MuskogeePhoenix.com, Muskogee, OK

Editorials

Discussion

August 27, 2010

Development needs funds for success

— Muskogee Development is woefully underfunded when compared to other such economic development organizations across the state.

If our economic future depends on Muskogee Development’s success, we must do something to correct this imbalance.

Muskogee Development has been relying on membership fees and savings to support its $200,000 annual budget, one of the lowest in the state.

Development Board Chairman Joes Cousins said City Manager Greg Buckley had asked MD to come up with a five-year plan of action to present to the council.

Cousins says the board has a limited time to operate and come up with the five-year plan.

Cousins looked around the state and found two glaring examples that indicate Muskogee Development is underfunded.

The Ardmore Development Authority has a $19.9 million annual budget. Its main funding sources are special projects, land sales and leases. Ardmore has 35,000 people. Muskogee has 40,000.

Durant, which has a population of 15,050, has a $3.6 million budget for its Durant Industrial Authority and Durant Economic Development Department. It is funded by a half-cent dedicated city sales tax.

Remember that Muskogee voters turned down a .25 percent sales tax that would have raised about $1.2 million per year to support a trust fund to help recruit industries.

Before voters will approve any new sales tax, Muskogee Development must do a better job selling itself.

Muskogee Development must convince voters how important it is to our economic future.

However, based only on the numbers Cousins provided the board, it is obvious the imbalance between competing cities is large.

The numbers show little doubt that we must correct that imbalance.

Text Only
Editorials