Northeastern Oklahoma is an area rich in natural beauty and recreational opportunities; however the people of the 2nd Congressional district are some of the poorest in the country with approximately 21 percent of our residents living below the poverty threshold. We must examine alternate approaches to break this chain of poverty and claim the prosperity that is due to our people.

Whether it’s main street or county dirt road, the issues are the same throughout northeast Oklahoma. We must retain our skilled workforce and improve the employability of our workforce. The world is ever changing and our workforce must change with it; job seekers today must be able to adapt and should realize education is now life-long learning. We must continue our efforts to support local entrepreneurs, as well as attract new business and retail. To grow, cities must support new business development and business expansion. Chambers of Commerce throughout northeast Oklahoma know this lesson and focus a tremendous amount of energy in this endeavor. We must work to improve the educational opportunities and recognize educating our young people starts at birth with the family. Oklahoma has one of the best head start programs in the country but we must continue to strive for educational excellence throughout all phases of education.

Regional efforts are well underway to expand upon and enhance these three fronts and we’re not looking to Washington or Oklahoma City for a quick fix; we are reaching across borders and city limits, looking to our educational centers, and tapping into the creativity of our own people to develop long range plans ourselves.

These regional efforts began last fall in Tahlequah when Northeastern State University, Cherokee Nation, and SACC-EZ (regional development cooperative) hosted a regional summit, partnering with cities, counties, chambers, and community leaders to develop the process of regionalism in northeastern Oklahoma. More than 300 community leaders from more than seven counties gathered to discuss regional collaboration and planning. Since the summit, collaborative efforts have resulted in a regional “Work Ready” Certification application, which includes 14 rural counties in northeastern Oklahoma. This certification will provide regional employers, as well as prospective employers, with confirmation that this region has a workforce that is educated, skilled, and ready. Although the Work Ready Certification process is the largest collaborative effort, numerous other efforts to listen, collaborate, and share are taking place.

I have long held the belief that what is good for Muskogee is good for the Stilwells and the Tahlequahs of the area and vice versa. We have been told we live in a global economy, however, until recently we have worked only in our community silos and competed with our neighbors, continued high poverty numbers, however, are evidence this approach has failed. Now is the time to work together. The issues we face loom large, but when cities, chambers, educational institutions, tribal governments, and private businesses work together these issues become surmountable.

Regionalism will create synergies and help spur more business starts and profitable businesses within the region. Additionally, to seize on economic opportunities that demand critical mass, we must build a strong regional collaboration and create a strong regional support system for entrepreneurs.

Understanding and learning from our past, utilizing our work ethos and uniting our efforts will break those chains that hold us back. Every parent’s dream of a better life for their children can prevail in northeast Oklahoma. Working together, across artificial boundaries will help all us all. In the end, for an area to thrive, all of our people need to thrive.

David Moore is the executive director of Tahlequah Area Chamber of Commerce.