Oklahoma City Competes Nationally for Projects and Investment

Companies and developers across the country often compare multiple metropolitan areas when determining where to invest capital, expand operations or open new locations. Oklahoma City is introduced to many of those decision-makers through national outreach conducted by local economic development and retail recruitment teams.

“Site selection is a competitive national process,” said Dennis Pruitt, senior vice president of economic development for the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber. “Companies are evaluating multiple metropolitan areas before committing capital, and our ongoing relationships ensure Oklahoma City is consistently positioned as a strong, investable market.”

The Greater Oklahoma City Chamber’s retail development team participates in an average of 12 out-of-market industry conferences annually, including International Council of Shopping Centers and Urban Land Institute events. At these conferences, Chamber representatives meet with national and regional retailers, brokers and tenant representatives to introduce Oklahoma City as a potential expansion market.

“National retailers are evaluating markets that demonstrate sustained population growth, income momentum and strong mixed-use development. Our outreach ensures Oklahoma City is consistently part of that expansion conversation, and we’re seeing brands respond to the long-term investment happening across the city,” said Tammy Fate, director of retail development and recruitment for the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber.

The Chamber’s economic development team similarly engages corporate site selectors and company representatives at national recruitment conferences, introducing Oklahoma City to decision-makers evaluating potential locations for relocation or expansion.

Corporate site selectors often guide companies through complex relocation and expansion decisions. Firms such as Newmark, Colliers, EY and JLL work with companies evaluating potential markets across industries ranging from aerospace and biotechnology to manufacturing and shared services.

To stay connected with those decision-makers, the Chamber regularly participates in industry events including Site Selectors Guild gatherings, Area Development conferences, Consultant Connect events and international industry showcases such as the Farnborough Air Show and the BIO International Convention.

When marketing Oklahoma City to prospective companies, the Chamber often highlights the region’s central U.S. location, competitive cost of doing business and strong workforce pipeline. Major employers including Tinker Air Force Base, the Federal Aviation Administration, Boeing and Pratt & Whitney contribute to a highly skilled labor pool, while Oklahoma’s CareerTech system continues to produce a work-ready workforce.

Combined with continued investments through MAPS and a relatively low cost of living, these factors help position Oklahoma City as an attractive market for long-term capital investment.

Retailers and developers evaluating potential markets often consider long-term performance indicators such as population growth, household income and district development. In Oklahoma City, MAPS investments and catalytic projects such as The Half, Chisholm Creek, Classen Curve, Rose Creek Plaza, OKANA and OAK continue to shape mixed-use districts and walkable commercial corridors.

Sustained outreach has contributed to new-to-market retail and entertainment investments in recent years, including Andretti’s Indoor Karting & Games, Truckyard, MMTH Fieldhouse, Scheels, Trader Joe’s and Bush League Tavern.

Recruitment activity involving out-of-state companies evaluating Oklahoma City further illustrates how national outreach to site selectors and corporate decision-makers can translate into long-term private investment for the region.

Retail recruitment and business development efforts often include direct outreach to brands, hosting national decision-makers in market and maintaining strategic partnerships with developers. As companies continue to compare potential markets for expansion, Oklahoma City’s central location, workforce strength and coordinated public-private investment help position the region as a competitive destination for long-term capital investment.