Tulsa Authority for Economic Opportunity to Hold First Regular Board Meeting April 22

4/21/2021

(Tulsa, OK) – The Tulsa Authority for Economic Opportunity (TAEO) will hold its first board meeting on Thursday at 9 a.m.

Over the past 18 months, the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development (MOED) has partnered with consulting firm HR&A Advisors to determine how to best structure Tulsa’s economic development efforts moving forward.

In February, the City announced plans to merge the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development with the Tulsa Industrial Authority (TIA), Tulsa Parking Authority (TPA) and the Economic Development Commission (EDC). When fully executed in the coming months, the Authority will provide staffing for the Tulsa Development Authority (TDA), and an expanded Board will allow TDA Trustees to serve coterminous on the new Authority.

“World-class cities have the ability to develop, invest in, and implement comprehensive community and economic development strategies,” Mayor G.T. Bynum said. “For too long, Tulsa has been limited by our siloed approach that spread resources thin, created inefficiencies, and limited execution of a collective vision to reduce and eliminate economic disparities. I am thankful for the leadership and vision of the Board members on the Authorities, Boards, and Commissions that came together to form TAEO, and look forward to working with the new, merged board.”

Discussion items in Thursday’s meeting include a range of topics, one being the recognition of Katie Plohocky and Craig Abrahamson as outgoing chairs from TIA and TPA. On Thursday, TAEO will also vote to elect a vice-chair, secretary and treasurer; discuss and take action on the hiring of an Executive Director; and consider a Resolution accepting the transfer of assets from TPA.

“As the outgoing Chair of TIA, I am eager to have the opportunity to reshape Tulsa’s community and economic development landscape,” Plohocky said. “Through my professional work, I have developed a deep commitment to increasing economic opportunity in Tulsa, and a recognition that we must address the underlying economic disparities that manifest themselves through food insecurity. I look forward to serving with the Trustees of TAEO as we work to align our budget and strategy around increasing shared prosperity and racial equity.”

Thursday’s agenda, with details on how to tune in, can be found online.