Kevin Dawson, the influencer behind the Maybe in Midland-Odessa Facebook group, said that a diversified economy could lead to a more resilient future, albeit requiring strategic alignment of skill sets and competitiveness in wages. Dawson was a guest on a recent episode of the Best of Midland Podcast.
“They are no longer investing into communities where the economy is driven by one singular industry," said Dawson on a recent edition of the Best of Midland Podcast. “If we could get the economy to be 75% oil and gas, 25% other, I think we would have a much more robust economy. I think we're shifting in that direction.”
“What we have to do to get there is going to leverage the skill sets that are within oil and gas and find other industries where those transfer over well," Dawson said, "Other manufacturing, kind of blue-collar related industries will fit that, but then you have to be able to compete with the pay."
Dawson is an influencer known for being behind the Maybe in Midland-Odessa Facebook group. This page is focused on tracking commercial development in the area and advocating for the growth of new establishments in Midland-Odessa. Dawson is also recognized as a podcaster, author, keynote speaker, and filmmaker.
Best of Midland Podcast is hosted by Ryan Shewchuk and Terra Avery. It is an extension of the broader Best of Midland program, which aims to support small, local businesses by showcasing them and the people behind them. Their website lists top businesses and upcoming live events happening in the area.
The podcast is available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.