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(NewsDakota.com) The Oakes Area Chamber of Commerce and Oakes Enhancement Inc. teamed up to host a joint annual meeting of the two organizations at the Angry Beaver Lodge on Tuesday night.

A few of the highlights included the meeting’s featured speaker; Mr. Brad Barth from the North Dakota State College of Science in Wapheton. Mr. Barth challenged those gathered to think outside the box in how to recruit and retain a skilled workforce; be it technical or 4-year, and also suggested in his presentation communities need to be creative in attracting the workforce of the future and how getting young skilled workers ties into economic development and the growth of the community.

The Chamber presented outgoing board members Tara Schmitz, Becki Thompson and Ron Maddock with certificates, presented the Distinguished Service Award to Oakes City Auditor April Haring, and presented the Presidential Gavel Plaque Plate to Jean Schmaltz stating the three years she has served as president.

Doug Sitzler gave the State Of The City address, and noted Oakes is a great place to live and it is a privilege to serve with examples such as the response after last year’s summer storm as well as the troop send off.

Safe routes to school sidewalk work will continue with replacement or new construction as funds are available. The infrastructure improvements continue and maps were circulated with those areas done and the ones scheduled for this summer.

There was also encouragement made for citizens to read up on property tax proposal to come before voters this year which if passed would remove property taxes in the state.