A new group wants to amplify rural Oklahoma’s voice to state and federal lawmakers.
Oklahoma Rural Association President Monica Miller said with the focus seemingly on the state's urban areas, there are fewer opportunities and lower quality of life outside of them.
"You know, it gets as basic as, I say, when you drive down Main Street and you just see what used to be thriving and vibrant communities with boarded-up buildings where there’s no longer activity," Miller said.
A big part of ORA's mission will be advocating for policies that help bring jobs to rural areas, and not just in farming or oil and gas production.
"We want to have a paradigm shift of, you know, rural Oklahoma, yes, is agribusiness, there is energy, but what are the other opportunities? How can we look at diversifying economies across our state," Miller said.
ORA includes renewable energy, manufacturing, financial services, equipment and utilities among its target industries.
Miller said other rural concerns include slides in health care access and education quality.
"There are groups that are doing a good job and are talking about these issues, and there are clearly lawmakers who are taking interest. But there needs to be a collective voice that’s talking about rural Oklahoma," Miller said.
Meetings this fall will determine ORA’s legislative agenda. Companies doing business in rural Oklahoma, local governments and utilities, and landowners are welcome to join.
