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CLICK FOR FULL STORY OKC EXPLORES LESSONS FROM MILWAUKEE
IN THIS ISSUE:
14| IEDC’s annual
16| Recent figures show OKC’s visitor economy expanding
18| gBETA Oklahoma City readies for new fall cohort
conference will put the spotlight on Oklahoma City
OKC EXPLORES LESSONS FROM MILWAUKEE
The Greater Oklahoma City Chamber took a delegation of 71 of its members and other community leaders to Milwaukee on Aug. 24-26 for the Chamber’s 15th InterCity Visit. Since 2005, this benchmarking trip has served as a fact-finding mission to learn best-practices that those in attendance can bring back to Oklahoma City. When considering cities to visit and learn from, Milwaukee might not be at the top of your list but that would be a mistake. Although the two cities differ geographically and politically, Oklahoma City and Milwaukee are working to solve some of the same social and economic issues such as homelessness, racial inequalities, education reform, innovation, visitor experience and city development. And with Milwaukee further along in the process in addressing these areas, the opportunity to learn from its leaders was invaluable. “Getting out of our city and diving into another community opens our eyes to not only the possibilities we can create back home, but also to the impact we as a community are already making,” said Sean Trauschke, OGE Energy Corp., chair of the Chamber. “The time these leaders take is critical as we identify what’s next for Oklahoma City’s progress.” Following Mayor Holt’s announcement last month that it’s time for a new arena, the group received an in-depth look at the Milwaukee Bucks’ Fiserv Forum arena. Attendees were impressed by the amenities including the comfortable seats, the open concourses which engage people even while they grab food, and the space available to connect more people to services and amenities. Oklahoma City’s new arena is an opportunity to continue growing the downtown core as a destination for sports, entertainment and other events.
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The second day of the trip included a discussion on the diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives Milwaukee is collaborating on. Nancy Hernandez, president of the Hispanic Collaborative, said they are “moving at the speed of trust,” which significantly resonated with the group. The leadership capacity that Milwaukee has to drive the conversation and create change was evident as the panelists spoke about the detailed qualitative and quantitative data they use to measure their success. “Our two communities are demographically different but the opportunities for change and improvement are the same,” said Rhonda Hooper, Jordan Advertising, vice chair of business and economic inclusion. “The progress they’ve achieved highlights the need for us to be intentional and goal-oriented as we continue this work in Oklahoma City.” Learning from the activation of Milwaukee’s waterfront, the delegation began thinking about the opportunities Oklahoma City’s river has to offer. The Boathouse District and the coming OKANA Resort are great amenities to attract people, but Milwaukee showcased there are other ways the city could draw residents and visitors to the area. With the addition of residential and commercial developments, the river could transform into a vibrant and welcoming space to live, work and play. The final day brought discussions on homelessness and affordable housing. Milwaukee’s housing-first homeless initiative is a shift in mindset from the traditional model and they have seen a 92% reduction in their unsheltered homeless population, allowing them to provide housing almost as soon as an individual becomes homeless. The work Milwaukee is doing creates a blueprint we can follow to provide the most basic
resources first, then offering other needed resources such as mental health and addiction services. The final discussions centered around education reform and Milwaukee’s journey with parent-choice vouchers. While many believe this is the panacea for the issues our schools face, hearing the challenges and results from the Milwaukee leaders validated for many in attendance that our schools are on a great path forward. Oklahoma City has great leadership who are working hard to serve all students and transform it into a district of choice. With less than 48 hours to pack in as much learning as possible, those in attendance left with many ideas but also optimism that Oklahoma City is making moves towards an even greater future for all who call it home. Special thanks to Presenting Sponsor Mason Realty Investors, LLC. Greater Oklahoma City Chamber members and other community leaders discuss various topics inside American Family Insurance Amphitheater during their recent InterCity Visit to Milwaukee.
