The Legislature recognizes that rural Oklahoma must have expert assistance if the communities, organizations, and citizens of this state are to effectively compete for resources to grow, retain, and attract value-added jobs in the twenty-first century. The citizens of rural Oklahoma seek a coordinated and collaborative system that is readily accessible and responsive to the needs of cities, counties, schools, trust authorities, and other development organizations to plan, develop, and implement programs and related services that allow for growth in the economy. It is the intent of the Legislature to create the Oklahoma Center for Rural Development which shall directly assist rural constituencies to meet the challenges necessary to improve the standard of living in rural Oklahoma. The Center shall also ensure compliance with the mandate issued by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education that institutions contribute to workforce development, business-needs research, and technology transfer in their region.
Added by Laws 2002, c. 167, § 2, eff. July 1, 2002.