As I've stated before, OKC has been charting its own course with a lot of success.

Missing out on big manufacturing opportunities has a much bigger impact on Tulsa and rural areas because they don't have a lot of momentum around economic development. Those areas also lack the massive economic engines of the State and Tinker that bless Central Oklahoma.

As much as I'd like to see the state become more competitive, if Oklahomans keep electing rednecks, grifters, and culture warriors then they'll continue to get exactly what they deserve.

It all starts with the Governor and Stitt has shown he can’t get it done and creates division, especially with the tribes. I know OKC doesn’t want to lose him as mayor but David Holt would be a good option that potentially could help with how state government is portrayed nationally

It all starts with the Governor and Stitt has shown he can’t get it done and creates division, especially with the tribes. I know OKC doesn’t want to lose him as mayor but David Holt would be a good option that potentially could help with how state government is portrayed nationally

A governor is term-limited to two 4-year terms.

Holt isn't running in the next election so we'll either get Stitt again or Joy Hoffmeister.

No disrespect, but you have no idea about any of this.

Voters deserve to know the facts and have a qualified, unbiased analysis of what we need to change to improve our track record.

All we're getting now is the typical political spin and lots of uninformed opinions.

Off the top of my head and for starters how about :

1) better education system that teaches what businesses want to see in hires
1a) better teacher pay and a statewide MAPS-for-schools program for replacing old facilities and purchase of quality teaching tools.
1b) focus on high-quality teaching basics and get out of the business of trying to socially engineer children
2) money invested in less risky, Panasonic/Tesla type prospects
3) preparing large swaths of land with utilities and rail for immediate use by industrial prospects,
4) clear off unused or underused swaths of land (such as Crossroads mall) and aggressively recruit new, large-scale tenants,
5) eliminate the state corporate income tax and educate people that corporations simply pass this tax through as an expense to consumers. Why would any business locate to OK when they can simply go to Texas and increase their profit margin 6%?
6) lose the anti-big business mentality and accept that big businesses employ big numbers of people and pay big salaries,
7) get MUCH more aggressive at going out and actually visiting desirable businesses or trade groups to get the word out Oklahoma is being greatly overlooked as a desirable place to locate operations.
8) invest in a state highway 3 northwest-to-southeast non-stop corridor to attract trucking and vacationers to the state since there are few alternatives in that direction nationally.
9) recruit highly aggressive, highly successful, dynamic business people for our political leadership instead of (no offense meant to anyone in these fields) lawyers, small business owners and those with only oil & gas backgrounds.
10) continue and increase investing in pay-as-you-go self-improvement projects like MAPS that are proven winners and proven attractors of outside investment

https://tulsaworld.com/news/local/state-laws-on-abortion-transgender-issues-have-companies-balking-on-coming-to-oklahoma-development-official/article_a2e516de-039f-11ed-b3a8-a7c7ba3a8b66.html

https://www.cnbc.com/2022/07/13/americas-top-states-for-business-2022-the-full-rankings.html (we're #38)

And incidentally, might as well mention this - https://www.cnbc.com/2022/07/14/these-10-states-are-americas-worst-places-to-live-in-2022.html

the first link, the tulsa world link is what I suggested about panasonic and I posted a link and my comment was removed

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/11/us/politics/abortion-ban-states-businesses.html

Bleak. Worst I've felt about Tulsa and the state's prospects in a long time. I thought Tulsa was on the brink of something big happening for once, another strikeout. Not sure how long it is till I start seriously looking to move to another state. OKC at least has some consistent momentum.

To be fair, it isn't like this was going in downtown Tulsa or in Tulsa at all. It would've been in Pryor which would be like saying OKC struck out and languishing over something that decided not to build in Shawnee or somewhere between Purcell and Pauls Valley, between Guthrie and Stillwater or between El Reno and Weatherford. It definitely would've been great for Tulsa and the NE part of the state, but it's extremely dramatic to act like this is specifically some poor reflection of Tulsa or Tulsa's fault.

It is however, absolutely a poor reflection of where our state is right now. That would've been a perfect location between access to the port, cheap electricity, closer to Tesla, etc. No good logistical reason they should've chosen Kansas over NE OK

It still begs a bunch of questions that need answers: Why were we so late? Why did we bother if we knew we couldn't match their package? Why did we put together a package that wasn't competitive? What are we going to do differently to have a fighting chance of winning these competitions in the future?