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LEADERSHIP NOTES
TAX COLLECTIONS INDICATIVE OF RESILIENT OKC ECONOMY, CONSUMER CONFIDENCE Over the last two years, the Oklahoma City metro has consistently bucked the norm when it comes to economic strength and viability when compared to other large cities. I recently looked back at Oklahoma City’s year-over-year tax collections from July 2021 through July 2022. Overall sales tax collections were up 8% from $46.3 million in July 2021 to $49.8 million in July 2022. The largest increases came in the areas of utilities (28.2%), manufacturing (27.3%) and services (12.4%), which includes telecommunications; real estate and rental and leasing; arts, entertainment, and recreation; and other services. What is even more encouraging is that the hotel & restaurants sector, and the services sector are both on a 15-month positive streak for increasing year-over-year tax collections, and the manufacturing and wholesale sectors are currently on a 14-month positive streak. Great news indeed! When reviewing this data with economists, they do encourage everyone to proceed with a bit of caution over the coming months as signs of a nationwide economic slowdown are still knocking at the door. Short-term and long-term uncertainties abound, especially as the Federal Reserve continues to try and tame inflation as we approach the end of calendar year ‘22 and the holiday shopping season. How the national economy performs may very well dictate Oklahoma City’s economic performance in calendar year 2023. A soft landing from the Federal Reserve’s actions could spur even more economic growth, or a hard landing could stifle growth and ultimately lead to a nationwide recession. Only time will tell. I am confident that Oklahoma City residents will continue to rise up to the challenge and meet whatever comes head on and prove once again their positive outlook, resiliency and can-do attitude will win the day.
Roy H. Williams, CCE President & CEO
READ ROY’S VELOCITYOKC ONLINE STORY OF THE MONTH “NEW BRICKTOWN DEVELOPMENT WILL PROVIDE A DREAM-LIKE EXPERIENCE” VELOCITYOKC.COM/ ROYSPICK
Sincerely,
Roy H. Williams, CCE Chamber CEO & President
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UPCOMING EVENTS
CALENDAR (Events are subject to change. Consult okcchamber.com/events for the most recent updates.) SEPTEMBER 15 OKConnect Noon to 5 p.m. (Contact Marcus Elwell at 405- 290-7064 for more information) SEPTEMBER 21
National economic development trends focus of Sept. 21 Chamber Forum The Greater Oklahoma City Chamber continues its highly successful Chamber Forum series on Sept. 21 with a discussion focused on national economic development trends. The Forum will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Vast. Economic developers from outside Oklahoma City will be on hand to provide a unique perspective on the topic and how those trends impact the national and global economies, as well as Oklahoma City’s economy, business climate and community. Participating in the panel will be: • Quentin Messer, CEO, Michigan Economic Development Corporation • Danielle Casey, President & CEO, Albuquerque Regional Economic Alliance • Matt Mullin, Vice President, Policy, Programs & Communications, International Economic Development Council. The cost to attend the September Forum is $40 for Chamber members, $50 for nonmembers. To register, visit okcchamber.com/septemberforum. Visit the events page on the Chamber website for up-to-date
Chamber Forum 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Vast 333 W Sheridan Ave. okcchamber.com/ septemberforum OCTOBER 11 Chamber Connection 8:30 to 10 a.m. RACK59 Data Center 7725 W. Reno, Suite 304 okcchamber.com/ octoberconnection OCTOBER 19 Chamber Forum 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Vast 333 W Sheridan Ave. okcchamber.com/ octoberforum NOVEMBER 3 Chamber Connection 3 to 4:30 p.m. The Boldt Company 101 W. Hefner Road okcchamber.com/ novemberconnection
CHAMBER CONNECTION Tuesday, Oct. 11 8:30 to 10 a.m. RACK59 Data Center 7725 W. Reno Ave., Suite 304 No cost to attend! Want to find out more about your company’s investment in the Chamber? Attend the Chamber Connection Oct. 11 and learn more about the Chamber’s key initiatives while also meeting other members. You will walk away with a better understanding of the Chamber’s role in Oklahoma City’s business community, including: • Economic development efforts • Government relations activities • Community involvement programs • Involvement opportunities Register at okcchamber.com/connection
information on this and other events the Chamber hosts throughout the year. The Chamber Forum series brings thought leaders together to discuss major initiatives, programs and current issues that impact Oklahoma City’s business climate, economy and community. Special thanks to our Series Presenting Sponsor Cox Business and Series Corporate Sponsor ADG|Blatt.
NOVEMBER 9 State of the Economy 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. National Cowboy Hall of Fame & Western Heritage Museum 1700 NE 63rd St. okcchamber.com/econ
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Attendees of the Chamber’s State of the Economy event, scheduled for Nov. 9 at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, will hear directly from expert economists on trends in the local and national economies. Last year, attendees were treated to a panel discussion featuring several regional economists, including Robert Dauffenbach and Russell Evans, pictured above.
