ROOM TO HEAR THEIR IDEAS. STAYING COMPETITIVE. THAT’S THE GOAL FOR CENTRAL OKLAHOMA. FROM AEROSPACE TO THE SUCCESS OF THE OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER, OKC ISN’T SLOWING DOWN AND NOW THE CITY IS SETTING THE PACE FOR THE REGION. OKLAHOMA IS WINNING, AND BY INVESTING IN OURSELVES, WE’RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO EXPAND THAT MESSAGE. WHAT’S THE NEXT FRONTIER FOR CENTRAL OKLAHOMA? LEADERS FROM THE TEN COUNTY REGION GATHERED THURSDAY FOR THE THIRD ANNUAL STATE OF THE REGION TO DIVE DEEP INTO THE DATA ON WHAT’S DRIVING CENTRAL OKLAHOMA’S GROWTH AND WHAT NEEDS TO IMPROVE. WHETHER IT’S THE OLYMPICS, WHETHER IT’S EXPANDING TRANSPORTATION OPPORTUNITIES, IT TAKES ALL OF US SMALLER COMMUNITIES HIGHLIGHTED THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING A UNIQUE IDENTITY TO BRING IN TOURISTS. THINGS LIKE GUTHRIE’S HISTORIC DOWNTOWN LANDSCAPE, EDMOND’S PUBLIC ART AND CHICKASHA LEG LAMP. AS OF THIS MORNING, WE HAD EIGHT DIFFERENT INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL WRITERS IN TOWN THANKS TO OKLAHOMA TOURISM, AND THEY’RE DOING STORIES ABOUT THE SILLY LEG LAMP. BUT THAT SILLY LEG LAMP HAS HAD A SERIOUS ECONOMIC IMPACT, AND IT TOOK US BELIEVING WE COULD DO SOMETHING AND THEN DOING IT IN ORDER TO MAKE ANYTHING HAPPEN. BUT THERE ARE CHALLENGES. IF WE LOSE ONE MANUFACTURER THAT HAS ROUGHLY 60 EMPLOYEES, THAT COULD HAVE A MAJOR IMPACT ON OUR COMMUNITY. LEADERS SAY IT’S COLLABORATION ACROSS THE REGION THAT WILL DRIVE THE NEXT DECADE OF GROWTH. THERE’S SO MUCH GROWTH ACROSS SO MANY PLATFORMS
Central Oklahoma leaders discuss growth and challenges at annual State of the Region
Leaders from central Oklahoma gathered to discuss the region’s growth and challenges, emphasizing collaboration and unique community identities.
Updated: 5:13 PM CDT Sep 25, 2025
Leaders from central Oklahoma gathered Thursday for the third annual State of the Region event in Oklahoma City to discuss the area’s growth and future challenges. >> Download the KOCO 5 app | Subscribe to KOCO 5’s YouTube channelThe meeting highlighted the region’s progress in sectors like aerospace and sports, with the Oklahoma City Thunder contributing to the city’s momentum.”Oklahoma is winning and by investing in ourselves, we’re going to continue to expand that message,” said state Rep. Brian Hill, chair of Commerce & Economic Development Oversight in the House of Representatives.Teresa Rose, chair of the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber, spoke of the importance of collective efforts.”Whether it’s the Olympics coming or expanding transportation opportunities, it takes all of us,” Rose said.Smaller communities underscored the significance of having a unique identity to attract tourists, with Guthrie’s historic downtown, Edmond’s public art, and Chickasha’s leg lamp being notable examples. “As of this morning, we had eight different international travel writers in town, thanks to Oklahoma tourism, and they’re doing stories about the silly leg lamp. But that silly leg lamp has had a serious economic impact, and it took us believing we could do something and then doing it to make it happen,” said Jim Cowan from the Chickasha Chamber.Despite the positive outlook, challenges remain. “If we lose one manufacturer that has roughly 60 employees, that could have a major impact on our community,” said Shawnda Rooney from the city of Guthrie.Hill concluded by highlighting the potential for future growth, saying, “There’s so much growth across so many platforms. Kids today have opportunities that we could have only dreamed of before.” Get the latest news stories of interest by clicking here.Leaders agreed that collaboration across the region will be crucial in driving growth over the next decade.Top HeadlinesRyan Walters to resign as Oklahoma state superintendent for private sector jobGet the Facts: What countries recognize a Palestinian state?Ryan Walters joins Teacher Freedom Alliance as its CEO, but what is it?Ryan Walters officially named next CEO of Teacher Freedom AllianceRyan Walters conducts State Board of Education meeting after announcing plan to resign
OKLAHOMA CITY —
Leaders from central Oklahoma gathered Thursday for the third annual State of the Region event in Oklahoma City to discuss the area’s growth and future challenges.
>> Download the KOCO 5 app | Subscribe to KOCO 5’s YouTube channel
The meeting highlighted the region’s progress in sectors like aerospace and sports, with the Oklahoma City Thunder contributing to the city’s momentum.
“Oklahoma is winning and by investing in ourselves, we’re going to continue to expand that message,” said state Rep. Brian Hill, chair of Commerce & Economic Development Oversight in the House of Representatives.
Teresa Rose, chair of the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber, spoke of the importance of collective efforts.
“Whether it’s the Olympics coming or expanding transportation opportunities, it takes all of us,” Rose said.
Smaller communities underscored the significance of having a unique identity to attract tourists, with Guthrie’s historic downtown, Edmond’s public art, and Chickasha’s leg lamp being notable examples.
“As of this morning, we had eight different international travel writers in town, thanks to Oklahoma tourism, and they’re doing stories about the silly leg lamp. But that silly leg lamp has had a serious economic impact, and it took us believing we could do something and then doing it to make it happen,” said Jim Cowan from the Chickasha Chamber.
Despite the positive outlook, challenges remain.
“If we lose one manufacturer that has roughly 60 employees, that could have a major impact on our community,” said Shawnda Rooney from the city of Guthrie.
Hill concluded by highlighting the potential for future growth, saying, “There’s so much growth across so many platforms. Kids today have opportunities that we could have only dreamed of before.”
Get the latest news stories of interest by clicking here.
Leaders agreed that collaboration across the region will be crucial in driving growth over the next decade.
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