The Enid News and Eagle, Enid, OK

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July 4, 2009

Development alliance outlines aspirations for Enid in coming year

By Joe Malan, Staff Writer

Cashing in on the growing demand for wind energy is one of the county development alliance’s key goals for the upcoming year.

“I think wind energy is one of our niches that we can sure fill as far as adding jobs to Enid,” Brent Kisling said.

Kisling, executive director for Enid/Garfield County Development Alliance, said he hopes the county can use both its work force and transportation assets productively in the coming year.

Those and more of the development alliance’s aspirations for the coming year were outlined in Thursday’s annual meeting. Another part of the organization’s economic development strategy involves bringing new retail and other commercial opportunities to Enid.

Kisling, though, said 60 days into his tenure as executive director he’s already received calls from more than half a dozen companies interested in moving to Enid.

“On my desk right now are seven files for companies that are outside of our community that are looking to locate here,” he said. “Those are seven businesses I feel like we’ve got a good shot at.”

Kisling added the development alliance is working with 10 businesses in town that are in the process of expanding, which would result in the creation of new jobs.

Another part of the development alliance’s strategy for the upcoming year is identifying the city’s assets, which could be organized into one promotional package.

“We want to make sure whenever Enid talks to a prospect ... that we’re telling the same story to everyone outside the city limits of Enid,” Kisling said.

Specific areas to be marketed include both the Garfield County Industrial Park and Cimarron Industrial Park, which is at Enid Woodring Regional Airport. Kisling said he hopes to bring new businesses to each.

After assets within the county are identified, Kisling then wants the development alliance to put together a series of attractive-looking marketing materials that will identify them. Also, the organization is looking into putting together a photographic book of Enid.

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