional resources available for communities include facilitation, access to requested training and educational opportunities, peer learning, support for grantseeking and technical expertise.
Theodore Roosevelt talked about giving credit to those in the arena. Communities are not just in the arena working on behalf of their family, friends and neighbors; rather, they are rebuilding the arena to ensure what comes out of it are better ideas, more effective solutions and, ultimately, better lives. We would do well to not only recognize the work being done, but also find a way that we can contribute to it.
Support doesn’t have to be financial. We can give our time, energy and sweat equity. Citizens in our communities have great ideas and are doing great things to build a better Oklahoma, and we owe it to them to support their efforts. Ultimately, it benefits us all.
For more information on Oklahoma Creative Communities, visit www. stateofcreativity.com.