ENID, Okla. — Enid has loads going for it with latest bulletins for brand new companies and initiatives and ongoing development and growth of native companies, stated Jon Blankenship, president/CEO of Greater Enid Chamber of Commerce.
Growth and potential
Renew Energy not too long ago broke floor on a wind turbine remanufacturing facility that may convey 45 to 50 full-time jobs to Enid, Blankenship stated, with a possible to develop that quantity to 100.
“Wind development investment has topped $1.5 billion,” he stated. “It’s a major industry that is going to continue to grow, not only in Garfield County but Northwest Oklahoma as well.”
Blankenship stated the Robert M. Greer Center campus development is one other challenge that’s nicely below means.
“… When it’s complete it will be the new venue for care of dually diagnosed clients,” he stated. “That was a big job retention project we got a lot of help from the Legislature on. It was good to see that come to fruition.”
Enid City Commissioners permitted varied gadgets final fall concerning Enid Woodring Regional Airport to assist with varied upgrades to the power.
Blankenship stated the upgrades will proceed to bolster the vital relationship the town and airport has with Vance Air Force Base.
“A second joint-use hangar is planned, a south ramp upgrade, and there’s also going to be increased radar capabilities,” Blankenship stated. “All of those things benefit Enid and the surrounding area. Despite the reconstruction, they’re (VAFB) not going to lose any mission capability.
“There’s a great working relationship between the city and Vance, and that’s just another example.”
Last month noticed the announcement of a brand new producer coming to Enid.
“Bri-Steel Manufacturing just acquired the old GEFCO property,” Blankenship stated. “That’s going to be about 60 to 100 jobs and more jobs down the line.”
The Canadian firm produces seamless metal pipe and plans to provide carbon metal and alloy metal pipes at its newly acquired Enid facility.
“It’s been good to see competition in the communications and fiber market,” Blankenship stated. “New capital investment coming in with companies like Dobson and Bluepeak.”
Blankenship stated development is ongoing within the metropolis’s latest retail space, The District.
“We continued to see ongoing growth in The District,” he stated. “I think there’s likely be some more announcements for that area.”
Other Enid companies are persevering with their development, he stated.
“No Mans Land foods did a major expansion,” he stated. “They continue to add jobs.”
Blankenship stated Enid Regional Development Alliance labored towards bringing these initiatives to fruition.
“Most of those projects are ERDA projects. They were on the lead on that,” he stated. “Everybody is working toward the same goals.”
He additionally praised the work being carried out to revitalize downtown Enid and make it a vacation spot for meals and leisure.
“It’s been great to see the ongoing development for downtown Enid. The downtown area has prospered,” he stated. “It’s great to see that ongoing progress, and I think that’s going to continue.”
Blankenship additionally praised the town’s funding sooner or later with the Kaw Lake Pipeline challenge.
“That’s been an important project. I think the city has done a good job managing that project, as well,” he stated. “It’s important to have a sustainable water supply. It’s crucial to business and industry and residential growth, as well.”
Quality of life
During a particular assembly final month, Enid City Commission permitted the submission of a Recreational Trails Program Grant utility for help in extending the Enid Trail System from Government Springs Park South to five Eighty Bike Park, 1102 E. Rupe. The bike park was designated as a metropolis park on Jan. 5.
“That is a great addition to our parks and our trail system. In general, that serves a niche of our population that are interested in bike trails,” Blankenship stated. “It’s going to be an asset for Enid, and it’s going to have some drawing power. It’s great to see, and it’s going to benefit a lot of people for years to come.”
In early December, an announcement of an economic growth deal to convey a S&Ok Cinema Holdings Group leisure facility was made by metropolis officers, which Blankenship stated can have impacts past the town.
“The theater announcement has been made, and we’re optimistic that’s going to occur,” he stated. “It’s a much needed and great addition our city. We serve this whole northwest quadrant and have a trade area of 200,000 people. It’s a quality of life issued for people in Northwest Oklahoma.”
AMC Theatres at Oakwood Mall closed in December 2021, leaving the closest theaters to Enid because the 89’er Theatre in Kingfisher, Royal Theatre in Fairview, The Hub Entertainment Center in Tonkawa and AMC Stillwater 10.
“Not having a movie theater is huge, and it contributes to retail leakage.” Blankenship stated. “The sales dollars and sales tax need to stay in our market.”
Enid continues to be an space hub for sporting occasions and tournaments in a number of sports activities hosted at a number of venues.
“Work continues on the Advance Soccer complex, and that’s going to be a tremendous asset for Enid and Northwest Oklahoma,” he stated. “We already have the blueprint on how to do it. Look at David Allen Memorial Ballpark.
“We know how to do it, and we know how to make it work. The blueprint is there to do the same thing in soccer.”
He famous Stride Bank Center and Chisholm Trail Coliseum even have hosted sports activities tournaments in basketball and volleyball.
“It’s great,” he stated. “You have them here a few days, they’re spending money in your city for food, entertainment and hotel stays. It’s a great way to have economic benefits.”
Blankenship stated enhancements in alternatives for leisure might help in attracting a sure demographic to Enid.
“Those things make a difference. Quality of life is increasingly important,” he stated. “Enid is well-suited to retain and attract young people. The mostly likely group to move into Northwest Oklahoma are people from Northwest Oklahoma: Those who graduated from Enid High School or regional schools and moved away, established themselves and want to come back. There’s a real opportunity to get those kids back.”
On a mission
Blankenship stated the mission of the Chamber of Commerce is to “promote and enhance the quality of life” for the world it serves.
“The goal is to have a business climate conducive and attractive for economic development. I think Enid continues to make headway in those areas,” he stated. “We are certainly active at the Legislature and governmental level.”
Enid Day on the Capital this yr is March 7, 2023, and Blankenship and others will meet with legislators to debate key subjects.
Some of the subjects embody growing budgets for initiatives within the space and probably eliminating grocery taxes.
“Those things have a relationship with economic development for sure,” Blankenship stated. “I’m sure those will be topics that come with our legislators, as well as a variety of education topics.”
He stated one other vital matter to be addressed is the promise of funds made.
“The Mental Health and Substance Abuse Fund is also going to be a key topic,” he stated. “The Criminal Justice Reform Act was passed under the pretense the savings from that would be given back to the counties, and that has not occurred.
“We need to be investing on the front end to address mental health and substance issue rather than upgrade our jail facilities,” he stated. “It was explicitly stated the money would be used to mental health and substance abuse, and the state needs to be accountable to that.”
Milestone purpose in sight
Blankenship stated retail gross sales for 2022 had been up 2.2% from the earlier yr. He stated that places Enid on observe to succeed in a purpose that would help in future retail for the world.
“The goal that was established several years ago was to be a community with a billion dollars in growth by 2025,” he stated. “We’re on a pace to reach that goal in 2025. It bodes well for future retail.”
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