This is my biggest question. What TF are they even doing down there if we aren't getting ahead of the game on stuff like this?

I don't think anyone here is naive enough to believe our personal politics don't get in the way, at least a little:















I decided to stop before going another page because my point is beyond proven.
You (Pete) made a great post (#144, I think) that is mostly encouraging and the mindset all of us need to have: WTF happened and what can we do to avoid or put ourselves in a better position for the next one? Dang, we missed these last two, but let's go for a third and try smarter, harder, etc. all around.
Some of you will no doubt come back to the political aspect as the comments above prove unequivocally. And while there is an element there that can't be ignored, we need to remember one important thing: these companies couldn't care less about politics as a whole. They'll grandstand a little here and there but remember that most of them will gladly put certain profile pics and colors on their social media accounts during certain days or months in some countries while not for others.
They play games and don't really care too much about Bible thumping rednecks as the comments above are laced with when reading between the lines. They care about bottom lines and handouts. KS is probably cheaper because there's less there than here and KS also doubled our offer.

What if it's as simple as that? If it is, then my questions in my original post need answering: what are the definitions and where do we draw the line for corporate handouts? Make no mistake, that's what won this at the end of the day and if I had to guess, Panasonic set themselves up to "win" long term while the politicians in KS are holding up victory signs.
I want good jobs here in OK as well. There probably isn't one person on this forum that doesn't.

Great post!

Unfortunately, politics plays into corporate decisions more and more but keep in mind, Kansas has just as much religious-right influence as OK and will likely have abortion controls. Texas already has stringent controls and has not missed a business beat.

When it comes to distribution centers, manufacturing products, etc., high levels of education generally aren't necessary. As for available workforce and OK's low ranking, it comes from our low unemployment rate. But if a Panasonic or Tesla were to locate in OK, the workforce would easily be available, either from migration or from people leaving their McDonalds jobs and learning how to use a forklift, unload trailers or operate a robot - all of which even educated people need to be trained how to operate.

IMO, I believe it is the fact that a company will automatically think of Texas when looking to the mid part of the country and not even consider Oklahoma. OK simply must invest the funds to have a business development office to proactively go out and recruit possible employers and not wait around for employers to come to OK to inquire.

I like this quote “You can call it a failure and let it discourage you- Or you can call it experience and let it teach you.” Need to step back and find the next opportunity

McDonald's jobs. Are you a serious human being?

I like this quote “You can call it a failure and let it discourage you- Or you can call it experience and let it teach you.” Need to step back and find the next opportunity

The Powers that Be said the Tesla 'experience' would help us the next time around.

I no longer trust them.

Semiconductors are vital to almost every product and business these days.

We're seen the strong effect of constrained production over the last couple of years, and it's beyond the control of the U.S. as we produce only about 12% of the global market, down from 37% just 20 years ago.

Yes and imagine what will happen if China invades Taiwan? It's almost a matter of national security at this point. Really hope OK can find a way to capitalize on it.

As I've stated before, OKC has been charting its own course with a lot of success.

Missing out on big manufacturing opportunities has a much bigger impact on Tulsa and rural areas because they don't have a lot of momentum around economic development. Those areas also lack the massive economic engines of the State and Tinker that bless Central Oklahoma.

As much as I'd like to see the state become more competitive, if Oklahomans keep electing rednecks, grifters, and culture warriors then they'll continue to get exactly what they deserve.
This is spot on.

Coincidentally I just saw this article and it doesn’t surprise me: https://kfor.com/news/local/cnbc-oklahoma-one-of-3-worst-states-to-live-also-ranks-low-for-business/

McDonald's jobs. Are you a serious human being?

Quite serious. What is your problem?

Re-reading that Panasonic release, this struck me:



Could it be that Oklahoma is so tied up in fossil fuels that companies built around renewal energy question the state's ongoing commitment to their industry?

Just something to think about.

LOL. Well considering that they were going to put the plant in a spot that runs primarily on Hydroelectric, Wind and Natural Gas as a back up...that just sounds like posturing.

