Oklahoma Panhandle State University

PROJECT PURPOSE

In 2019, Oklahoma Panhandle State University received a United States Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance Programs grant of $1,558,000 to design and build a 7,000 square foot welding education facility in Guymon, Oklahoma to meet the dire demand of Oklahoma industries to provide technical and higher education in skilled positions. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and resultant economic issues, construction costs to complete the facility have exceeded the amount available through the grant. The proposed facility will allow regional training in welding, welding management, and eventually other technical programs through Oklahoma Panhandle State University, High Plains Technology Center, and Guymon High School. This partnership will allow students from high school, CareerTech, and higher education to seamlessly enter into the regional workforce, meet desperate industry demand and provide opportunities for Oklahoma residents to reskill or earn credentials to advance in the regional economy. Oklahoma Panhandle State University is seeking American Rescue Plan Act funding of $2,270,000 to complement $1,947,504 in matching funds to complete this project to continue to address the need to build a robust and skilled workforce for Oklahoma that existed prior to, and exacerbated by, the Covid-19 pandemic.

EVIDENCE

This project addresses the top goal identified in the most recent Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy from the Oklahoma Economic Development Authority, "Northwest Oklahoma Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy 2015-2019" which is "Linking Economic Development with Workforce Training." The region's major employment sectors; manufacturing, farming, ranching, meat processing, and other agricultural processing, rely heavily on skilled and unskilled workers. With even unskilled workers in high demand, skilled workers are a high priority for major industries in the area. The need to develop and train a local workforce tied to the community is the only viable path forward to increasing post-pandemic economic recovery.

POPULATION DESCRIPTION

The Oklahoma panhandle's largest economic and pandemic recovery issue is less about unemployment, and more about the lack of skilled workers to fill critically needed positions. While this trend is true across many labor markets and industries in the United States, it is particularly pronounced in the Oklahoma panhandle due to the fact that manufacturing, farming, ranching, meat processing, and other agricultural processing dominate the local economy. All of these industries are experiencing strong growth in the Panhandle region and are in desperate need of skilled welders and other metal and industrial technology professionals. The lack of access to technical educational opportunities in the region has led to a lack of qualified skilled workers, particularly in welding. This lack of a skilled workforce stagnates opportunities for economic recovery and slows investment in the community. The proposed project will provide the path forward to meeting this demand to facilitate sustained economic growth among the leading industries in this region.

PERFORMANCE MEASURING

As part of grant award requirements, OPSU is required to submit quarterly performance reports and semiannual financial reports to the Economic Development Administration. in compliance with the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) of 1993, and the Government Performance and Results Modernization Act of 2010. Awards for construction assistance require Recipients to report actual job creation/retention and private investment leverage three (3), six (6), and nine (9) years after an EDA investment. Recipients are to retain sufficient documentation so that they can submit these required reports. Additionally, all grant programs are extensively audited by a third-party auditor each year.

ONGOING INVESTMENT AMOUNT

$

ONGOING INVESTMENT DESCRIPTION

None

ONGOING INVESTMENT REQUIRED

Able to continue operation without additional funding from the State of Oklahoma