Op-Ed by Kenneth Corn provided by USDA Oklahoma Rural Development
Most of my adult life has been in service to the great State of Oklahoma, first, as an elected State House Member out of Poteau, Oklahoma; next, as a State Senator representing LeFlore and Sequoyah Counties; and then a seven-year stint as Anadarko’s city manager. Yet none of these roles have been as meaningful and impactful to me as the opportunity to represent rural Oklahomans as their State Director for USDA Rural Development under the appointment of President Joe Biden.
I could tell you that I’ll most fondly remember the more than $3.3 billion invested in Oklahoma or the over 8,000 projects USDA supported during my tenure. However, the truth is that my most cherished memories come from witnessing how these investments changed the lives of everyday rural Oklahomans. Abraham Lincoln aptly coined the phrase “The People’s Department” when establishing the Department of Agriculture. It’s easy to see why: America simply cannot thrive without a robust rural economy, which supports our essential needs for food, fuel, timber, electricity, and much more.
One of my most fulfilling experiences has been helping to reopen a closed hospital in Frederick, Oklahoma. In the past, when a rural hospital in our state closed, there was little hope for its return. Residents were often forced to drive an hour or more for essential healthcare or leave their hometowns to access life-saving services. However, through bipartisan collaboration, including the leadership of Congressman Tom Cole, State Representative Trey Caldwell, former Speaker of the House Lloyd Benson, and the Biden Administration, we set aside partisan gridlock to focus on practical solutions. The groundbreaking ceremony for Memorial Hospital in Frederick was a stark reminder of the importance of this job—seeing the joy and relief on people’s faces as they welcomed back life-saving healthcare services was profoundly moving.
Another milestone during my tenure has been amplifying the voices of communities that are often overlooked and ensuring their needs are heard directly in Washington, D.C. This is especially true for Oklahoma’s 13 remaining All-Black Towns. Once thriving hubs for formerly enslaved people seeking economic security and mutual protection, these communities have struggled to recover from the Great Depression and have largely been left behind for the past century. With the support of friends like Willard Tillman and Under Secretary Dr. Basil Gooden, we’ve worked to bring new economic opportunities to these historic towns, rekindling their potential as guiding lights for future generations.
Additionally, I have had the privilege of working closely with Oklahoma’s 39 Tribal Nations. President Biden has prioritized not only respecting Tribal sovereignty but actively partnering with Tribal governments. Here in Oklahoma, our Tribal Nations have been exemplary partners, providing healthcare services, high-speed internet, clean drinking water, public education resources, and more—benefits that extend beyond Indian Country to all Oklahomans. At nearly every investment event with our Tribal partners, I emphasize this: Oklahoma cannot achieve its goal of becoming a top 10 state without fully embracing the sovereign rights of our Tribal Nations and recognizing their positive contributions.
Lastly, I must acknowledge the incredible team at USDA Rural Development in Oklahoma. Spread across nearly every corner of the state, they fight tirelessly for every dollar to benefit rural Oklahoma—not because I ask them to, but because they witness the transformative impacts of their work every day. Whether it’s helping a family purchase their first home, improving educational opportunities for young people, or enhancing public safety in rural communities, their dedication to our mission is deeply personal and unwavering.
As my tenure as State Director concludes on Jan. 13, 2025, I reflect with immense gratitude on this journey. For a kid who grew up in a poor family in Howe, Oklahoma, to have the opportunity to serve a President of the United States and make a difference in the lives of my fellow Oklahomans, I am profoundly grateful. So, thank you, President Biden, for allowing me to serve my home state – it has been the honor of a lifetime.