NATIONAL ECONOMIST BASU FEATURED SPEAKER FOR CHAMBER’S STATE OF THE ECONOMY NOV. 9
The Greater Oklahoma City Chamber will welcome expert economist Anirban Basu, chairman and CEO of Sage Policy Group, an economic and policy consulting firm in Baltimore, Md., as the featured keynote during its annual State of the Economy event, Nov. 9, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum.
consulting work on behalf of numerous clients, including prominent developers, bankers, brokerage houses, energy suppliers, law firms, leisure and hospitality groups, and business associations. He serves as chairman of the Maryland Economic Development Commission, teaches global strategy at Johns Hopkins University and serves the chief economist function for a number of organizations around the country. State of the Economy will also include a panel discussion from several regional economists on the issues that are particularly important to our state. Tickets are $60 for Chamber members and $85 for nonmembers. To register or learn more, visit okcchamber.com/soe. Sponsor tables of eight with additional recognition are available for $1,500. Please contact Suzette Ellison Jordan at sellison@okcchamber. com for table sponsor inquiries. Special thanks to Presenting Sponsor Arvest Bank.
Anirban Basu
State of the Economy is an opportunity for chamber and nonchamber members alike to stay informed on Oklahoma City’s economy. Attendees hear directly from expert economists on trends in the local and national economy, as well as on issues impacting the global economy. Basu founded Sage Policy Group in 2004 and is among the most recognizable economists, in part because of his
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The people of Oklahoma have spoken, and they’ve named Bob Funk
“BEST OF THE BEST” CEO FOR 2022
Leading Oklahoma’s “Best of the Best” Staf ng company in 2022, Express Employment Professionals of Oklahoma, Bob Funk knows that passion for people, hard work and purpose really are key to anyone’s success.
“Thank you, Oklahoma for supporting Express over the last 39 years! For us, it’s not just personnel, it’s personal!” - Bob Funk -
"Best of the Best" distinction is based on a yearly reader's poll in Oklahoma Magazine.
The Regional Transit Authority of Central Oklahoma (RTA) recently returned from Salt Lake City and the annual Transit Board and Administrators Seminar, sponsored by the American Public Transportation Association, and brought back ideas to provide more transportation options to the metro and state. “We’ve been looking at Salt Lake as the model for what we should be trying to accomplish here in Oklahoma City,” said Marion Hutchison, RTA board vice chair. A commuter rail line there runs from Provo to Salt Lake City, to Ogden, Utah. RTA BRINGS NEW IDEAS FROM UTAH AS EFFORTS CONTINUE TO BRING COMMUTER RAIL TO OKC
Hutchison said the RTA is anticipating creating a similar line here that would run from Norman to Oklahoma City to Edmond. Currently, those three cities are members of the RTA. “It’s one thing to look at those systems on paper or pictures. It’s so much more meaningful to go out there and ride it and experience it,” Hutchison said. “I think all of us that went, came back with just a higher level of enthusiasm to try to get this done.” RTA Board Chair and former Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry said he is excited about what progress has been made with the RTA and what the future holds. “I think it is a natural evolution and the next step for Oklahoma City’s transformation,” he said. “I just want people to get as excited as I am.” “We’re doing the studies; we’re looking at other systems around the country – Salt Lake just happens to be one of the premier systems,” Henry added. “The bad news is: We’re a little late to the game in terms of transit, but the good news is that we’re a little late to the game, so we can see what everyone else has done. We can see the mistakes being made elsewhere and learn from those mistakes.”
