NATIONAL AWARD HIGHLIGHTS OKANA’S ROLE IN OKC’S GROWTH
The development features an 11-story, 404-room hotel, a 4.5-acre outdoor waterpark, a 100,000-square- foot indoor waterpark, multiple restaurants, event venues and a freestanding entertainment plaza. The resort supports OKC’s growing tourism sector, which draws 24 million visitors each year and contributes $4.5 billion in annual economic activity. In its first year, OKANA is projected to generate $97 million in impact and over $1.3 billion across a 10-year span. It is expected to create 400 to 600 permanent jobs and draw about 500,000 annual visitors, with more than half coming from outside Oklahoma. OKANA has already exceeded early hiring estimates, employing more than 500 people. In its first year, it is expected to support 800 direct and indirect jobs and generate $23.1 million in payroll. Visitor spending beyond the resort is projected to support 158 additional jobs, $4.5 million in payroll and $18.5 million in annual economic activity. Over 10 years, the combined effect of resort operations and visitor spending could reach $1.3 billion, supporting 985 jobs and producing $320.6 million in payroll. The Chickasaw Nation provided 100 percent equity funding and used public financing tools such as tax increment financing, the Oklahoma Enterprise Zone Incentive Leverage Act and federal transit grants.
The resort’s completion follows years of work between the Chickasaw Nation, the city and development partners. The project is designed to expand tourism, draw long-term investment and strengthen Oklahoma City’s role as a national center for Native and Indigenous culture. OKANA’s success represents more than a business milestone. The project reinforces OKC’s place as a destination for cultural tourism and large-scale investment. The ICSC award reflects both the resort’s local economic impact and its role as a national example of tribal and municipal partnership.
The OKANA Resort & Indoor Waterpark was named a winner in the 2025 Innovating Commerce Serving Communities (ICSC) Excellence in Community Advancement Awards, announced during ICSC Las Vegas. “We chose to nominate OKANA for the Excellence in Community Advancement Award because it represents a bold vision brought to life through partnership, placemaking and cultural celebration,” said Tammy Fate, director of retail development and recruitment for the Chamber. “This project is not only transforming Oklahoma City’s riverfront—it’s honoring heritage, creating opportunity and inspiring a new generation of community-centered development.” The awards recognize public-private partnerships that deliver measurable results through retail or mixed- use development. OKANA received the Innovation in Community honor, a special recognition selected by ICSC judges and the Community Advancement Advisory Committee. The honor is awarded to a project that introduces a creative solution to a community challenge or significantly improves community impact. Led by the Chickasaw Nation, the OKANA Resort and Indoor Waterpark opened in February, marking a major step forward for the city’s visitor economy and the Chickasaw Nation’s business strategy. The $400 million resort is located in the Horizons District next to the First Americans Museum and is the largest commercial investment in city history.
Congratulations to Chamber members on their recent Grand Openings! To see the schedule of upcoming Grand Openings or subscribe to the Grand Openings calendar, visit okcchamber.com/grandopenings. GRAND OPENINGS
Bel Aire Recovery Center 10707 Broadway Extension OKC OK 73114 Titan Title & Closing Platinum, LLC 1225 N. Broadway Ave. Suite 104 OKC OK 73103-4826 Armstrong Bank 115 Park Ave. OKC OK 73102 Tinker on Forty8 5707 SE 48th St. OKC OK 73135 Bear Creek Homes 3620 N. Western Ave. OKC OK 73118 VEG-Veterinary Emergency Group 13230 Pawnee Drive Suite 100 OKC OK 73114 First Fidelity Bank 13144 N. May Ave. OKC OK 73120
8
9
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online