The steady decade-long drop in federal funding for the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission is causing the agency to close Workforce Oklahoma locations, including offices in Sand Springs and Claremore.

Executive Director Richard McPherson said his agency, which handles unemployment benefits and job training for the state, hasn’t been high on lawmakers’ priority list compared to other essential services, forcing it to do more with less.

Now that dip in funding is making some of those who need the agency’s services drive farther. McPherson said those affected by the Sand Springs closure will be served in Sapulpa, and those affected by the Claremore closure may travel to Pryor.

The closures will leave the agency with 30 offices statewide. Other closing offices include Stilwell and Holdenville. The closures should be complete by the end of the year.

McPherson said he hopes the disruption is minimal for clients but understands that it’s going to inconvenience some people.

“This hasn’t been fun for us,” McPherson said. He added that the agency has consolidated quite a bit internally over the past few decades.