International Times & Tribune - January 9, 2014
Oklahoma's Competitive "EDGE" the Envy of the World
OKLAHOMA CITY – As thousands of the world's leading health science researchers, executives and venture capitalists crowded into the exhibition halls of Oklahoma's seventh annual international Life Technology Conference – known as LifeTekCon VII – they were visibly awed. But few were aware of the remarkable set of circumstances that led to the repeated success of this world-class conference, which has become a symbol of the transformation Oklahoma has undergone in the past decade.
The sweeping changes to Oklahoma's economic landscape can be traced to an action-planning project begun by former Governor Brad Henry in 2003 called EDGE (Economic Development Generating Excellence). An unprecedented level of public involvement included more than 2,500 Oklahomans from all walks of life and produced a report that featured recommendations that have since revolutionized the state.
Aggressive public and private investment has established Oklahoma as the “Research Capital of the Plains,” the effects of which are being felt throughout the state and far beyond. Its robust economy, cutting-edge science and technology, and superior academic institutions keep Oklahoma's best resource – its people – in the state and attract the best and the brightest from outside Oklahoma as well.
Just 10 years ago, Oklahomans learned that the life expectancy of the state's population had begun to fall. As a result of EDGE, an increase in the tobacco tax and an aggressive education campaign helped curb the high rate of smoking, and tobacco tax revenue was used to provide many working families with health insurance for the first time.
The EDGE project also raised the standard of living and quality of life for all Oklahomans and brought meaningful reforms in tax laws and business regulations that allowed new companies to be envisioned, funded, developed and staffed within the state's borders.
As shuttles take conventioneers to see successful business incubators hours away from the urban areas, one thing is clear: Oklahoma has found its competitive EDGE.