You may have noticed on your evening news that there are pockets of America that are growing exponentially even as our national economy slowly inches forward. The "Economic Hot Spots" typically mentioned are North Dakota and West Texas. They have robust economies, low unemployment, and long lines at the grocery store. Their streets are full and their sales tax numbers are off the charts.

I will submit to you that Northwest Oklahoma needs to be added to this short and distinguished list of Hotspots. Our corner of Oklahoma can boast these same types of statistics, and we would like to make sure those who are interested in economic opportunities are aware of it.

Like North Dakota and Texas, Northwest Oklahoma has jobs in the oil and gas industry. We have drillers, truck drivers and service jobs as well as office managers, engineers, and technicians. These are good paying jobs with great benefits that are growing in number every day. In response to this job growth, our community formed a partnership with Monster.com to announce these positions to the rest of the world. You can contact our office to learn more. You can also find Enid jobs on the well organized Oklahoma Department of Commerce website, OKJobMatch.com.

Oklahoma is now second on the list of states with the most active drilling rigs with 175. North Dakota is third and Colorado is a distant fourth. Texas still has a larger oil and gas industry than Oklahoma, but they also have a larger land mass in which to drill. Energy is helping us grow...but it isn't the only reason.

Enid has something that the other Hotspots don't, significant growth in a variety of industries. Food production, renewable energy, manufacturing, and grain handling are also growth areas for us. In 2014, Enid will have $1.4 billion in ground breakings for new businesses coming to town...none of which are related to oil and gas production. That's a big number even if you write checks in Washington, DC...

So America, if you are interested in economic opportunity, willing to work hard, willing pull your own weight, contribute to your community, cheer for the Thunder, and pass a drug test, we welcome you to American's Newest Economic Hotspot. You can learn more at www.growenid.com.

Brent Kisling

Executive Director

Retails Sales Surge in Enid

Retail sales in Enid surged in late-November and early December, based on January tax distributions to cities and towns from Oklahoma Tax Commission. Net taxable sales in Enid during the period of late November and early December were up $8,608,000, compared with the same period in 2012. According to OTC figures, net taxable sales in Enid during the period were 11.7 percent above sales during the same period in 2012. Enid received $2,885,118 from OTC, an increase of $301,280 from last year's receipts.City Manager Eric Benson said the continued growth in sales is encouraging. Read more...

Hope Floats for Water Conservation: Remote-control boats may help management in oil field

Mike Howdeshell is working to improve water management in the oil and gas industry. He's starting with what looks like a children's toy. The vice president of fluidity and water solutions for Houston-based Select Energy Services said water is just as important a natural resource as oil and gas. In order to serve drillers, Howdeshell's team uses a remote-controlled boat to measure and manage water in a system called AquaView. Read more...

Oil boom, housing blues: Western Oklahoma needs homes, but builders face challenges

The oil boom in western Oklahoma, as well as the growth of other industries, has increased the number of available jobs. It has also decreased the number of available homes. Several cities in the region are facing a housing drought, including Alva and Cherokee. "We are definitely in need of housing," said Alex Mantz, director of the Alva Chamber of Commerce. "We've got a lot of people that are moving back to take advantage of the new jobs, so we're in need of homes." Alva has seen demand increase because of the energy industry, but the city is also home to Northwestern Oklahoma State University, a four-year Division II school. State Rep. Jeff Hickman, R-Fairview, represents the area and has seen the need for housing grow. It was an issue before I was elected," Hickman said. "It's one I've been working on in the nine years I've been in office. Read more...

Busy opening for TJ MAXX

There were 100 people waiting in line Sunday morning in front of T.J. Maxx, so the store's long-awaited opening started a little bit early. Store Manager Danny Hamby couldn't give an accurate number of how many people had come through the store by Sunday afternoon, but estimated more than 2,000. "We had a pretty mad rush and opened a little early. We didn't want (people) to stand outside, and we were ready, so we opened," Hamby said.

Hamby opened the Homeland store in the same location in 1990. "I've come full circle," he said. The store featured a DJ playing music, Shrine clowns entertaining the customers and regular drawings for gift cards. Hamby said sales were "very good." "Enid came out - they always do," he said. Read more...

Enid Development is the Biggest Housing News since the Housing Study

The front page of the newspaper showcased Enid's tremendous growth. And all of the economic development isn't based solely on the oil and gas industry. One article explained how the city of Enid and surrounding area is entering a growth period, which will keep consumer spending strong and increase local sales tax collections for the next few years. Read more...

40 New Homes Planned

An Oklahoma City-based homebuilder with experience in Enid is planning to start a large housing development near the Brookside addition. Terry Carty, with Carland Group LLC, confirmed Tuesday he has plans for the $7 million development, which is being called Forest Ridge Heights. He filed a public notice earlier this month indicating he will seek a tax credit through Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency. So far, the neighborhood still only exists on paper, but Carty has made progress toward breaking ground. "We've got a site plan. We've got site control on the land," he said, adding he will find out in May whether the tax credit is awarded. "We're very optimistic about it." Carty said the tax credit is essential to begin construction. Read more...

Top Technology Center

Autry Technology Center is ranked the state's top technology center by the Journal Record for the third consecutive year. The ranking was based on information provided by Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education and used enrollment data from the 2012-13 school year. Data used included full-time classes, adult and career development and business and industry; fiscal year 2012 budget; adult tuition cost per class hour; number of employees; and positive placement results. Read more...