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A three-day party is planned to celebrate the completion of the MAPS 3 Scissortail Park with the opening of the 30-acre Lower Park on Sept. 23. Two years after the upper portion of downtown’s Scissortail Park opened to much fanfare, construction on the lower portion is now complete. The celebration kicks off Friday, Sept. 23, with a free evening concert by the Oklahoma City Philharmonic and ribbon cutting featuring Mayor Holt, and runs through Sunday, Sept. 25. The Park’s completion will officially tie together what has been planned for decades as part of MAPS: connecting the core of downtown Oklahoma City to the shore of the Oklahoma River, often referred to as “Core to Shore.” “What people are going to see is just a continuation of a great park.” The Lower Park will offer visitors a plethora of natural scenery and outdoor activities, including a walking trail, a hands-on nature area with climbing features for children, basketball and pickleball courts, an artificial turf soccer field and futsal court. There is also an overlook hill on the south end of the Lower Park where visitors can get a scenic view of not only the Lower Park but also downtown Oklahoma City. “One of the cool things about the Lower Park is that we were able to keep a lot of existing trees, So, there is an CITY CELEBRATES COMPLETION OF SCISSORTAIL PARK
COMMUTER RAIL (cont’d from page 11)
Hutchison explained that Salt Lake City’s intermodal transportation system allows passengers who ride the commuter rail train to seamlessly transfer to other modes of transportation, from light rail, rapid transit or regular bus, as they make their way to their final destinations. “One of the goals we have, is bringing that type of interconnectivity, efficiency, and frequency to any system we put in, so that we can ensure the public they’re going to have a seamless ride; where the transitions from one mode to another are easy, and they can get where they’re going just as easily as they can if they had to drive a car,” Hutchison said. The Chamber is a longstanding supporter of developing regional commuter rail, said Derek Sparks, senior manager of government relations for the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber. “We applaud Governor Henry and the RTA for their fact-finding mission to Utah. In the Chamber’s experience, these types of opportunities can shed positive light on the path forward for Oklahoma City,” Sparks said. “Our overall objective is to ultimately provide more transportation options and choices for the Oklahoma City region.” The RTA is an important component of the vision for a transit system in central Oklahoma. The Chamber championed legislation in 2014, as well as 2020- 2021, that was key to the development and ongoing momentum of this process. “The purpose of the transportation district is to bring the most reliable, affordable and efficient mode of public transit to the central Oklahoma area, primarily to connect the three cities via rail as well as other destinations within the transportation district,” Henry said.
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They will also get to enjoy other activities such as sports demonstrations, yoga, live music and more. With the development of the Upper Park, several businesses have sprung up on the outskirts of the park over the last couple of years, including the Social Capital restaurant on the west side and the Omni Hotel on the east side. And, of course, the Oklahoma City Convention Center was also built directly east of the Upper Park. Officials hope the new portion of the park will generate even more development south of I-40 along Harvey and S. Robinson. “We would hope that this [extension of Scissortail Park] would spur new development in those areas as well. We don’t actually plan that, but projects like this tend to do just that,” Todd said. “What people are going to see is just a continuation of a great park. And this is really the combination of the vision of Core to Shore, taken from downtown all the way down to the river. Now you can make that connection easily.”
area that already feels very mature with large trees that are in there and lots of shade,” said David Todd, MAPS Program Manager for the City of Oklahoma City. One feature in the Lower Park similar to the Upper Park is the paved Promenade located on the east side of the Upper Park but now continues over I-40 through the Skydance Bridge and into the Lower Park. Other similarities exist between the upper and lower parts of Scissortail Park, including several pavilions, but the main difference people will notice right off the bat are the athletic courts and fields. Todd said the landscape architect, along with input from the Citizen Advisory Board, Scissortail Park Subcommittee and the City, ultimately determined what amenities would be built or included in the Lower Park. “Please don’t envision that this entire park is sports courts, because it’s not. Probably only about 20% of it is. A significant amount of the park is similar to the Upper Park,” he said. In addition to the various activities and events already taking place during opening weekend, which runs Friday through Sunday evening, visitors can purchase food from the various food trucks that will be on hand. Oklahoma City’s downtown skyline seen from the south end of Scissortal Park’s Lower Park, which opens later this month.
The 30-acre Lower Park will offer visitors a plethora of natural scenery and outdoor activities, including a walking trail, a hands-on nature area with climbing features for children, basketball and pickleball courts, an artificial turf soccer field and futsal court, which is pictured above.
