Look back at 2022's biggest relocations and expansions

Editor's note: This is an excerpt from the recently released 2023 Greater Oklahoma City Economic Outlook. 

READ THE FULL 2023 GREATER OKLAHOMA CITY OUTLOOK. 

READ the 2023 Greater Oklahoma City Outlook Overview.

In 2022, 101 Chamber-assisted companies announced plans for the creation of 5,488 jobs with an annual average salary of $47,813. In addition, those same companies announced more than $843 million in capital investment and $262 million in payroll. Over the past two years, 10,228 jobs have been created with $480 million in payroll and $1.1 billion in capital investment. 

The Greater Oklahoma City Chamber ended 2022 with 85 active projects in its economic development pipeline. The pipeline tracks companies or projects that are potentially looking to relocate or expand in the region.

The largest number of projects in the pipeline by facility type included manufacturing, office, aviation/aerospace, and distribution. The Greater Oklahoma City region was the beneficiary of several new-to-market announcements and significant expansions in 2022. A select group of those announcements are described below.

INTERNATIONAL COMPANY TO BRING UP 770 NEW JOBS TO NORMAN

Advanced Call Center Technologies (ACT) announced that they will bring up to 770 new jobs to Norman. Philadelphia-based ACT, an international company, provides multi-channel customer service support, fraud, and dispute management, claim processing, and other services to a variety of clients, including those in the financial industry. Established in 1997, the company has more than 10,000 employees across the U.S. and beyond.

USA Rare Earth LLC announced that Stillwater will be the location of America’s first rare earth metal and manufacturing facility. The company controls and operates the Round Top Heavy Rare Earth, Lithium and Critical Minerals Project in Hudspeth County, Texas. USA Rare Earth plans to invest more than $100 million in developing the manufacturing facility and will utilize its facilities and technology to convert rare earth oxides into metals, magnets and other specialty materials. These products have numerous applications, including electric vehicles, wind turbines, mobile electronic devices and military hardware. The project aims to create more than 100 new jobs and generate over $6.6 million in wages once fully operational.

DRINKWARE COMPANY SIMPLE MODERN EXPANDING IN OKC; MEASURES SUCCESS DIFFERENTLY THAN MOST

Simple Modern announced it was expanding its manufacturing footprint and moving some of its overseas production to Oklahoma City. The firm specializes in the design and manufacture of insulated stainless steel and plastic drinkware. The company also manufactures products emblazoned with professional and collegiate sports teams’ logos. Although its headquarters is located in Moore, the company announced in February 2022 that it had leased a 175,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in southeast Oklahoma City where it will begin producing many of its products.

GROCERY GIANT EXTENDS TO OKLAHOMA CITY

Kroger, the nation’s largest grocery retailer, opened a 50,000-square-foot spoke facility in Oklahoma City as an extension of their regional fulfillment center in Dallas. The new Oklahoma City facility is expected to employ nearly 200 full-time associates. 

THE TORO COMPANY ANNOUNCES PLANS TO EXPAND DITCH WITCH OPERATIONS IN PERRY

The Toro Company recently announced that Ditch Witch will be expanding its Perry manufacturing facility. The move is expected to bring up to 100 new jobs to the rural community and expand its current building by 200,000 square feet. Ditch Witch, an Oklahoma firm founded in 1902, is a leading manufacturer of underground construction equipment.

MEXICAN CONSULATE TO OPEN IN OKLAHOMA CITY

Oklahoma City has been selected as the home for a new Mexican consulate location. The Consulate of Mexico, expected to open in 2023, will provide consular services and assistance to the growing Mexican community in the state while promoting economic, commercial, educational, cultural, tourism, and community affairs relations between Mexican entities and Oklahoma stakeholders. Mexico is an important trade partner for our state and the presence of the consulate will support continued growth.