In the summer of 2003, Governor Brad Henry initiated the Economic Development Generating Excellence (EDGE) project. EDGE was designed to involve many Oklahomans with their ideas and to recommend a few targeted actions that would substantially strengthen our economy and quality of life.
Oklahoma's EDGE built on current and previous work undertaken by state leaders to energize economic development efforts at the local, regional and statewide levels. The project was guided by a governor-appointed Steering Committee and 23 teams of statewide experts from both the public and private sectors, all of whom provided leadership and strategic recommendations for directing Oklahoma's economic future.
Regional public forums were held on November 4, 2003, at 29 locations across the state. Nearly 2,400 business, education and community leaders met to share their reactions to the initial proposals. In addition, more than 12,200 visitor sessions have been recorded at www.okedge.org, where individuals have participated in online discussions or submitted comments via e-mail. Throughout the EDGE project, about 15,000 Oklahomans have participated in the process that has led to these recommendations.
Throughout the state's history, Oklahomans have demonstrated a bold spirit, a generosity in helping each other and a quiet pride in its accomplishments. The three major EDGE recommendations follow in that Oklahoma tradition. Creating the “Research Capital of the Plains” and having the courage to dramatically update the state's pre-K through 20+ education system are bold ventures. Combining health care and the encouragement of healthy lifestyles represent another chapter in Oklahoman's tradition of looking after each other.
As powerful as these three recommendations are, they will not transform Oklahoma's economy alone. Thus, EDGE has recommended an additional number of smaller key steps Oklahoma must also take to reform and improve its business climate. These actions, taken together, will fundamentally change Oklahoma, moving us into the modern economy that is technology-driven, knowledge-based and global. In taking these actions Oklahoma will demonstrate the courage to encounter and transform a new frontier. As these three EDGE recommendations are implemented, and as the reform steps are put in place, Oklahoma will take newly found pride in its bold spirit, in its willingness to break new ground and in the comfort of sharing with one another the bounty of a great state.