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IEDC’S ANNUAL CONFERENCE WILL PUT THE SPOTLIGHT ON OKLAHOMA CITY
Later this month, more than two years of planning and preparation will come to fruition when the International Economic Development Council hosts its 2022 Annual Meeting in Oklahoma City. The conference will bring more than 1,000 economic development professionals from around the world to the Oklahoma City Convention Center from Sept. 18-21. “We are very excited to show off Oklahoma City to the attendees, especially some of our newer assets like the Oklahoma City Convention Center, Omni Hotel and Scissortail Park,” said Greater Oklahoma City Chamber President & CEO Roy H. Williams. “Another benefit from hosting the conference is we have been really involved in crafting the programming of the conference. This is a fantastic opportunity to not only show off Oklahoma City but to also tell our story about the partnerships and programs that have been at the forefront of changing, not just our city, but the state.” The theme for this year’s conference is “Turning Disruption into Innovation and Opportunity,” and several of the keynote speakers and sessions will feature locals who will examine why Oklahoma City is at the forefront of this topic. One of the opening keynote addresses will feature a fireside chat between former Mayor Mick Cornett, former Chair of the MAPS 3 Citizen Advisory Board Tom McDaniel and former President & CEO of the Alliance for Economic Development Cathy O’Connor on the past, present and future of the MAPS program in Oklahoma City. The Monday morning keynote will include a special panel featuring a discussion about tribal economic development with high-level leadership from tribal
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nations in Oklahoma. The panel will feature Chief of the Choctaw Nation Gary Batton, Lieutenant Gov. of the Chickasaw Nation Chris Anoatubby and CEO of Cherokee Nation Business Chuck Garrett. The panel will be moderated by Jim Collard, director of planning and economic development for the Citizen Potawatomi Nation. “...to have it all laid out in front of them will open eyes across the country to how innovative Oklahoma City is in a lot of areas.” Mayor David Holt will also be a featured speaker where he will discuss how city government has taken a leadership role in innovation and change across the United States. Current Chamber Chairman Sean Trauschke and former Chairman David Rainbolt will be joined by representatives from the George Kaiser Family Foundation and the Tulsa Regional Chamber to discuss how the business community and philanthropic organizations are investing heavily in placemaking and community building. “To be able to sprinkle our story throughout the conference is extremely exciting for us,” said Williams. “From criminal justice reform to MAPS and the outstanding partnerships we have with our tribal nations and more, we have a unique story to tell our friends from other communities. People know bits and pieces of these stories, but to have it all laid out in front of them
will open eyes across the country to how innovative Oklahoma City is in a lot of areas.” The conference will also feature educational tours that will highlight economic development successes in Oklahoma City, including the revitalization of our commercial districts, the resurgence of the eastside of Oklahoma City and the importance of diversity in communities, the Innovation District, National Weather Center, Tinker Air Force Base, downtown Oklahoma City and the MAPS story. To see a full schedule of the conference or to register visit iedcconferences.org/OKC/.
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RECENT FIGURES SHOW OKC’S VISITOR ECONOMY EXPANDING On almost any given weekday in downtown Oklahoma City over the past year, it was hard not to notice the large number of folks walking up and down the streets, with lanyards dangling from their necks, either heading to, or returning from, the Oklahoma City Convention Center. They might have even been making a beeline to Bricktown for lunch or dinner or catching the OKC Streetcar to various other attractions in the area, including the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum or Automobile Alley. In other sections of town, like the fairgrounds or the Adventure District, parking lots were often filled to capacity as visitors attended a national horse show or spent the afternoon at one of OKC’s top tourist destinations such as the Oklahoma City Zoo or the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. This is no accident but rather the result of a highly coordinated effort by public and private entities around the metro to vault OKC into the forefront of people’s minds as a vacation destination. And it seems to be working. Most notably, and according to the Fiscal Year 2022 Annual Report by the Oklahoma City Convention & Visitors Bureau, Oklahoma City hosted 188 groups and generated more than 391,000 hotel room nights from July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2022, which includes convention
center, equine and sporting events, as well as motor- coach groups. According to CVB President Zac Craig, from January through June 2021, only about 3,000 visitors attended events at the convention center, a far cry from the approximately 180,000 visitors the convention center saw for the entire 2022 fiscal year. “What really excites me is that we’re bringing in new audiences to OKC, and so we have a lot of these new city- wide conventions that are coming into town that have The Oklahoma Sooners celebrate after winning the 2022 Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City. The WCWS broke numerous attendance records this year.
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for OKC’s visitor economy but so are other events and attractions across the metro that bring out-of-town visitors and outside dollars. The National Memorial & Museum, OKC Zoo and equine events at the fairgrounds are big money makers for the city but so are other attractions such as the recently opened First Americans Museum that is situated near the south bank of the Oklahoma River; RIVERSPORT OKC, where locals and nonlocals alike can kayak, paddleboard, and even surf and snow ski; and the Women’s College World Series, which broke numerous attendance records and drew a national TV audience of nearly two million. “If you haven’t been to the First American Museum, what an unbelievable attraction is this jewel of the city that was decades in the making. We’re a city that’s steeped in this rich, Native American, and western culture. Now we also have modern distinct amenities, like other first- tier cities. When we look at German-speaking Europe, when we look at the United Kingdom, they are fascinated by this part of our brand. It’s exciting and does open us up to those customers,” Craig said. One attraction set to open in early 2023 and expected to draw large numbers of out-of-town visitors to Oklahoma City for many years to come is the Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine, currently under construction in South OKC. The shrine is named for Oklahoma native Father Stanley Rother, the first U.S.-born priest and martyr ever beatified. “Our convention sales team is proactively seeking out faith-based conventions to come to the convention center and then go off-site and experience that beautiful footprint in South Oklahoma City,” Craig said.
