Collaboration is key to regional success

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Last week was the annual State of the Region address, which served as a reminder of how well our region lives up to the Oklahoma Standard: when one community succeeds, we view it as an achievement for all. As panelists from across our ten-county region shared insights highlighting recent progress and development, it was clear that OKC is thriving because of our collaboration and our trust between communities. Together, the central Oklahoma region is shaping a brighter future.

Supporting the surrounding communities helps build up Oklahoma City. As major employers decide to move their headquarters to or open a new manufacturing plant in the city, they look at the entire region, not just OKC. Success in one area of central Oklahoma is success for the entire region of central Oklahoma.

As proud residents, we are aware of the strengths that our area has to offer. With abundant land available, lower costs for land, labor, and energy, central Oklahoma is an extremely appealing location for new businesses to relocate. Our Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) status in Oklahoma City additionally reduces costs associated with duties, tariffs, taxes, and processing fees. Plus, with tax incentives and TIFs, which the Alliance for Economic Development team helps businesses acquire, our region offers a cost-effective opportunity for businesses.

The central Oklahoma region is filled with a large variety of industries, from the burgeoning film and entertainment industries to the traditional manufacturing plants to the nationally recognized aerospace and technology industries to the growing tourism industry, including sports and destination tourism. This diversity of industry across the region is a major attraction for interested organizations.

Additionally, it isn’t enough to purely focus on attracting businesses; we need to reach the people—the future employees—who will be following the businesses for jobs and becoming new residents to the region. With increased public art installations across the region, such as the Uncommon Ground Sculpture Park in Edmond, and efforts from nonprofit organizations like Allied Arts here in Oklahoma City, we’re augmenting the region’s appeal and showing off the area’s unique culture. When those future employees visit for the first time, they see our placemaking in action—something public art excels at.

Oklahoma City and our surrounding region are growing and advancing. As we work together to capitalize on each community’s strengths, our region will prosper.

Kenton Tsoodle is president of The Alliance for Economic Development of Oklahoma City.