In this month’s Leadership Notes, Chamber President and CEO Christy Gillenwater discusses the accomplishments of 2024, including Oklahoma City’s impressive economic growth with the addition of new jobs, capital investments, and rising employment.
The Independent Shopkeepers Association (ISA) released its annual report on the state of local retail in Oklahoma. This report draws from its 2024 Shop Census, which surveyed 80 independently owned brick-and-mortar shops across the state, from large cities like Oklahoma City and Tulsa to smaller towns like Altus and Woodward. The goal: to understand the challenges, trends, and contributions of independent retailers and provide a resource for shopkeepers and policymakers.
Echo and Russell Westbrook Enterprises (RWE) are making a significant eight-figure investment in Oklahoma City’s sports and entertainment industries. Their partnership centers on the MAPS 4 Multipurpose Stadium and an entertainment district, set to transform over 40 acres near downtown OKC.
Oklahoma City’s Western heritage remains a strong influence, with cowboy culture visible in events, museums, and the Stockyards City district. While staying true to its roots, the city is becoming more cosmopolitan, thanks to a growing dining and entertainment scene.
The 2024 By the Numbers report from the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber shows that the region continues to experience significant growth and economic expansion. From population increases to sector growth and improvements in workforce development, the report provides an updated snapshot of the area's ongoing development. Below are some of the key updates:
In this month's Leadership Notes, Chamber President and CEO Christy Gillenwater highlights Oklahoma City's continued economic success, focusing on job growth, the resilience of local businesses and the challenges of meeting the growing demand for qualified talent.
Top economic strategist Andrew Busch, former chief market intelligence officer for the U.S. government, will keynote the Chamber’s upcoming State of the Economy event. Busch has briefed leading government bodies, including the White House, U.S. Senate, and Federal Reserve, on issues like inflation, interest rates, and China trade.
In a major follow-up to developments surrounding the future of professional soccer and an exciting entertainment district coming to downtown Oklahoma City, an advisory committee has now been established to help shape a representative vision for the community. The OKC for Soccer Committee, announced last week, includes 33 influential civic, business, sports and cultural leaders from the region.