never put their eyes on Oklahoma City,” Craig said. One such convention is the National Brownfields Training Conference, the largest event in the nation focused on environmental revitalization and economic redevelopment. More than 2,500 attendees visited OKC from August 16-19 for a week of panels discussions, workshop, films and other learning activities. Later this month, the International Economic Development Council, a non-profit, non-partisan membership organization serving approximately 5,000 economic developers from around the world, will hold its annual conference in OKC. No doubt conventions and other events of this size and magnitude bring people, but more importantly, these visitors spend money – and lots of it – on things like hotel stays, meals and attractions, which, in turn, are good for the city’s economy. For the first time ever, hotel tax revenue collections topped more than $6 million in FY 2022. Conventions are an important piece of the puzzle An aerial view of the First Americans Museum located in downtown Oklahoma City.
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GBETA OKLAHOMA CITY READIES FOR NEW FALL COHORT
Five early-stage startups will soon comprise the third cohort for a nearly one-year-old pre-accelerator program called gBETA Oklahoma City. The program is designed to help local founders prepare for the next step of obtaining seed funding in order to grow their companies. gBETA Oklahoma City is a program of nationally ranked gener8tor, a Madison, Wisc.-based company that connects startup founders, musicians, artists, investors, universities and corporations through a platform of pre-accelerators, accelerators, corporate programming, conferences and fellowships. gBETA Oklahoma City is supported by American Fidelity, Greater Oklahoma City Chamber, Inasmuch Foundation, Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores, Oklahoma State University, Square Deal Capital and the University of Oklahoma. The five companies selected for the cohort will go through seven weeks of intensive coaching and mentorship that hopefully results in seed round funding for the company or acceptance into an investment accelerator. During the last week, the companies participate in an investor forum where they pitch their products to about 25 investors. They also participate in weekly “Lunch & Learns” as well as speed-dating-style meetings known as “Mentor Swarms” with five mentors each week. All of this work is done without requiring any fees from the companies and with no equity “...it’s helping find companies that may not have access to resources without the program being in existence.”
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requirement. This is the second cohort to go through the program this year, which will kick off on Oct. 21. To be considered for the cohort, companies must be early stage, be based in OKC, have a minimum viable product and not be at the ideation stage. Founders who would like to apply for the fall cohort, or who just want additional information about gBETA Oklahoma City, are encouraged to visit gener8tor.com/gbeta/oklahoma-city. The application deadline for the fall cohort is Sept. 30. “This program is about so much more than the investor connections,” said Selena Skorman, former director of gBETA Oklahoma City, who now serves as gener8tor’s director of entrepreneurship policy and partnerships. “Companies in the program learn about marketing and competition. They learn about comparables and venture capital, all the while making important connections and being coached in a concierge manner.” With two cohorts already under its belt with two more still to go, officials are hopeful that the program will continue even longer. Funding will be the key, said Jeff Seymour, the Chamber’s executive vice president for economic development. “We really value the partners that are working with us on this project – we are hopeful to attract additional support to grow the program,” he said. “This program is a critical component of our entrepreneurship infrastructure. For one, it’s helping find companies that may not have access to resources without the program being in existence. Second, we want it to be one of a series of numerous components that work together to help entrepreneurs and startup companies succeed.
I think we’re also seeing new programs come to the market.” The two previous gBETA cohorts have gone amazingly well, Skorman said, proving that Oklahoma City is chock full of talented entrepreneurs and lots of impressive startups. One startup that participated in the first cohort, FlasHOLR, an on-demand hauling and moving service, has increased its recurring revenues since the cohort ended. Ascot Safety, which has since changed their name to Meru Safety, is another success story, having secured $250,000 in funding and is currently in China working on manufacturing its product – a neck brace that provides extra protection for racecar drivers. “We’ve seen really diverse entrepreneurs step up. It’s been companies that have been around for a while and are not brand new. You’re seeing them get a lot of resources to help them think through the process of getting ready for capital and polishing their pitch,” Seymour said. “There is a good pipeline [of startups]; however, we need more tools, resources and people that are out there finding entrepreneurs and ideas to help them be successful.”