Ever notice that almost everything Oklahoma "wins" never pans out long term? Auto, Printing, GE etc?

https://monophy.com/media/RKRqMvwdQgOiWLsIkD/monophy.gif

https://monophy.com/media/RKRqMvwdQgOiWLsIkD/monophy.gif

LOL! You would think after years of having this pointed out to him, he would figure it out.

LOL! You would think after years of having this pointed out to him, he would figure it out.

LOL...

Oh well, guess we'll just go screw ourselves then

https://c.tenor.com/538qM32lhKcAAAAd/eeyore-winnie-the-pooh.gif
https://gfycat.com/realisticwidebrocketdeer

To be fair, it isn't like this was going in downtown Tulsa or in Tulsa at all. It would've been in Pryor which would be like saying OKC struck out and languishing over something that decided not to build in Shawnee or somewhere between Purcell and Pauls Valley, between Guthrie and Stillwater or between El Reno and Weatherford. It definitely would've been great for Tulsa and the NE part of the state, but it's extremely dramatic to act like this is specifically some poor reflection of Tulsa or Tulsa's fault.

It is however, absolutely a poor reflection of where our state is right now. That would've been a perfect location between access to the port, cheap electricity, closer to Tesla, etc. No good logistical reason they should've chosen Kansas over NE OK

You're right, after stepping away from it for a few days. Bit of an overreaction on my part lol. Still disappointed.

Coincidentally I just saw this article and it doesn’t surprise me: https://kfor.com/news/local/cnbc-oklahoma-one-of-3-worst-states-to-live-also-ranks-low-for-business/

I saw that but they missed the mark. You really have to look at economic development as a region. The state does bring funding to the table on some projects but the region coming together is where the rubber meets the road. Oklahoma City as well as the ten county region have done a great job of working with the consultants and site selectors who start the ball rolling on economic development projects. Their bringing higher ed and the career techs together to form a compact so that for the first time ever we know what skill sets are coming out of the pipeline. Working with companies to crank out the skill sets they need for now and the future. Improving infrastructure and making this region a desirable place to live. The state does not do this. When you look at the state as a whole it does not give you this picture but when you focus in on the region it comes to light. It is a reflection of leadership, vision and funding this regions has.

https://tulsaworld.com/news/local/state-laws-on-abortion-transgender-issues-have-companies-balking-on-coming-to-oklahoma-development-official/article_a2e516de-039f-11ed-b3a8-a7c7ba3a8b66.html

https://www.cnbc.com/2022/07/13/americas-top-states-for-business-2022-the-full-rankings.html (we're #38)

And incidentally, might as well mention this - https://www.cnbc.com/2022/07/14/these-10-states-are-americas-worst-places-to-live-in-2022.html

LOL, I don't get much value from the top ten worst states to live in because half of them, such as Texas, are doing quite well, economically. Life is how you make it. If you're not making it, it must be time to move out of those states, if there. Too many people not doing well and not doing anything about it drives down the quality-of-life statistics in those states.

Otherwise, Oklahomans badly need to let go of voting for Republicans in Nov. They have well proven that they actually want anti-abortion laws as draconian or worse as those found in backward third world countries, such as Iraq. Republicans have actually said they don't mind Oklahoma losing economically from having such laws. Rumor at the state capitol even has it that they want to ban sales of birth control except for married women.

Coincidentally I just saw this article and it doesn’t surprise me: https://kfor.com/news/local/cnbc-oklahoma-one-of-3-worst-states-to-live-also-ranks-low-for-business/

It would help raise the Oklahoma standard of living by raising the state minimum wage from $7.25. In Arkansas it's $11. But Oklahomans for years have been more interested in petitioning to get pot legalized. Oh, well, tax revenue from legalizing rec pot would probably help clear the way to get rid of tax on food. Doing that would also help raise the standard of living.

Yes and imagine what will happen if China invades Taiwan? It's almost a matter of national security at this point. Really hope OK can find a way to capitalize on it.

China will not invade Taiwan and the US would never risk a war with China

The US government recognizes Taiwan as part of China

It would help raise the Oklahoma standard of living by raising the state minimum wage from $7.25. In Arkansas it's $11. But Oklahomans for years have been more interested in petitioning to get pot legalized. Oh, well, tax revenue from legalizing rec pot would probably help clear the way to get rid of tax on food. Doing that would also help raise the standard of living.

