GOV. BRAD HENRY
EDMOND — These are challenging economic times across the country, and Oklahoma is no exception. Still, two recent reports show that our state has weathered the economic storm better than most, and give Oklahomans great hope for the future.
This month, Fortune magazine and CNN/Money.com ranked Oklahoma City as the best large city in which to start a new business. The report cited Oklahoma City’s favorable tax climate, affordable rents and low foreclosure rate.
That ranking comes on the heels of a report from Business Facilities magazine that ranked Tulsa No. 1 in cost of living and No. 2 in quality of life for cities with more than 500,000 residents. That magazine targets the site consultants, entrepreneurs and business executives who decide where to locate and expand businesses.
These rankings aren’t just good news for the state’s urban centers, they are good news for all of Oklahoma. Economic growth in metro areas is a boon for surrounding rural communities, and the same benefits found in Oklahoma City and Tulsa — a low cost of living, a favorable tax structure and a dedicated workforce — apply to the whole state.
Oklahoma’s star is rising. That fact is evident not only in reports and rankings, but in the announcement early this month that Tulsa soon will be home to a WNBA team that will play in the world-class BOK Center. The announcement came just as Oklahoma City readies for a second season of NBA action with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Our state has much to offer in affordable living and a tremendous quality of life. There truly is no better place to live, work and raise a family. That’s a fact that Oklahomans long have known, and the rest of the nation is starting to learn.
GOV. BRAD HENRY may be reached via his Web site at www.governor.ok.gov.
