Regional Economic Prosperity
Chamber partners share the value of regional collaboration
Regionalism: it’s an essential part of the Chamber’s mission, let alone the organization’s name.
Rather than compete for jobs and investment, northeast Oklahoma has taken a different approach. Cities, counties, chambers of commerce and economic development organizations work collaboratively to improve their collective economic prosperity. This collaboration includes the Chamber-led Tulsa’s Future partnership for regional economic development, which is supported by public and private investors; and the OneVoice coalition of more than 75 endorsers of a shared, pro-business legislative agenda.
The communities in these partnerships benefit in different ways. Cities like Broken Arrow and Jenks have seen tremendous private investment in their main streets, while Bixby and Glenpool have experienced rapid recent population growth. Tribal nations have partnered with counties and economic development organizations to attract new jobs and create wealth for their citizens.
Despite different outcomes, these partners all share a common belief in the value of regional economic prosperity.
D.J. Thompson and Marie Synar
Muskogee Chamber of Commerce / Muskogee City-County Port Authority
Through our regional partnership and collaboration with the Tulsa Regional Chamber via Tulsa’s Future and the OneVoice coalition, Muskogee has had an opportunity to engage in dialogue to identify regional resources and gaps, advocate for state and federal legislative priorities, and develop partnerships to provide solutions that will benefit the region’s economic future. This effort has also provided leverage for marketing efforts and a forum for reaching out to a larger audience of public and private stakeholders, and has presented opportunities for consolidated business recruitment strategies.
It is an exciting time for Muskogee. With an increased focus on downtown, small business development and our manufacturing sector, Muskogee is poised to see expansion, an increase in jobs, a stronger workforce, increased quality of life and continued positive economic growth. Muskogee’s manufacturing sector is experiencing a period of growth and reinvestment, due in part to the resurgence of the oil and gas industry. As workforce continues to remain the number one consideration for both new and expanding businesses, Muskogee continues to charge ahead with several initiatives, including the Port of Muskogee’s Dream It Do It effort and the Muskogee Chamber of Commerce’s Intern Muskogee program and Small Business Initiative.
Chelsea Levo Feary
City of Owasso
The Tulsa region thrives due to its regional collaboration, and Owasso embraces this relationship. Collectively, our communities contribute workforce, employment, tax revenue, education and entertainment. Together we build strong communities, and Owasso is a willing partner.
Owasso is busy launching strategies from the city’s Economic Development Strategic Plan. The City of Owasso has more capital improvement projects under construction than ever, and commercial and residential developments are plentiful. Owasso’s Redbud District has two multi-million-dollar mixed-use development projects under construction, with more in discussion. Nearly all of our small business primary employers are in expansion mode, adding employees and growing their footprints.
Gary Akin
Owasso Chamber of Commerce
The Owasso Chamber has been a proud OneVoice participant since its inception. The OneVoice coalition was created to present a unified voice to our state and federal elected delegations. The strength of the coalition lies in the wide-ranging regional participation to identify and address the most important legislative issues facing our region. Over the past 11 years, we’ve had many accomplishments. Our political leaders are supportive because of the broad-based support – the collective voice of nearly a million people, the regional business and government leaders have developed a closer working relationship through their joint lobbying efforts, and my chamber’s program of work has been greatly enhanced by being a participant in the process versus going it alone.
Owasso is a dynamic, growing community. We provide outstanding public and private schools, a Tulsa Tech and a TCC campus, two state-of-the-art hospitals, a growing job base, exceptional retail and dining opportunities, quality residential developments, recreation through our many parks, golfing at Bailey Golf Ranch and the nationally renowned Patriot Golf Club, and the national headquarters of Folds of Honor. We are extremely proud of the efforts to redevelop our downtown area, now known as the Redbud District. The public and private sectors are investing millions of dollars to bring restaurants, retail shopping, small businesses, residential developments and public gatherings to the district.
John Feary
Claremore Industrial & Economic Development Authority (CIEDA)
Northeast Oklahoma’s regional approach has transformed the region from a group of segmented communities to a true metropolitan destination, with clear goals that are easily identified on both the state and federal level. The impact of our region’s united voices increases the validity and impact of our message, and allows our communities to celebrate successes beyond the borders of individual cities.