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Making a move to a new city is a big decision and potential new residents need good information to make their decision. The Greater Oklahoma City Chamber makes that material easy to find every year in its annual Oklahoma City Official Welcome Guide. The 2022 Oklahoma City Official Welcome Guide is now available and is packed with information for Oklahoma City’s newest residents. There are NEW OKC WELCOME GUIDE PROVIDES AN ARRAY OF USEFUL INFO FOR NEW RESIDENTS
sections loaded with detail about the city’s history, neighborhoods, schools, climate and weather, the economy and, of course, what to do and where to go for fun. The guide is an informative tool for companies and businesses to use when recruiting new talent to the city. It includes information about how Oklahoma City residents continue to invest in themselves by passing major bond issues and funding initiatives such as MAPS 4 to continue the renaissance the city has witnessed over the last two decades. There are also details about the city’s growing industries, such as aerospace, logistics and distribution, and biomedical. Potential residents can read about new attractions such as the First Americans Museum and learn more about Oklahoma City’s housing market and the variety of housing options available throughout the city for new move-ins. Check out the 2022 Oklahoma City Official Welcome Guide for yourself and see what makes Oklahoma City such a great place to live and work. The publication can be found on ABetterLifeOKC.com beginning Sept. 12.
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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
160 Driving Academy 3712 NE 104th St. Oklahoma City, OK 73128 Dave’s Hot Chicken 208 Johnny Bench Dr. Oklahoma City, OK 73104
Mo’ Bettahs 300 NW 23rd St. Oklahoma City, OK 73103
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WELCOME NEW MEMBERS
Businesses who join the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber are part of the largest coalition of businesses in the state and make the Chamber’s work in the community possible. Each member level is identified on the listing below.
CORE Clear Channel Airports Advertising - Indoor / Outdoor Mr. Kyle Huddle...................................(610) 395-8002
CORE Junk Platoon Waste Management & Disposal Mr. Todd Temaat................................(405) 900-8387 755 Napol Ave.
PARTNER+ Hunger Free Oklahoma Nonprofit / Service Agencies Ms. Keili McEwen...................................(918) 591-2491 309 NW 13th St., Suite 103 Oklahoma City, OK 73103-3708 hungerfreeok.org ADVISOR Chloeta Government Relations Ms. Meredith Kemp..........................(877) 245-6382
ASSOCIATE 160 Driving Academy Truck Driving Instruction Mr. Cody Chiles...................................(405) 467-9776 3712 NE 104th St.
7450 Tilghman St., Suite 104 Allentown, PA 18106-9034 www.clearchannelairports.com
Edmond, OK 73034-1011 https://junkplatoon.com
Oklahoma City, OK 73128-5224 www.160drivingacademy.com
CORE Franco Roofing, LLC Roofing Contractors Mr. Bryan Franco..................................(405) 921-5168 6708 NE 23rd St. Oklahoma City, OK 73141-1012 www.franco-roofing.com CORE JohnnyWas Retail Ms. Shari Scudder..............................(405) 669-9513 5840 N. Classen Blvd., Suite C03C Oklahoma City, OK 73118-1211 www.johnnywas.com
CORE Kbb Real Estate Real Estate Ms. Kara Bowes...................................(405) 361-4079 714 S. Dewey P.O. Box 2355 Oklahoma City, OK 73109-2355 www.kbbrealestate.com CORE Northern Tool and Equipment Retail Mr. Thomas Rhoadarmer.............(405) 543-2988 1600 W. I-240 Service Road Oklahoma City, OK 73159-8201 www.northerntool.com
ASSOCIATE Ted’s Tacos and Cantina Restaurants Mr. Riley Denton...................................(405) 400-9011 600 NW 23rd, Suite A 3555 NW 58th St., Suite 505 Oklahoma City, OK 73112-4706 www.tedstacocantina.com CORE Automation & Electronics, Inc. Engineering Services Mr. Jeff Holder.....................................(307) 277-2602 208 NW 60th St. Oklahoma City, OK 73118-7410 www.autoelect.com
701 Cedar Lake Blvd, Suite 320 Oklahoma City, OK 73114-7820 chloeta.com
ADVISOR HP Engineering, Inc. Engineering Services Mr. Andrew W. Mock......................(405) 286-9945 205 NW 63rd St., Suite 100 Oklahoma City, OK 73116-8209 www.hpengineeringinc.com
MEMBER UPGRADES
ASSOCIATE Mo’ Bettahs Restaurants Ms. Amy Galvin=TAB=(801) 642-3800 2081 24th Ave. NW 1557 W. Innovation Way Lehi, UT 84043 https://mobettahs.com/
The following member companies increased their investment in the Chamber, demonstrating strong support of the Chamber’s efforts to drive the region’s economy. To increase your investment, contact the Membership Division of the Chamber at 405-297-8949 or membership@okcchamber.com.
