News

One look at the Costco parking lot and you can see that retail is an economic driver – from the development and purchase of real estate to job creation and the increase in sales tax revenue. The majority of Oklahoma City’s general operating fund is dependent on sales tax revenue; it’s how we fund core services such as police, fire, street repair, parks and public transit.

A group of hamburger enthusiasts are bringing a small, yet mighty, new concept to the Plaza District.

For the month of March, the unemployment rate in the Oklahoma City MSA fell to 3.0 percent. This represents the 5th-lowest unemployment rate in country among major metros.

Oklahoma City’s retail market continues to experience success, both in recruiting national retail chains to locate in Oklahoma City and in organically producing a distinctive local retail culture. With the goal to further that success—and boost the city’s retail sales tax collections—a delegation from the Chamber and the City of Oklahoma City will attend the International Council of Shopping Centers’ RECon conference May 19-22 to connect with more than 36,000 retailers, business owners and developers in Las Vegas.

On May 16, retail giant Costco will officially open their first store in the Oklahoma City market. The store will be located near Kilpatrick Turnpike and Western Ave., and feature more than 160,000 square feet.

Angry Scotsman Brewing Co.’s new taproom will open at noon Saturday at 704 W. Reno Ave. in Oklahoma City.

When economic success is measured on a national scale, factors such as U.S. gross domestic product, expanding jobs, falling unemployment, and rising stock prices are good indicators of our country’s economic well-being. But there are other factors, such as inclusion and growth, that provide a more in-depth picture of how healthy our economy is.

A new report from the Brookings Metropolitan Policy Program explores the local realities of America’s economic progress, illuminating how metropolitan economies are performing today and over the past decade. Beyond the headlines of the nation’s rising GDP, low unemployment rate and stock market performance, the report finds that truly inclusive economic growth remains rare in metro America.