Greater Oklahoma City’s Western heritage is more than part of the region’s identity. It is also an opportunity for economic growth. The Greater Oklahoma City Chamber’s Western Strategy builds on the region’s existing Western assets to attract businesses, support investment and strengthen an industry ecosystem already drawing companies and visitors from across the globe. The region hosts more than 30 major livestock and equine events each year and is home to national industry associations, manufacturers and other Western businesses. For Tammy Fate, vice president of business attraction and development at the Chamber, those assets also create a direct pipeline for business recruitment. Livestock and equine events at OKC Fair Park bring manufacturers, vendors and other companies into the market, giving the Chamber an opportunity to introduce them to Greater Oklahoma City as a potential home. “It’s an opportunity for us to go out and meet with them, manufacturers, and say, ‘Have you thought of Oklahoma City or have you thought about our region?’” Fate said. CHAMBER’S WESTERN STRATEGY BUILDS ON OKC’S STRENGTHS TO ATTRACT NEW BUSINESS
The Red Angus Association is one example of the opportunity the Chamber hopes to build on. The organization recently relocated from Colorado following a search that began with about 10 cities along the Interstate 35 corridor. The search eventually narrowed to Kansas City and Oklahoma City. Executive Vice President Greg Ruehle said both offered opportunities, but Red Angus saw Oklahoma City as a market where the association could establish itself earlier and benefit from future growth. Red Angus is currently leasing space in Midwest City while preparing to search for a permanent home in the region. Ruehle said the association is also considering eventually developing a multipurpose facility. The Chamber hopes to build on examples like Red Angus by attracting more of the companies and organizations connected to the Western industries already thriving in the region — turning Greater Oklahoma City’s longstanding Western identity into new investment, jobs and business growth.
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