Claremore’s low cost of doing business, short commute times and central location have made it a prime candidate for industry growth and expansion. Baker Hughes' Claremore location recently celebrated an expansion of nearly 300 quality jobs, and its manufacturing sector is continuing to see unprecedented growth. The community’s retail sector continues to thrive, adding new dining options such as the Cotton Patch Cafe, Chick-fil-A, Starbucks and Frosted Artisan Cake Studio. Claremore also welcomed two new mixed-use properties, The Cornerstone and The Mark, which will be home to new residential locations and numerous new businesses.
CIEDA's Partners in Education program was expanded to include two Rogers County schools, which partnered State Farm Agent Grant Gingerich and Coldwell Banker Select Realtors with Justice-Tiawah Public Schools, and Public Service Company of Oklahoma with Oologah Public Schools. The Partners in Education program continues to positively impact our classrooms. This school year alone, Rogers County partners have invested nearly $40,000 and more than 380 volunteer hours in regional classrooms.
Brad Banks
Tulsa Port of Catoosa
Inland river transportation is just a part of the many things going on at the Tulsa Port of Catoosa. There is a strong connection to the agricultural industry, along with manufacturing and workforce development. Due to this, the relationships built within the region allow industries to gain a mutual understanding of the importance and the purpose of the port and waterway to our state’s economy. The capability to align productively with individuals and organizations in northeast Oklahoma and beyond is crucial to the continued growth and expansion of the Tulsa Port of Catoosa and inland river transportation.
There are impressive things to report at the Tulsa Port of Catoosa because of the ability to connect to regional partners in many types of industries. It is exciting to see numbers rising across the board. Barge shipping tonnage is up, with a record number of soybeans shipped from the port recently. The rail car switching operations have increasing numbers this year with new industries locating at the port. Shipments of steel have increased, which means that manufacturing is strong within the port and in the region. This directly connects to the fact that employment numbers within port industries are also expanding.
David Stewart
MidAmerica Industrial Park
Regional collaboration benefits the MidAmerica Industrial Park in its economic development efforts by establishing a foundation of support and services that otherwise might not be available, especially to the scope and scale needed for effective and impactful results. Engaged stakeholders bring a diverse set of assets, which greatly strengthens the region as it creates a more dynamic economic system with in-depth offerings for current and prospective businesses. The bottom line is that our region does not possess the critical mass to effectively compete against major metros, and we must collectively work to be more competitive in the market.
The MidAmerica Industrial Park is working diligently to enhance the park and has many active projects currently in motion. Infrastructure improvement projects include the water and waste water treatment facilities upgrade, the 400-acre Armin Road development project, and quality of life enhancement projects including a network of walking and bike trails. The park also continues to build its workforce program and is scaling out its successful K-12 partnership model, creating apprenticeship programs, establishing industry recognized certifications and enhancing its offerings in the realm of STEM.
Kian Kamas
City of Tulsa
When we think of what it will take to be successful and become a world-class city, there’s no question that it will take the full region and our collective assets to compete against cities nationally and internationally for talent and jobs. Regionally, we are over a million residents strong, and we should only continue to collaborate to ensure we can grow our population and develop the communities that will be vital to our future success.
Right now, we’re seeing an explosion of projects in downtown Tulsa. Over the next few months, we expect to see more than $200 million in new projects break ground, with more on the horizon for 2019. Beyond that, the opening of the Gathering Place is slated for later this year, and we’re progressing quickly toward launching work on low-water dams in the Arkansas River. When we think about the opportunity that continued growth in downtown brings, coupled with these major developments along the river, we can’t help but think the future looks very bright for Tulsa and the surrounding region.
Commissioner Karen Keith
Tulsa County
Regional collaboration nurtured by both the Tulsa Regional Chamber and INCOG is vital to the economic success of Tulsa County and the region. I greatly appreciate learning about and understanding the impacts of business development throughout the county and nearby counties. It is my belief that new jobs benefit everyone, and that our borders are fluid. Through the Chamber’s work, new jobs are created, and we all benefit and should celebrate the success of one another.