FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 16, 2020
CUSHING – The Oklahoma Board of Corrections at their July 15, 2020 Special Meeting entered into a contract with CoreCivic that will transfer current Oklahoma state prisoners (approximately 1,600) out of Cimarron Correctional Facility (CCF) to other State of Oklahoma owned prisons or to CoreCivic’s Davis Correctional Facility (Holdenville, OK). City and CEDF administration currently understands that the transfer is to take place immediately and finalize in September 2020.
CoreCivic has been an ubiquitous corporate citizen in Cushing since its opening in 1997. The purchase of the property by CCF from the City of Cushing helped the citizens of Cushing to construct a modern aquatic center that has drawn thousands of visitors and improved our quality of life. CCF has since its opening up to present day been one of the largest employers in the region, and one of Cushing Municipal Authority’s biggest and most trusted utility customers. CoreCivic has always participated in our community by hosting regularly scheduled informational meetings, sponsoring community events, and allowing employees to serve on local boards as exemplified by current Cushing Chamber of Commerce Board President Mike Munday.
The City of Cushing and the Cushing Economic Development Foundation continue to see the potential in the significant capital investment Corecivic has made in the community and will work with all parties to make sure that the Cimarron Correctional Facility is utilized to its maximum potential. Many options remain available for the facility and it is the goal of the City of Cushing and Cushing Economic Development Foundation that employment numbers remain as high as possible. Resources will continue to be made available via current economic development contracts and relationships with local, regional and national partners to make Cushing everyone’s first thought for investment!
The following are a list of activities the City of Cushing and Cushing Economic Development are undertaking in response to the Oklahoma Department of Corrections and CoreCivic July 15, 2020 contract:
- Offered CoreCvic use of community facilities as meeting spaces for any potential workforce transition programs or processes.
- Kept local and state elected officials informed of ongoing developments and communications.
- Researched additional parnterships, programs and resources to maintain current employment at the Cimarron Correctional Facility.
- Continue with the implementation of the CEDF’s Program of Work which is continually reviewed by the CEDF Board on a monthly basis and by the Cushing Industrial Authority in quarterly meetings.
- Maintain excellent working relationships with the State of Oklahoma, CoreCivic, and all economic development partners.
Terry Brannon Bruce Johnson
City Manager Executive Director
City of Cushing Cushing Economic Development Foundation
