I get accused of only sharing the rainbow and butterfly stories about Enid.  This month, I am pulling back the scab to highlight the biggest negative economic development story in the Enid region this year.

No...it's not the Mississippian Lime Oil play.  It is still going strong.

No...it's not our legacy companies in Enid.  They are still hiring as fast as they can find people.

No...it's not something with Vance Air Force Base.  Operations are still strong there and growing.

The biggest negative economic impact on Enid lately is the DROUGHT.

Even as you are reading this newsletter, farmers in the area are beginning to test cut their wheat and canola...if they have any left.  The drought has had a devastating effect on agricultural production this year.  The USDA is estimating that the state of Oklahoma may only produce 67 million bushels of wheat this year instead of the usual 110-120 million bushels we've come to expect.  And to be honest with you, the hardest hit area of the state is the area that Enid considers its primary trade area. 

But the harvest doesn't only effect farmers. 

Enid has more dry grain storage capacity than any other city in America.  When farmers don't harvest crops, those elevators aren't full.  Elevator operators make their money by storing grain and when they don't make money, they don't spend it in the stores in Enid.

Some people have asked me why our sales tax revenues in Enid have leveled off from the three year explosion we have had.  I can honestly say that it is not because of oil or manufacturing companies or pilot training.  It is from a lack of rain and a perceived poor harvest that is staring us in the face this month.

Bottom line...if you want to impact the local economy this summer, please get on your knees and pray to God for the skies to open up. 

Executive Director