okc is a winner

It doesn’t take long when looking across Oklahoma City to find development and revitalization in progress. Just last week, the Myriad Botanical Gardens beat out parks in California; Singapore; Washington D.C.; and Chicago to win the Urban Land Institute’s Urban Open Space Award. In July, Boeing broke ground on its new aircraft modernization and sustainment division headquarters. Oklahoma City is transforming into a destination.

The addition of Boeing’s new division headquarters in southeast Oklahoma City signifies the city’s growing relevance in the aerospace industry. Resources such as the 21st Century Quality Jobs Program and the Oklahoma Quick Action Closing Fund offer companies valuable incentives to include Oklahoma in their consideration when looking at expansion and new job creation. The division’s headquarters will create between 800 and 900 jobs, which will stimulate growth in other areas of the city, including residential, commercial and recreational.

Though the news of the Myriad Botanical Gardens’ recent award does not necessarily show economic progress like Boeing’s expansion, it is no less significant as a representation of the world-class features found in Oklahoma City. The Urban Open Space Award was one of two honors the city has received this year from the Urban Land Institute for its creation of vibrant spaces. Devon Energy Corp. earned the Global Award for Excellence in land use for its downtown headquarters. Oklahoma City is becoming a stronger pull for great architecture through the continual efforts of its city government and its many private businesses and organizations.

These acknowledgements and company expansions are proof that Oklahoma City is headed in the right direction – for businesses, travelers and residents alike. These urban spaces are essential for drawing in and retaining creative minds, entrepreneurs and young professionals, who help to energize and revitalize Oklahoma City during its development phase. New corporate facilities also bring about economic development through the extensive resources available to put back into the local economy.

Read the full article here in the October 14th edition of The Journal Record.