The future of economic development in Muskogee

If you've been watching the televised city council/public works and finance committee meetings on the city's TV channel or on the city's web site, you'll see that the council is facing a tough issue:  whether to abandon the 40+ year organization that's been in charge of recruiting industry to Muskogee, Muskogee Development.  http://muskogeedevelopment.org/   The city of Muskogee funds $175,000 of Muskogee Development’s annual budget of $252,868. The money, payable in monthly increments, comes from a sales tax that was approved and levied in 2001.  The city is expected to run out of that fund at the end of the year.  http://muskogeephoenix.com/local/x316474770/Arrested-development-Muskogee-Development-could-lose-grasp-on-economic-recruitment

Muskogee Development's problem has always been that no one outside of city officials and the board members know what that organization does nor the successess they have had.  Scott Robinson, who is the director of the Port of Muskogee and who could also be taking on Muskogee Development's mission is the longest serving Muskogee Development board member at 20 years  He's quoted in the Phoenix as saying, “Why has it taken 20 years, and we’re still in the same spot,” he said. “There is a lot of confusion on what Muskogee Development is. It’s hard for the community to grasp.”

I did note with some dismay, that during the city council's discussion of giving economic development to the Port of Muskogee, that no city councilor asked the basic question:  What will the Port of Muskogee do differently than Muskogee Development to ensure their success at this venture? 

And until that question is answered in specificity, it will remain Muskogee's economic Rubik's cube.