OKC Innovation District joins global institute, will highlight sustainable model

Oklahoma City’s Innovation District is still in its infancy but is already moving on up.

The district was recently selected as a new member of the Global Institute on Innovation Districts (GIID). Together, they plan to highlight the district’s sustainable model of “21st century innovation, work and urban living” while developing best practices for programs and leadership.

GIID founder Julie Wagner said strategic partnering with districts around the world is key in the success of those districts.

“In-depth research and on-the-ground practice demonstrate that successful innovation districts rely on a delicate balance between leveraging unique local assets and leading with intentionality,” Wagner said. “This is the value of the Global Network.”

Looking ahead, the OKC Innovation District plans to participate in a new learning program that includes discussing strategy with other districts in order to help develop new approaches and systems that catalyze growth.

Katy Boren, president and CEO of the OKC Innovation District, said the district and the community it supports will significantly benefit from this partnership with the GIID.

"The [OKC Innovation District] has achieved the status of being considered one of the most highly regarded innovation districts in the country,” Boren said. “Being invited to join the elite group of international innovation leaders that make up GIID is very exciting and will grow the OKCID's network significantly, creating new opportunities and new partnerships.”

Jeff Seymour, executive vice president of economic development for the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber, said this is an exciting time for the OKC Innovation District.

“To be able to participate in an organization like the Global Institute on Innovation Districts not only validates the opportunity to continue to lean into the need and opportunities enabled by Oklahoma City’s Innovation District efforts but also the opportunity to continue to look at best practices around programs, leadership and technology cluster development,” Seymour said. “We are excited to see the Oklahoma City Innovation District continue to connect to best practices on placemaking and support for community and technology partnerships on a global scale.”

The OKC Innovation District was founded in 2019 and is dedicated to constructing an ecosystem that brings scientists, researchers, academia and industry experts to the table to develop new ideas and tech that drive economic growth.

Located just east of downtown Oklahoma City, the district encompasses 1.3 square miles and is home to sectors such as health, aerospace, energy and technology.

The biotech, medical and research coalition was recently awarded a $35 million federal Economic Development Administration grant that aims to fund efforts in drug development in the United States and cut reliance on international production.

The district’s economic impact is expected to be a huge win for Oklahoma City as an estimated 1,952 jobs are predicted to be created and a healthy $472 million in private investment is expected to be procured.