What is at stake?

Economic development is part of our lives, even if we may not use the term to describe what we see.  But all too often we all see it as the concern of experts, of policymakers or elected officials.  Our lives are busy, and so much of what is discussed seems hard to put into everyday terms that make sense.  To address this matter the seventh installment of the CU Public Policy Forum will first discuss the major economic trends in Southwest Oklahoma, after which Mayor Mike Brown of Weatherford will share his views with us.  He will give concrete examples of how small towns and cities in Southwest Oklahoma are grappling with the issues surrounding economic development, drawing on his experiences as mayor.    Following a break for refreshments, we will examine the general principles and values that underpin our current economic system. Then it's your turn as we conclude the conversation with an open-ended question and answer session in which presenters and the audience will exchange views.  And we are especially excited about the potential for this year's discussion as it will include members of the Weatherford and Lawton/Fort Sill metropolitan areas.

How am I involved in Economic Development?

Whether we know it or not, economic development is all around us.  When a sales tax initiative passes to fund a stadium for a local sports team, that's economic development.  If a volunteer group of which we are a part cleans up a park and more people use it, that's economic development.  If you speak to your community leaders about how things might be improved, that too is economic development.  So the question is not whether you are involved, but how you will choose to be involved.

Do I have a role in the debate?

Without question each of us has a part to play.  We might do this by becoming a more integral part of our neighborhood in some way.  We might do this by becoming more focused on ballot measures and other matters that come before us as voters.  Or we could perhaps take a more active part in one of our community's institutions such as a local school.  The key is that each of us make the connection between these everyday acts that all of us can perform and the positive impact on the community and its economy, and we hope that the resources here will assist in that.

What and where is the forum?

Public Policy Forum VII will take place on March 8, 2013 in the Center for Emerging Technologies and Entrepreneurial Studies (CETES) Conference Center on the main campus of Cameron University in Lawton (it is Building #17 on the campus map that you can reach by clicking here). The event is scheduled to begin at 9:00 a.m. and will conclude with a panel discussion at 12:00 p.m.  Refreshments will be served.

Who are the presenters and panelists?

QuesTions and Registration

For questions and registration, please contact:

Dr. Tony Wohlers, Forum Organizer
awohlers@cameron.edu
Tel: (580) 581-2496
Fax: (580) 581-2941 

or

Dr. Douglas Catterall, Speaker Coordinator
dougc@cameron.edu
Tel: (580) 581-2949
Fax: (580) 581-2941

Online Registration

Given the space available, we encourage you to register for the event in advance by clicking here

Sponsors

This program is funded in part by the Oklahoma Humanities Council (OHC) and the We People Initiative of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed during Public Policy Forum VII do not necessarily represent those of OHC or NEH. We also thank the Cameron University Lectures and Concerts Program for partial funding of the event. We thank them all for their support and encouragement of the project.