How about $20 an hour minimum wage? It’s 2022 and $20 an hour is what the minimum wage would be at it if it kept up with workers productivity and inflation

$41k a year is not a ton of money and after taxes you are in the upper $30k range

Small local companies should get subsidies and huge corporations should contribute to those subsidies but we live in a kleptocracy

I saw that but they missed the mark. You really have to look at economic development as a region. The state does bring funding to the table on some projects but the region coming together is where the rubber meets the road. Oklahoma City as well as the ten county region have done a great job of working with the consultants and site selectors who start the ball rolling on economic development projects. Their bringing higher ed and the career techs together to form a compact so that for the first time ever we know what skill sets are coming out of the pipeline. Working with companies to crank out the skill sets they need for now and the future. Improving infrastructure and making this region a desirable place to live. The state does not do this. When you look at the state as a whole it does not give you this picture but when you focus in on the region it comes to light. It is a reflection of leadership, vision and funding this regions has.

OKC has to fight against the negative perceptions of the state. I agree there is good work being done, and has been done. But imagine how much better we would be doing if we weren't having to push a boulder uphill.

It doesn't help us that our governor has an obvious preference for steering everything toward Tulsa and is openly hostile to OKC, as he is the tribes. Of course, despite this, he hasn't been successful at helping Tulsa or really any region of the state. He is more interested in PR and pumping ideology than getting anything done.

I was hopeful he would actually be a pragmatic leader who would do what he can to improve the state but that isn't the case obviously.

https://okpolicy.org/if-oklahoma-wants-to-draw-businesses-we-might-need-to-invest-in-our-people-capitol-update/

https://okpolicy.org/if-oklahoma-wants-to-draw-businesses-we-might-need-to-invest-in-our-people-capitol-update/

Very reasonable response. Hopefully this spurs some change because the status quo isn't working.

China will not invade Taiwan and the US would never risk a war with China

The US government recognizes Taiwan as part of China

Having family from this area, I can speak with a bit of clarity here. The US does NOT recognize Taiwan as part of China, instead, they recognize that there is One China and it is the PRC. And they 'respect' that China claims Taiwan. This is not an acceptance and the US does not refer to Taiwan as a province of the PRC. In fact, the US has the Taiwan Relations Act and several others, that dictate relations for Taiwan and it's defense against the PRC. This piece is becoming more clearly defined given the PRCs "agression" but the truth is they're a paper tiger so the US can maintain status quo by being ambiguous up to now.

I can keep going on about this but truth is Taiwan was never part of the PRC, which didn't exist when the US forced Japan to give up Taiwan. Just like Hong Kong was not part of the PRC either - that agreement was with the Qing Dynasty just like the Taiwan concession was with the Kuomingtang - Republic of China, who ended up relocating to the island.

So to correct your statement, "China will not invade Taiwan, and the US would never WANT a war with China at the moment, the US government recognizes the PRC as China and Taiwan as the Republic of China". This is also proven by action.

OKC has to fight against the negative perceptions of the state. I agree there is good work being done, and has been done. But imagine how much better we would be doing if we weren't having to push a boulder uphill.

It doesn't help us that our governor has an obvious preference for steering everything toward Tulsa and is openly hostile to OKC, as he is the tribes. Of course, despite this, he hasn't been successful at helping Tulsa or really any region of the state. He is more interested in PR and pumping ideology than getting anything done.

I was hopeful he would actually be a pragmatic leader who would do what he can to improve the state but that isn't the case obviously.

I found it amusing that he pushed the Oklahoma Film office to Tulsa. 99% of Tulsa King is being produced in OKC. Prairie surf is here and doing a ton of projects. They are driving the opening of an OK Film office in OKC.

The US government recognizes Taiwan as part of China

this is not remotely so black and white ..

Stitt has pushed MOST things to the Tulsa area. Not saying they shouldn't get any love but Oklahoma City is the state capital and the largest city by far, and Stitt is largely ignoring it in favor of his hometown.

He should promote the strengths of Oklahoma: in this case, OKC is the burgeoning film center of the state so OKC should be getting that love; Tulsa is more manufacturing so I had no problem with the Canoo, Panasonic, etc promos. Although it is my opinion that had Oklahoma promoted OKC for the location it would have won. If we want to compete and WIN against other states, OKC is our best chance on most sectors.

