Innovation District moving forward

It’s been six months since the Brookings Institution presented its Oklahoma City Innovation District report to a room packed with a diverse group of people; city and business leaders, employers and researchers, all invested in developing an Innovation District in Oklahoma City.

The report was the result of an 18-month study conducted by Brookings and Project for Public Spaces on how Oklahoma City can be more attractive for entrepreneurs and startup companies. Since then, the partner institutions have made foundational strides toward making the vision outlined in the Brookings study a reality.

The Oklahoma Health Center Foundation is overseeing the staffing and administration for the district. They have been working with partners and stakeholders to determine the budget and funding. This includes a national search for an executive director, which is underway. This step is fundamental to the development of the district since many of the actions listed in the report are designed to occur after the hiring of an executive director.

One of the Brookings recommendations was to build on Oklahoma City’s long-standing industry strengths in energy, aerospace and health to foster a convergence economy. Through shared knowledge and collaboration, Oklahoma City can advance innovation and attract new business in these industries.

Read the full article at The Journal Record