Tulsa, Broken Arrow chambers collaborate to create regional economic growth

4.12.2011
The two organizations extend invitation to other area chambers to join efforts.

The Tulsa Metro Chamber and Broken Arrow Chamber of Commerce signed a commitment to regional economic growth at a special ceremony held today in Broken Arrow. The compact includes cooperation on both economic development and legislative initiatives and was created to leverage the region’s industry concentrations, labor pools, infrastructure and pro-business government in order to compete globally for a talented workforce, capital investment and new jobs.

“The Broken Arrow Chamber is excited to partner with the Tulsa Metro Chamber on this historic compact,” said Wes Smithwick, president and CEO of the Broken Arrow Chamber. “As the largest suburb of Tulsa, Broken Arrow should – and will – be a leader in the growth and development of our metropolitan area.”

Today’s global marketplace is creating an environment where regions must be proactive or else fall behind.

“It’s a regional game now,” said Mike Neal, president and CEO of the Tulsa Metro Chamber. “It is absolutely essential the Tulsa region works more aggressively than other communities, and we must do so to strengthen our economy and, ultimately, our quality of life.”

The compact signed by both chambers’ presidents and 2011 chairpersons outlines how the organizations will work together, including cooperatively marketing the region; creating an inclusive community for businesses and individuals; attracting and retaining business; raising the educational attainment level of the region’s citizens; and advocating for the OneVoice regional legislative agenda.

“Both chambers recognize that while we may compete for some projects, the attraction, the expansion and the retention of a business to any location in the region is a win for all of us,” said LaTonya Cundiff, chairperson of the Broken Arrow Chamber of Commerce and branch executive, VP for SpiritBank.

The compact between the Tulsa and Broken Arrow chambers is, hopefully, the first of many in this mission to strengthen the region, Smithwick and Neal said.

Despite the national recession, the Tulsa region has maintained an unemployment rate below the national average, a stable housing market and strong financial institutions. Economists forecast the region will emerge faster than its competitors, providing ample opportunity for the region, working collaboratively, to build on its success.

“We have to work harder and be smarter in our approach to economic growth and prosperity,” said Dr. Gerard Clancy, chair of the Tulsa Metro Chamber and president of The University of Oklahoma – Tulsa. “But we simply cannot tap the enormous potential of the Tulsa region without pooling our assets and resources. It takes all of us working together to better the Northeast Oklahoma region.”


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