A B O U T T H E C H A M B E R Since its founding 125 years ago, the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber has been the voice of the business community and the visionary organization of Oklahoma City. Throughout its history, the Chamber has worked to encourage new industry, support existing businesses and drive the momentum of the region. The Chamber’s list of contributions to the
• Supporting community efforts that enhance opportunities and amenities for residents HIGHLIGHTS OF 2018 Throughout 2018, the Chamber and the Greater Oklahoma City region experienced success on various projects, including: • The Greater Oklahoma City Chamber continued to pursue economic development opportunities for the region. In 2018, the Chamber worked on 124 successful economic development projects with 7,380 announced jobs and more than $495 million in capital investment in the Greater Oklahoma City region. • Oklahoma City saw significant progress on several MAPS 3 projects, including the groundbreaking of the convention center and the completion of the OKC Streetcar and the Pete White Senior Health and Wellness Center. • Oklahoma City re-entered the world of aircraft production with the grand opening of Kratos Defense & Security Solutions’ unmanned aerial systems engineering facility in Oklahoma City. • The state of Oklahoma saw a historic teacher pay raise enacted at the State Capitol, which has been a top Chamber priority for two years. The annual teacher pay increase of $6,100 (on average) was the largest teacher pay increase in state history, and it was funded by the first tax increase passed by the Legislature since State Question 640 was adopted in 1992. • The OKC Schools Compact, of which the Chamber is a founding member, launched a new program focusing on the mental health outcomes of students in the Oklahoma City Public School District. The initiative seeks to place evidence-based social and emotional learning programs in the schools that need them the most.
growth of Oklahoma City spans the city’s history and includes providing utilities to the community at the city’s founding, securing airmail service in the 1920s and recruiting an air depot that later became Tinker Air Force Base to locate in Oklahoma City in the ‘30s. More recently, the Chamber has rallied the community around the Metropolitan Area Projects elections and championed criminal justice reform in Oklahoma County. No matter the generation, the Chamber has worked tirelessly to bring new industry to the region, speak on behalf of business at all levels of government and improve the quality of life for all residents. Throughout the 2018 Annual Report, it is evident that the Chamber’s principles are driving its work on economic development, criminal justice reform, advocacy and more illustrate the pioneering spirit still at work in Oklahoma City. At the heart of the Chamber is the more than 3,200 members who invest in the growth of the region with their time and resources. GOALS: The Chamber seeks to increase Greater Oklahoma City’s ability to rapidly seize new and expanding economic opportunities by: • Creating a business climate and positive image that are strong foundations for economic development • Attracting new businesses, supporting the growth of existing businesses and fostering entrepreneurship • Enhancing the region’s attractiveness for visitors and events • Ensuring the region’s talent base for the future through improvements in education and attraction/retention of talent • Providing value-added opportunities and benefits to our membership
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