Opportunity Odessa is comprised of non-governmental, non-partisan community leaders from various business sectors throughout Odessa and Ector County, a press release detailed.
The organization was formed in 2019 with the mission of establishing an inclusive, community-driven, long term vision for Odessa and advocating for that vision. The efforts have been underwritten by GROW Odessa, a private non-profit, non-partisan economic development organization that was started in the 1960’s.
In 2020, Opportunity Odessa facilitated a community survey in English and Spanish, which resulted in more than 4,100 respondents prioritizing what they saw as the most critical areas of need in Odessa and Ector County, the press release stated.
These areas of need were divided into 12 categories, with Support for ECISD being the top spot as deemed by respondents. The next four categories of need, in order of importance, were Invest in Infrastructure, Improve Public Safety, Invest in Amenities and Capture State and Federal Funding Opportunities.
With the number one need overwhelmingly showing up as Education (Support ECISD), Opportunity Odessa proudly endorses the passage of the ECISD Bond A and B Propositions.
“Our community can’t grow and certainly can’t thrive without more space and better facilities for our students,” David Boutin, member of the Opportunity Odessa Executive Committee and a GROW Odessa Past Chairman, stated in the press release. “We are decades behind in building a new high school. Our growth over the past decade has been record-setting, and the next three to ten years will make the last decade look like we were moving in slow motion. No doubt, now is the time to say YES to a bright future for our students and this community. The Opportunity Odessa survey results showed that people understand the need for the best public education system possible. It starts with voters willing to invest in improvements through the passage of this Bond.”
Election Day is May 7 with early voting starting on April 25.
