KEDDO-Kiamichi Economic Development District of Oklahoma

05/27/2026

Yesterday, KEDDO Projects Director Hannah Shaffer and Regional Transportation Planner Oliver Skimbo met with three students participating in Oklahoma State University’s Rural Scholars Program.

Through OSU’s Rural Renewal Initiative, the students are spending 10 weeks in southeastern Oklahoma conducting community-engaged research, volunteering, and learning alongside local leaders as part of a broader effort to strengthen rural communities through research, student mobilization, and community engagement.

Pictured from left:

Hannah Shaffer, Projects Director at KEDDO
Emily Ingram, Oklahoma State University Political Science major, studying human flourishing across southeastern Oklahoma
Bo Hardy, Texas Tech University student studying Agricultural Education and Leadership, with research focused on estate planning and legacy farming and ranching
Logan Seger, University of Oklahoma Physics major, researching pastors and religion in rural Oklahoma

KEDDO is grateful to welcome these rural scholars to the region and appreciates their investment of time, curiosity, and research into the people, places, and future of rural Oklahoma.

02/20/2026

02/07/2026

It was a pleasure for KEDDO to host the NADO Emerging Leader Cohorts at the KEDDO Office in Wilburton, Oklahoma this past week. Executuve Director, Kim Rose as well as KEDDO staff, Samantha Humphreys, AAA Director; Oliver Skimbo, RTPO Planner; Hannah Shaffer, Projects Director and Laura Clark, Mobility Manager discussed the history of KEDDO, the programs we offer as well as the economic drivers in our seven county region. The cohorts visited our region from Texas, New Mexico, Louisiana and Kansas.

The Emerging Leaders program provides Economic Development District (EDD) staff members with the education and skills required to lead a high-performing EDD. Cohort participants are offered a unique opportunity to learn about successful community and economic development approaches of other EDDs. The program is an opportunity to create a peer network that can add value to EDD activities long after the training program is finished.

KEDDO appreciates the West End Volunteer Fire Department, In Wilburton and the Mary Trolinger Community Center in Crowder for allowing our group to visit.

01/28/2026

The KEDDO Area Agency on Aging program is partnering with the Masonic Charities Foundation for the 19th year! This program has been a huge asset to our participants by helping with services. We cannot thank the Masonic Foundation enough for all they do!

01/25/2026

The KEDDO Office will be closed 1/26/26 due to hazardous road conditions. Please remember to check on the elderly & your neighbors. Stay Safe & Warm.

12/05/2025

As always, its was a pleasure to hold our annual appreciation dinner for the KEDDO Board of Trustees, Local Elected Officials and district Legislators. This was KEDDO's 58th year in existence and we look forward to many, many more years serving our cities, towns and counties. Thank you for all that you do in our district.

08/21/2025

Today marks the official launch of our Regional KEDDO Survey! 🎉

We’re updating the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) 2025–2030 and need input from residents, business owners, Tribal Nations, educators, students, healthcare providers, and community leaders across all seven Southeast Oklahoma counties.

The CEDS is a federally recognized planning document that sets our region’s priorities for the next five years—from infrastructure and workforce to small business support, broadband, and healthcare. It’s also what makes projects eligible for major federal funding, especially through the U.S. Economic Development Administration.

Want me to come speak to your school, organization, civic group, or council about the importance of this process? DM me or email [email protected]

Please share with your friends, families, coworkers who live in Southeast Oklahoma! Your voice matters and we want to ensure it's part of SE Oklahoma's future!

This survey is part of KEDDO’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) 2025–2030. Your input will guide priorities for jobs, businesses, healthcare, infrastructure, tourism, and community growth across Southeast Oklahoma.

11/07/2024