What is Grand Gateway EDA?

Grand Gateway Economic Development Association (GGEDA) is a voluntary association of county, tribal, city and town governments, rural water, sewer and conservation districts, public school districts, and other public and economic development entities within the seven-county region of Craig, Delaware, Mayes, Nowata, Ottawa, Rogers and Washington counties in Northeast Oklahoma. Included in the GGEDA service are eleven of Oklahoma’s 39 federally recognized tribes; Cherokee Nation, Delaware Tribe, Miami Tribe, Ottawa Tribe, Wyandotte Nation, Peoria Tribe, Eastern Shawnee Tribe, Modoc Tribe, Shawnee Tribe, Quapaw Tribe and the Seneca-Cayuga Tribe.

These cooperatives are commonly known as Councils of Governments (COGs), Regional Planning Commissions (RPCs), Economic Development Districts (EDDs), Sub-state Planning Districts (SSPDs).

What is the purpose of Grand Gateway EDA?

The organization serves as a platform for local governments to collaborate in identifying and resolving community issues. It serves as a forum where local governments can communicate, cooperate, and collectively address regional challenges, ensuring efficient provision of governmental services across the seven counties. Grand Gateway has the capability and has advocated on behalf of the region to both state and federal governments.

What area does Grand Gateway EDA serve?

Grand Gateway EDA encompasses the seven northeast counties of Oklahoma, comprising fifty-two cities and towns. This region, known as Green Country, is characterized by the meeting of the Ozark foothills with the rolling prairie.

Referred to as the lake region, it is home to notable bodies of water such as Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees, Lake Hudson, Spavinaw Lake, Lake Eucha, Oologah Lake, and Copan Lake, along with scenic rivers like the Illinois River and Flint Creek. Additionally, it features the Tulsa Port of Catoosa, recognized as the world’s most inland port, situated on the Kerr-McClellan Arkansas River Navigation System. The counties within the Grand Gateway area encompass Craig, Delaware, Mayes, Nowata, Rogers, Ottawa, and Washington. This region also includes important Indian reservations, such as Cherokee, Miami, Peoria, Wyandotte, Quapaw, Modoc, Eastern Shawnee, Ottawa, and Seneca-Cayuga.

Who governs Grand Gateway EDA and how are they selected?

Member governments appoint members to the Grand Gateway Board of Directors. 

Each county appoints two board members. Cities with a population greater than 4000 appoint one representative, and cities with a population exceeding 8,000 appoint two members. Small cities select a representative through an annual nominating process representing small towns by county. 

Minority representatives are chosen by an annual election, and other governments are represented by county (schools, rural water districts, conservation districts, vocational technical schools). Other board members include economic development interests such as the Inter-Tribal Council and the Cherokee Nation, Tulsa Port of Catoosa and Mid-America Industrial Park as nominated by the Grand Gateway board of directors.