Lt. Gov. Pinnell says economic development linked to tourism and workforce development

Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell said economic development is linked to tourism and workforce development.

And, his new role as secretary of workforce development will fit well with his longtime role as the state’s secretary of tourism.

Pinnell cited that vital link between tourism and economic development just before he addressed those who attended last week’s Lt. Governor’s Travel & Tourism Summit, where attendees at the Lawton event spent the afternoon hearing discussion on marketing and branding through visual storytelling.

“Tourism opens the door to economic development,” he said, adding that is something he has said repeatedly over the years and something that proves itself in places all over Oklahoma, including Lawton.

Pinnell said the key is to get people to Lawton and its surrounding area, then show off what is available. And, the wealth of tourism-related activities here — the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, lakes, museums — will capture the attention of those who would come to Lawton and bring economic development opportunities with them, he said. He said the idea is convincing people to relocate here then keep them here, which also is the goals of tourism.

Pinnell said he has worked hard to maintain tourism in Southwest Oklahoma, which is why he pushed hard to rebuilt the lodge at Quartz Mountain State Park north of Altus. The lodge is located on top of the mountain overlooking Lake Lugert-Altus, and it brings people to the area. So does the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge and nearby lakes, Pinnell said, adding he thinks Lawton should further develop the Lake Lawtonka area (something the City of Lawton already has plans to do).

Pinnell said the state’s role in tourism should be supporting those efforts, adding the State Legislature has appropriated $5 million to promote tourism in Oklahoma — essentially, $5 million to convince people to live here. While the money is well-spent, it is significantly less than what Arkansas and Texas spends to do the same thing, he said. The benefit of those state dollars is that they are invested in local communities by bringing people to town who, in turn, generate sales tax. The more money spent on tourism, the more tourist dollars are spent in communities like Lawton, he said.

Communities can help by playing to their strengths, Pinnell said. For Southwest Oklahoma, that can be things such as outdoor recreation opportunities and the Chisholm Trail.

“Tourists want to see the real America,” he said, adding the Lawton area can provide that by focusing on its unique characteristics.

Pinnell said his new role as secretary of workforce development is another way he can direct state dollars to local communities.

He said his goal is bringing more people into the workforce, something especially important in a community like Lawton where the nearby Fort Sill has veterans ready to leave active duty service and enter the civilian workforce. Support there could be programs such as veteran re-integration programs, providing military personnel the skills they need to work in new jobs.

“We want Oklahoma to be the place they retire to,” Pinnell said.

Pinnell said Oklahoma must generate more workers while offering incentives to keep the workers it has. That could mean focusing on things workers may need, such as affordable child care. Pinnell calls it breaking down barriers that keep people out of the workforce. He said the state’s career technology system will continue to play a vital role, citing the system’s ability to provide the training to fill crucial gaps in job skills.

“I’m a huge supporter,” he said, of the career tech system.