Stitt has pushed MOST things to the Tulsa area. Not saying they shouldn't get any love but Oklahoma City is the state capital and the largest city by far, and Stitt is largely ignoring it in favor of his hometown.

He should promote the strengths of Oklahoma: in this case, OKC is the burgeoning film center of the state so OKC should be getting that love; Tulsa is more manufacturing so I had no problem with the Canoo, Panasonic, etc promos. Although it is my opinion that had Oklahoma promoted OKC for the location it would have won. If we want to compete and WIN against other states, OKC is our best chance on most sectors.

Oklahoma City has a lot of momentum for a number of reasons already. If Stitt were successful in getting even one or two big employers into the Tulsa area, it would help the Tulsa area get the momentum it needs. So, I really don't mind Stitt trying to get movement there. But like I mentioned in another thread, I'd like to see OKC, Tulsa, Woodward, Enid, Lawton, and Ardmore all have growth momentum.

Ralph Nader's recent podcast was interesting where he interviewed a guest who is an expert on government given incentives. He said, "We have to back up and remember that we should never assume these things “work.” And I put the word “work” in quotes because the truth is— and people who make their living helping companies shake down governments will admit this if you ask them— incentives almost never determine where companies actually choose to expand or locate. They don’t, because they can’t, because state and local taxes are a microscopic cost variable for the average company." The interview can be heard here starting at the 34 minute mark: https://www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/?
powerpress_pinw=6304-podcast (https://www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/?powerpress_pinw=6304-podcast)

The Kansas City start did an article on Panasonic. It said Kansas City's much bigger work force than Tulsa's was in part. It also said the project was almost canceled, due to inflation: https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article263445783.html

The Kansas City start did an article on Panasonic. It said Kansas City's much bigger work force than Tulsa's was in part. It also said the project was almost canceled, due to inflation: https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article263445783.html

Ford is building two massive EV and battery factories in rural parts of Kentucky and Tennessee. Pryor is in between Tulsa and NWA which has a combined population of 1.7M with another ~300k within a two hour drive in eastern Oklahoma, the highest population density in the state

https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/quality-counts-2021-educational-opportunities-and-performance-in-oklahoma/2021/01

Using this to go to North Carolina, I no longer think education matters. They are barely, and I mean BARELY higher than Oklahoma.

https://www.urban.org/policy-centers/cross-center-initiatives/state-and-local-finance-initiative/state-and-local-backgrounders/higher-education-expenditures

Using the above, Oklahoma is above many other states that have been getting these uber-manufacturing projects. I think that it has a ton to do with tax incentives just not being structured well-enough. Most states getting these projects couldn't care less about social issues (Oklahoma has legal weed, where as Texas, Kansas, Kentucky, and North Carolina don't). Not like they are more progressive on any more issues than Oklahoma is.

Point being, I think Oklahoma just needs to look at how they structure their taxes, and somehow change their perception. Because aside from secondary education, they are very, very competitive with most states getting thee large projects. And even more so when it comes to higher education spending.

https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/quality-counts-2021-educational-opportunities-and-performance-in-oklahoma/2021/01

Using this to go to North Carolina, I no longer think education matters. They are barely, and I mean BARELY higher than Oklahoma.

https://www.urban.org/policy-centers/cross-center-initiatives/state-and-local-finance-initiative/state-and-local-backgrounders/higher-education-expenditures

Using the above, Oklahoma is above many other states that have been getting these uber-manufacturing projects. I think that it has a ton to do with tax incentives just not being structured well-enough. Most states getting these projects couldn't care less about social issues (Oklahoma has legal weed, where as Texas, Kansas, Kentucky, and North Carolina don't). Not like they are more progressive on any more issues than Oklahoma is.

Point being, I think Oklahoma just needs to look at how they structure their taxes, and somehow change their perception. Because aside from secondary education, they are very, very competitive with most states getting thee large projects. And even more so when it comes to higher education spending.

Yeah I definitely don’t think it would hurt for the state to look deeper into this and evaluate everything that led to them choosing Kansas over OK, but I would put a lot of money on the financial considerations being the primary driver in their decision. I’ve talked to multiple people who deal with things like this on a daily basis, one being the head of government affairs for OK for a national company with a huge presence here (who wouldn’t have any reason to spin some story for the state) , all said they thought and had heard that it all came down to KS giving them 30-40% more in incentives.

