Enid, OK (April 14, 2022) – The Cherokee Strip Community Foundation and the Enid Regional Development Alliance are proud to announce the launch of a new talent attraction program for Enid. The Work in Enid Award will provide up to $10,000 in student loan relief to individuals who take a job and move to Enid. The application is available at www.LiveinEnid.com, and the selection committee will review applications on an ongoing basis.
“The Cherokee Strip Community Foundation (CSCF) is excited to collaborate with ERDA to launch this new talent attraction program that would work like any other competitive scholarship program, said Carrie Sanders, Executive Director of CSCF. The Cherokee Strip Community Foundation currently holds and administers many traditional scholarship funds for donors, and the Work in Enid Award is another great addition. This is an excellent example of how philanthropy and economic development can work together to build a thriving community.”
To qualify for the program, applicants may not currently live in Enid, and must have either a four-year or two-year degree from a university or community college or have a certificate from a career tech program. Preference will be given to applicants who have a tie to northwest Oklahoma.
ERDA is pleased to partner with the Cherokee Strip Community Foundation on the Work in Enid Award, said Lisa Powell, ERDA Executive Director. Being able to provide this student loan debt relief program adds another tool for employers to use as they recruit talent to Enid. This re-location incentive combined with the WorkinEnid.com job board will be instrumental in raising awareness of the boundless opportunities available in Enid, Oklahoma.
A job commitment letter from an employer in Enid, or a full-time remote position in a professional role, will be required within 120 days of being selected for this award. Recipients will receive up to $10,000 or $1,000 paid quarterly over 2.5 years. The total number of awards will be based on the available fund balance and loan balances of eligible applicants. CSCF and ERDA combined have committed $65,000 to establish the fund, however any donor can add any amount into the fund held at the Cherokee Strip Community Foundation.
More information can be found at www.LiveinEnid.com or by contacting Carrie Sanders, Cherokee Strip Community Foundation Executive Director, at 580-234-3988 or carrie@cherokeestripcf.com.
The Cherokee Strip Community Foundation is an Oklahoma nonprofit operating for charitable purposes. Their mission includes developing and administering endowment and other funds with the goal of enhancing value to benefit the communities it serves.
The Enid Regional Development Alliance is a non-profit (501c6) organization established to assure the economic prosperity of Enid, Oklahoma and the surrounding area. ERDA is funded through corporate memberships, and public funding from the City of Enid and the Garfield County Industrial Authority.