Woodward in the national spotlight
Recently Woodward has been recognized by major media and Capitol Hill as an example of a community that is making bold steps toward economic and environmental innovation.
On National Public Radio's daily Morning Addition program, Judy Woodruff traveled to Woodward to report on one young man who choose a future in wind energy over his previous trade - oil and gas. The report's subject, Quentin Johnson, is studying wind training at the High Plains Technology Center.
Johnson was one of the first students to enroll in the new training program in Woodward, Okla.
But when most people think about energy in Oklahoma, they think of the fuel that comes from the ground. Oil and natural gas helped build this state, and there are oil derricks all around Woodward. There's even one at Johnson's school; in fact, he uses it to practice climbing, because you need to climb 300 feet high to fix a wind turbine.
Listen to the entire NPR report
On May 21st, Woodward Industrial Foundation President Lavern Phillips testified in Washington D.C. in front of the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment & Public Works. The topic hearing titled “Oversight of the Economic Development Administration" was led by Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and James Inhofe (R-OK).
Read full transcripts of Phillips' opening statement (pdf)
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Watch: new videos on Oklahoma's wind energy
Via okhorizon.com:
Boone Pickens on Wind Energy: Billionaire Boone Pickens may have made his fortune in the oil patch, but believes our energy future lies with alternative energy and that’s why he wants to invest billions in wind farms.
Wind Tech Program: A recent slow-down in the energy sector has led to some job layoffs for wind turbine manufacturers, yet, industry watchers believe the construction and maintenance of these huge energy generators has nowhere to go but up. That's why High Plains Tech Center in Woodward has created a wind tech program.
Download a new brochure promoting wind energy in NW Oklahoma (PDF): 
Providence Place Celebrates One Year Anniversary
About a year ago, the Providence Place had a top-notch assisted living facility with 32 apartments and just one person enjoying it. Now, nearly one year later, the facility is nearly full with only one room available and a newly started waiting list already begun, said Providence Place Administrator Debra Treadaway. Read entire Woodward News Article.
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Northwestern-Woodward campus receives dedication
Local and state leaders gathered Wednesday to formally dedicate the new Woodward campus of Northwestern Oklahoma State University. The Woodward Industrial Foundation takes pride in the fantastic effort by all parties to make the dream of higher education a reality in Northwestern Oklahoma.
“The 12-year effort to build the campus has truly been a community and state partnership,”
- NWOSU President Dr. Janet Cunningham
Read full Woodward News article
Earlier this Summer, the city received a $1 million grant for a conference center planned as part of a Community Campus Project in conjunction with the Northwestern Oklahoma State University-Woodward campus along 34th Street in Woodward.
“These are the things we have to do to become a community that will attract young people and professional people. To have people move into our community for growth and development we’ve got to continue to build facilities like this.”
- Lavern Phillips, Woodward Industrial Foundation President
Read full Woodward News article
Classes began at the NWOSU campus in August. Visit homepage.
Economy stays strong in '09, despite National slowdown
The William S. Spears School of Business at Oklahoma State Universary has released its Economic Outlook for 2009. Here is a summary:
- Driven by high energy prices, the Woodward regional economy has outperformed nearly every area of the state since 2004. The natural gas driven surge has transformed the local economy, pushing oil and gas employment to nearly 25% of the total county workforce and incomes to near par with the national average.
- Because of the local energy boom, the region has largely ignored much of the early stages of the national recession but is now showing clear signs of a slowdown in both the energy sector and the overall economy. The sharp reversal in energy prices is acting as a drag on local activity and is currently a much bigger hurdle for Woodward than the deepening national recession. However, both forces will continue to exert a drag on the Woodward area economy in 2009.
- Signs of a slowdown. Job growth in Woodward County remains well above the state and nation and will total an estimated 3.0% (300 new jobs) for all of 2008. Hiring growth has nevertheless slowed well below the 5.2% gain in 2007 and the 10.4% gain in 2006. City retail sales growth remains strong but has slowed in lock-step with employment and income. Despite pulling back from peak growth rates, the Woodward economy still has a tremendous amount of momentum and appears well positioned to weather the current economic slowdown as long as energy prices remain near current levels.