Chickasha hosts economic developers, business advisors for OSA/SBDC 2024 Conference

The Rock Island Depot was full last Tuesday and Wednesday as Chickasha played host to the 2024 Economic Development Conference, presented by the Oklahoma Southwest Alliance (OSA) and the Small Business Development Center (SBDC).

Nearly 70 attendees, including staff from the SBDC, economic developers, and city employees, descended on downtown for the two-day event. This was the first time OSA partnered with SBDC for its annual conference.

Featured speakers for the conference included Brent Kisling, former director of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, and Mike Conn, a business consultant and author based in Duncan. Chickasha Mayor Zach Grayson delivered a community welcome, and EDC Director Jim Cowan gave a short overview of the progress Chickasha has seen in the past three years in tourism and community development. Other topics at the conference included registered apprenticeships, online tools, artificial intelligence, and CRASE training.

The Oklahoma Southwest Alliance is a partnership of cities, CareerTech centers, workforce and government organizations, and EDOs in the region of Oklahoma south of I-40 and west of I-35. Its purpose is to educate and connect economic developers for the betterment of the entire region. The Small Business Development Center provides resources and guidance to small businesses throughout the state, ranging from technical assistance to financial advising to international trade planning.