From Foundation to Growth: Ada Jobs Becomes Grow Ada

February 26, 2025 by Ada Jobs

Ada News Economic Development Press Release

By: Sunnie Dawn Baker

For 27 years, the Ada Jobs Foundation, in partnership with the City of Ada, has led the economic development efforts in the community. Funded by the Prop 2 funds allocated for economic development, the Ada Jobs Foundation has impacted the community in many positive ways. With changing times and new leadership, the Ada Jobs Foundation is rebranding to better reflect its mission. Ada Jobs Foundation is now becoming Grow Ada.

One of the problems with the name “Ada Jobs Foundation” is that many people found it confusing and vague. The name failed to convey their work of stimulating economic growth. Another issue was that some individuals thought that the Ada Jobs Foundation was a place to find a job, when, in actuality, the work they do creates and preserves jobs. After extensive discussions with staff and board members, President and CEO Carol Ervin and her team rebranded the organization as Grow Ada, updating its Mission and Vision statements to enhance clarity and focus. Ervin says, “We are renaming Ada Jobs Foundation to Grow Ada to more clearly reflect our goals and vision. This marks a new chapter for both Ada and Ada Jobs Foundation. With this change, we aim to highlight our growth and sharpen our focus. The new name will more effectively communicate the core values of our organization.”

Their newly refined vision is, “To create a thriving Ada where innovation, collaboration, and opportunity drive a prosperous community and vibrant economy.” The vision underscores the need to create economic growth opportunities for both the community and individuals. It also highlights the importance of partnerships. By partnering with the City of Ada, the Chickasaw Nation, East Central University, Pontotoc Technology Center, and numerous businesses, industries, and organizations, Grow Ada strengthens the community. When these entities collaborate and eliminate barriers, they amplify their efforts and create a stronger positive impact on the community.

The mission statement also reflects these values. “Grow Ada, under the Ada Jobs Foundation, drive economic development in the City of Ada, promoting innovation and entrepreneurship. It collaborates with organizations and community agencies to address the specific needs of community development.” Grow Ada pursues its mission through four key areas: Industry Attraction and Expansion, Workforce Development, Entrepreneurship, and Community Grants Partnerships. Each of these four pillars addresses a specific community need that Grow Ada is uniquely positioned to meet. Unlike towns that rely on outside consultants for economic development, Ada is fortunate to have a dedicated team of individuals who know this community and are invested in making it better.

Ervin’s track record in industry attraction and expansion is evident from her success in Atoka. She prioritizes both attracting new industries to generate jobs and maintaining strong relationships with existing businesses to support their growth and retention. Grow Ada fosters economic growth by maintaining strong ties with local industries, assisting them in identifying and securing federal, state, and local incentives.

This engagement with businesses and industries also allows Grow Ada to identify workforce gaps and deliver solutions to address them. Through their partnership with the Center on Rural Innovation, Grow Ada has been able to offer free online courses in Cybersecurity and Network Management as well as collaborating with the Ascendium group to implement a digital skilling initiative tailored to the community’s workforce needs. And, while their nationally recognized Youth Coding League team might not be ready to enter the workforce today, this is an investment in the workforce of the future and helps market Ada to industries looking to relocate who want advanced STEM opportunities for their children.

Entrepreneurship also plays a crucial role in driving economic development. Although a new small business may only create a few jobs, it serves as a catalyst for community growth and prosperity. Grow Ada hosts monthly workshops to help entrepreneurs and small business owners refine their ideas and connect with experienced professionals who can address gaps in their expertise. Beyond workshops, Grow Ada also offer one-on-one assistance, enabling entrepreneurs to discuss their ideas and get the support they need to succeed.

Finally, another important gap Grow Ada fills is that of community grants partnerships. Many grants require a community-based non-profit organization to partner in both the application process and project execution. Historically, Grow Ada has played a key role in securing grants by partnering with the City of Ada, the Chickasaw Nation, and the Oka’ Institute. These grants represent a significant investment in our community.

By rebranding as Grow Ada, the organization reaffirms its commitment to community economic expansion, aligning its mission and vision with its multivarious initiatives. Ervin says, “Grow Ada plays a crucial role in the City of Ada. We bridge the gap for grants that require a partnership with a community development organization. We offer support and guidance to grassroots entrepreneurs. Additionally, Grow Ada provides essential resources to local industries while promoting Ada to attract new businesses. Through partnerships with state and federal organizations, we can offer digital upskilling and workforce development opportunities to citizens and industries that might otherwise lack access.” Visit growada.com or email info@growada.com to learn more about Grow Ada’s initiatives and the role they play in the community.

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