As I said, by all means we should evaluate what went wrong here so that we can make the moves necessary to win next time but we also shouldn’t wallow in despair and over think it. It wasn’t like KS just threw $500 on top of our offer and that sent the deal over the edge. They offered significantly more money to a multinational company that likely saw the two locations and two states as extremely similar so they took the better incentive package.

Or maybe Panasonic already decided it would be Kansas and wanted to see if Kansas would offer more incentive than Oklahoma. It apparently did. Maybe Oklahoma had a claw back in the contract while Kansas didn't. So, if Panasonic could only get up to 2000, rather than 4000 jobs, it would have to give back half of the incentives to Kansas.

Oklahoma will have to decide fate of $698 million set aside for failed Panasonic deal
https://www.stwnewspress.com/oklahoma/oklahoma-will-have-to-decide-fate-of-698-million-set-aside-for-failed-panasonic-deal/article_bbde6e80-0c8b-5420-8314-8912b9ca1b65.html

‘Shocking.’ Kansas secures no jobs or pay commitments in Panasonic’s $4B battery plant (https://www.kansascity.com/news/business/development/article263690018.html)


There’s no question that the numbers were significant when Panasonic announced it would invest some $4 billion and create 4,000 jobs at a new battery plant in De Soto. Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly said the investment was the largest in state history. And if Panasonic were to hire 4,000 workers, it would become one of the largest employers in the Kansas City metro area. But that’s a big if. The state’s agreement with Panasonic doesn’t require the company to create 4,000 jobs — or any jobs at all. Nor does it create minimum wage or salary standards for the firm — a crucial component of many economic development packages.

Turns out the big thing our Panasonic deal was missing was the complete lack of accountability that the Kansas version had.

Yeah, the KS deal is crazy. I feel slightly better now that I've actually looked at what both states were offering and it makes somewhat more sense that they chose KS even though I'm sure there are plenty of factors about OK that still need to be addressed. The thing is, as loose as the KS deal is, they'll still probably come out ahead anyway. Panasonic is going to create a large number of high paying jobs, even if it ends up being less than 4,000. There will likely be other supporting firms and suppliers that move in around Panasonic and they'll make themselves more attractive to other companies.

Hopefully leaders are eyeing this bill and potential developments that might come from it can be lured to the state: https://www.route-fifty.com/infrastructure/2022/07/senate-poised-pass-54b-bill-expand-us-semiconductor-production/374970/

Hopefully leaders are eyeing this bill and potential developments that might come from it can be lured to the state: https://www.route-fifty.com/infrastructure/2022/07/senate-poised-pass-54b-bill-expand-us-semiconductor-production/374970/

Due to their fiscal conservatism policy, I wouldn't trust Oklahomans in Congress to want to direct federal semi-conductor incentive money to Oklahoma. Sen. Inhofe might be an exception to that, but he doesn't have much time left. Can anybody think of anything Sen. Lankford has done for Oklahoma as far as directing federal money to Oklahoma, such as improve the infrastructure? I can't. Or what the reps have done.

Republican candidates for Congress ought to be asked what they want to do to direct federal funds to Oklahoma to help with its infrastructure, economic development or whatever. If they don't want to do anything, then they might as well advocate for federal income tax cuts.

Oklahoma will have to decide fate of $698 million set aside for failed Panasonic deal
https://www.stwnewspress.com/oklahoma/oklahoma-will-have-to-decide-fate-of-698-million-set-aside-for-failed-panasonic-deal/article_bbde6e80-0c8b-5420-8314-8912b9ca1b65.html

I'm sure Stitt will try to keep that money stashed in Tulsa somehow, despite it better being used elsewhere. In other news, I hear OKC is trying to implement a rail system for the metro and there's rumblings of a new stadium for the Thunder on the horizon. But of course that's in OKC, Stitt is more into photo-ops and shoving every lucrative business opportunity out of the state.

I'm sure Stitt will try to keep that money stashed in Tulsa somehow, despite it better being used elsewhere. In other news, I hear OKC is trying to implement a rail system for the metro and there's rumblings of a new stadium for the Thunder on the horizon. But of course that's in OKC, Stitt is more into photo-ops and shoving every lucrative business opportunity out of the state.