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OKLAHOMA CITY RANKS AS THE EIGHTH BEST-RUN CITY IN THE US ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
CITY
RANK
QUALITY OF CITY SERVICES
TOTAL BUDGET PER CAPITA
NAMPA, ID
1
21
1
BOISE, ID
2
3
3
FORT WAYNE, IN
3
62
2
NASHUA, NH
4
9
9
LEXINGTON-FAYETTE, KY
5
34
6
LINCOLN, NE
6
11
19
LAS CRUCES, NM
7
69
5
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK
8
65
8
MISSOULA, MT
9
50
12
DURHAM, NC
10
51
11
SOURCE: WALLETHUB, JUNE 2022
Wallet Hub ranked Oklahoma City in the top 10 best-run cities in the nation. In order to determine the best-run cities in America, WalletHub compared 150 of the most populated cities across six key categories: 1. Financial Stability 2. Education 3. Health 4. Safety 5. Economy 6. Infrastructure & Pollution
The “Quality of City Services” was based on the average of the metrics above, providing each city with a numbered score between zero and 100. That score was then divided by the respective city’s total budget per capita to present an overall ranking. All of these factors combined helped OKC’s ranking as one of the best-run cities in the country.
For comprehensive Economic Indicators and regional data, please visit your Greater Oklahoma City Chamber Economic Development Division at greateroklahomacity.com or contact Eric Long, Research Economist at 405-297-8976 or email him at elong@ okcchamber.com. DID YOU KNOW? Get regional demographic data, consumer expenditure information, labor force data for the Greater Oklahoma City Region and more at greateroklahomacity.com.
23
2022 OFFICERS
ISSUE #3571 - SEPTEMBER 2022 Editorial staff Harve Allen and Cynthia Reid Designer Billy Callan 405-297-8900 thepoint@okcchamber.com okcchamber.com twitter.com/okcchamber
SEAN TRAUSCHKE OGE Energy Corp. Chair JOHN HART Continental Resources Treasurer DAVID E. RAINBOLT BancFirst Corporation Corporate Secretary CLAYTON I. BENNETT Dorchester Capital Vice Chair, Strategic Planning STEVE HAHN AT&T Oklahoma Vice Chair, Membership JUDY J. HATFIELD, CCIM Equity Commercial Realty Advisors, LLC Vice Chair, Military and Aerospace
RHONDA HOOPER Jordan Advertising Vice Chair, Business and Economic Inclusion BRADLEY W. KRIEGER Arvest Bank Vice Chair, Government Relations BILL LANCE The Chickasaw Nation Vice Chair, Partnership Development
J. LARRY NICHOLS Devon Energy Corporation Vice Chair, Strategic Planning TERESA ROSE, JD Communities Foundation of Oklahoma Vice Chair, Education and MAPS 4 Development NATALIE SHIRLEY National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum Vice Chair, Convention and Visitor Development
facebook.com/okcchamber VeloCity (ISSN 1075-6264) is published monthly by the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber, 123 Park Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK 73102. SUBSCRIPTIONS: $15 per year included in Chamber membership; nonmembers, $25 per year within the U.S.. Periodicals Postage paid at Oklahoma City. Advertising rates upon request. Publisher reserves the right to refuse any advertising.
TOM J. MCDANIEL American Fidelity Foundation
W. KENT SHORTRIDGE Oklahoma Natural Gas Company Vice Chair, Economic Development ROY H. WILLIAMS, CCE Greater Oklahoma City Chamber President & CEO
Vice Chair, MAPS 3 Development JENNY LOVE MEYER Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores Vice Chair, Marketing and Communications
RICK MUNCRIEF Devon Energy Corporation Vice Chair, Forward Oklahoma City
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