2021 Commerce for web | Page 33

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YOUNG PROFESSIONALS OF STILLWATER

WHY NOT STILLWATER ?

When I visit with family or friends I am often asked , “ Why Stillwater ?” Initially , my go-to answer was because of my job or my spouse ’ s job . In 2015 , we bought a home in town and dug our roots much deeper in the community . Before long , my response shifted to a question : Why not Stillwater ?

Stillwater is a special place ,

not just because of the university and its appeal to college students which drives the economy , but also the community as a whole is a melting pot of people and ideas . These ideas continue to propel our community forward .
I often share we chose to stay in Stillwater upon graduation , raise a family and develop a strong network of friends . A part of the reason we stayed was because of the Young Professionals of Stillwater and the growth the group provided . As a young professional , there is an awkward phase of your first job , meeting your partner or spouse , or buying a car or a home . You don ’ t really know what you ’ re doing , but you figure it out as you go .
Stillwater is a great place to have these experiences and develop the skills necessary for success as a professional . It is because of YPS you find connections and ways to navigate this phase . There are other individuals going through the same experiences .
If you take a deeper look at our community , you will also see a highly educated population , a top 10 public school system in the state and individuals who care . We have
Young Professionals of Stillwater members gathered to hand out YPS swag bags .
individuals working in various industries who come together for seasonal events , kids ’ soccer games or the county fair . We experience the good and the bad together . We grow together . Stillwater has experienced tremendous growth in the last decade .
Since arriving in 2007 , I have seen this incredible growth . Long gone are the days of Goldie ’ s , Aggie ’ s and Stillwater Bay . In addition to the university , the Stillwater community has large employers like Stillwater Medical Center , Stillwater Public Schools , County Government offices , Meridian Technology Center , ASCO Aerospace and Central
Electric Cooperative . In the last few years Stillwater has grown enough to support the addition of a commercial airline service , which has benefited our community in many ways .
The Young Professionals of Stillwater was founded in 2007 , the same year I moved to Stillwater for college . The group has grown to more than 325 members , a board of 12 and hosts roughly 24 events annually . With two monthly events and activities for young people ages 21-40 , why not join YPS ? As an outlet for growth and development , we are truly working to build the leaders of tomorrow .
By joining , for free , you or your employees can benefit from creating friendships and learning more about the community and participating in events that benefit our citizens . We are conquering the awkward phase of adulthood together . In a world experiencing panic and fear , YPS is continuing to help connect and bring the community together . So maybe we should ask those who question us , why not
Stillwater ?
Story by Cody Cramer

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COMMERCE | 2021 Profile Magazine of the Stillwater Chamber of Commerce