A unified voice for OKC: Judy J. Hatfield

The Chamber’s work at the capitol is an effort to strengthen the business climate in the region and state, but it also is reflective of the Chamber’s more than 5,000 member companies and the more than 250,000 employees represented by those companies.

Judy J. Hatfield, president and CEO of Equity Commercial Realty, LLC, knows firsthand the impact of the Chamber’s advocacy efforts. In 2008, Hatfield purchased the Carnegie Building in downtown Oklahoma City. Where most people saw an abandoned library, Hatfield saw the opportunity to create more residential space in the downtown core.

“Once you’re inside the building and get to look out the windows, it’s impossible to miss the true potential here,” she said.

"By combining our efforts and our voices, we have the ability to make positive things happen in Oklahoma City." 

But Hatfield’s plans for renovating the former library haven’t always gone smoothly. “There have certainly been bumps along the road, as with all projects,” she said. “If you’d told me in 2008 that it would be 2013 before we started construction, I’m not sure I would have believed you, but with all projects you have to be flexible and this one has been no exception.”

While she originally had plans to create urban condos filled with modern features, a change in the urban residential market brought a mind shift for the project. And after a little digging, Hatfield found out that the building’s historic status opens the door for a new concept and brings into play the opportunity to use historic building rehabilitation tax credits.

But talks of income tax reform and other budget-reducing measures put Hatfield’s access to such tax credits in jeopardy.

“For years, historic tax credits have been making it more feasible for people to transform once rundown and underutilized structures across our city,” said Hatfield. “We’ve all experienced how the MAPS projects have rejuvenated Oklahoma City. The tax credits act in a similar way, encouraging developers like myself to bring life back to buildings that used to be full of it. It’s all representative of the community here – a very close-knit, positive, creative cauldron of entrepreneurial talent. We are a people who make great things happen in our city, and the historic building rehabilitation tax credits help spur that growth and development.”

With the help of the Chamber, Hatfield was able to be more than the voice of one small-business owner.

“The Chamber has been a major voice for business as we have worked to continue this economic development resource and many others. By combining our efforts and our voices, we have the ability to make positive things happen in Oklahoma City. The Chamber is our megaphone, and as they continue to promote the needs of our businesses to the legislature, our state and region will continue to grow.”

This article originally appeared in the 2012 Greater OKC Chamber Annual Report.