The annual Dean A. McGee Awards are a time to recognize outstanding leaders in our community – people who have made a significant and lasting impact on Oklahoma City. With the awards named after Oklahoma business leader Dean A. McGee, who championed the downtown development of Oklahoma City, this year’s honorees are Marva Ellard, a real estate developer; Debi Martin, City Council chief of staff; and Rand Elliott, principal of Rand Elliott Architects. I have worked with each o

It makes sense to look at our state’s tourism and recreation business through the lens of economic development. After all, in 2019, travel spending in Oklahoma was $9.7 billion, according to the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department. That makes it one of the highest-grossing industries in our state. It also makes sense to take note when best and brightest are advocates for the industry. Congratulations to our Alliance project manager Elizabeth Larios on her recent confir

ULI Oklahoma hosted a celebration to recognize some of the most impactful economic development projects that have skillfully balanced new development, sustainable land use and intelligent urbanization. The Impact Awards honored winners in seven categories, visionaries who see a better use for an empty lot, use development to meet key needs in our community and ensure development or restoration creates more vibrant neighborhoods. Accepting the award for developing the Homeland

The Henrietta B. Foster Center is slated for $15 million in MAPS 4 renovations to create a small business support center within the Innovation District to accelerate small business growth and improve economic mobility. Last week, the MAPS 4 Oversight Committee approved an operating agreement with a consortium of local community groups that will operate the center. Metro Technology Centers, Northeast OKC Renaissance Inc., the Small Business Development Center and Progress OKC

April 20 marked a milestone for housing in northeast Oklahoma City, with 19 new housing development projects approved that day by the Oklahoma City Urban Renewal Authority. The homes will be built on vacant lots owned by OCURA, concentrated between N. Lottie and MLK Avenue and between NE Eighth and 16th. The development projects represent substantial investment in new residential developments and are some of the most recent projects approved for land owned by OCURA in the are