House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, and members of the Oklahoma House Republican Caucus continued their statewide Capitol to Community series this week with a two-day stop in Woodward. The event highlighted the region’s strengths in education, youth services, energy and natural resources while giving lawmakers the chance to engage directly with local leaders and residents.

The tour began Sunday evening with a community reception at the Woodward County Event Center. On Monday, members spent a full day immersed in the area. Highlights included a visit to the Woodward TAP (Technical Applications Program) at Woodward Middle School, a stop at Western Plains Youth & Family Services to learn more about local efforts to support children and families and a tour of the High Plains Technology Center.

The afternoon included a guided bus tour through Alabaster Caverns State Park, Boiling Springs State Park, and the Terry Peach Watershed Restoration Expansion Project, which gave legislators a firsthand look at the region’s natural resources and conservation efforts.

“From career training in our schools to the stewardship of our natural resources, this community shows how local initiative and state partnership can come together to create real opportunities," said Speaker Hilbert. "Our Capitol to Community tour is about learning from local voices, and Woodward reminded us just how much Oklahoma’s strength begins at the community level."

Representatives Mike Dobrinski, R-Okeene, and Carl Newton, R-Cherokee, who both represent the Woodward area, praised the event as an important opportunity to showcase northwest Oklahoma’s contributions to the state:

“Northwest Oklahoma is proud of its people, its land, and its industries. This tour gave us the chance to highlight that on a larger stage. From education to energy to natural resources, Woodward plays a vital role in Oklahoma’s success. Having Speaker Hilbert and our colleagues here to see it firsthand is invaluable, and we are grateful for their commitment to listening and engaging directly with our communities.”

The Capitol to Community series will continue with additional stops across Oklahoma throughout the interim including Ardmore, Lawton and Guthrie.