Working with public and private entities on significant economic development projects, I have the privilege to know many people who work tirelessly behind the spotlight to transform Oklahoma City. It is rewarding when those Oklahoma City champions are recognized. The Downtown Oklahoma City Partnership’s Dean A. McGee awards annually honor three business and civic leaders who make an impact. This year’s honorees are Meg Salyer, president of Accel Financial Staffing; Brent Brya

If you are in or near downtown Oklahoma City you may see the streetcars moving around on the tracks beginning this week – just not filled with passengers, the way they will be in December. That’s because the city is performing required tests of the new streetcar system until November. The testing phase is a good time to become familiar with the safety rules. The streetcars will be operated by drivers, will travel in the same traffic lane as cars and will make frequent, brief

This fall the Oklahoma Brownfields Conference returns to Oklahoma City. This event, known for setting brownfields standards nationwide, is an opportunity for public and private investors and redevelopers to learn more about brownfields, grants and the redevelopment process. Brownfields are underused or abandoned properties with confirmed or possible environmental contaminants that complicate development opportunities. Often the sites sit on old industrial or commercial facili

This is National Economic Development Week, an initiative of the International Economic Development Council to increase awareness of local programs that create jobs and increase quality of life. The Alliance for Economic Development of Oklahoma City was formed in 2011 to better coordinate and streamline the economic development process in Oklahoma City. In addition to managing several entities including the Oklahoma City Urban Renewal Authority and Oklahoma City Redevelopment

We have several significant development projects being constructed downtown that are causing disruption – a change in venue, routes or routine – but as we have seen with past projects, the transformation is worth the temporary inconveniences. The most visible disruption right now is with the construction of the rail line for the new Oklahoma City streetcar system. The 4.6-mile modern streetcar system will have 22 stops linking major employers, businesses, attractions, residen