Help me out here, would ya? I'm confused, are you angry OK didn't land the Panasonic plant? Are you satisfied "Tulsa" didn't get it to spite Stitt and Tulsa? I put Tulsa in quotes because Pryor is about 40-45 mins. East of Tulsa and not even included in the metro.
Has Stitt literally shoved every "lucrative" business opportunity out of the state? Like, he's pushing them away the best he can instead of trying to draw them here? Can you please provide proof of your claim(s)?

The Tulsa bashing that goes on in this board is something that I've been watching since taking a break from here and it's only gotten worse since we have a governor from Tulsa (God forbid it!). Tulsa, for the benefit of all of the posters on here who've partaken in this silly charade, has a metro over 1,000,000 and is OK's second largest city. It needs things just as much as OKC does. So, are you suggesting OKC gets everything and every other city be damned? What all has Stitt "given" Tulsa vs. OKC?

Please, help me out here.

P.S. as far as the Thunder's new arena goes, this is a Tulsa specific sub-forum with a thread about the Panasonic plant.
But since you started it, here it goes: You're fine with state tax dollars going to the Thunder when OKC should be first and foremost trying to figure it out?
What of the people in Durant who are Mavericks fans? What of the folks in Guymon or Boise City who may be Nuggets fans? And what of the people who don't care about the NBA?

If we're going to have these conversations, let's have them.
Maybe some of you will start thinking before posting emotional outbursts.

Help me out here, would ya? I'm confused, are you angry OK didn't land the Panasonic plant? Are you satisfied "Tulsa" didn't get it to spite Stitt and Tulsa? I put Tulsa in quotes because Pryor is about 40-45 mins. East of Tulsa and not even included in the metro.
Has Stitt literally shoved every "lucrative" business opportunity out of the state? Like, he's pushing them away the best he can instead of trying to draw them here? Can you please provide proof of your claim(s)?

The Tulsa bashing that goes on in this board is something that I've been watching since taking a break from here and it's only gotten worse since we have a governor from Tulsa (God forbid it!). Tulsa, for the benefit of all of the posters on here who've partaken in this silly charade, has a metro over 1,000,000 and is OK's second largest city. It needs things just as much as OKC does. So, are you suggesting OKC gets everything and every other city be damned? What all has Stitt "given" Tulsa vs. OKC?

Please, help me out here.

P.S. as far as the Thunder's new arena goes, this is a Tulsa specific sub-forum with a thread about the Panasonic plant.
But since you started it, here it goes: You're fine with state tax dollars going to the Thunder when OKC should be first and foremost trying to figure it out?
What of the people in Durant who are Mavericks fans? What of the folks in Guymon or Boise City who may be Nuggets fans? And what of the people who don't care about the NBA?

Not everything. But pitting Tulsa against Austin or Kansas City isn't fair. Tulsa against Wichita or El Paso, sure. But those big hitters were not looking for a smaller big city like Tulsa. OKC was better to competitor against both. And he should have realized it after the Tesla abortion.

Not everything. But pitting Tulsa against Austin or Kansas City isn't fair. Tulsa against Wichita or El Paso, sure. But those big hitters were not looking for a smaller big city like Tulsa. OKC was better to competitor against both. And he should have realized it after the Tesla abortion.

Does OKC have anything along the same lines as the M.A.I.C. with infrastructure ready to go + relative proximity to a port?
Has the city of OKC told Stitt they have a site ready to go for these proposals? If so, let's see it. Or is OKC sitting back and letting things go by as well?

Does the governor trump the chamber of commerce(s) and other economic advisory boards? Have any of them come out and said OKC would be more competitive or there are better sites around OKC (or other parts of the state)?

Not everything. But pitting Tulsa against Austin or Kansas City isn't fair. Tulsa against Wichita or El Paso, sure. But those big hitters were not looking for a smaller big city like Tulsa. OKC was better to competitor against both. And he should have realized it after the Tesla abortion.

Mid-America meets a lot of the criteria large industrial plants need like large plots of land with a single landowner and utility rate electricity and water through GRDA. It's location is great for some manufacturing and data center operations but it's distance from Tulsa likely puts it at a disadvantage for attracting operations with thousands of employees. The Tesla site was at least within the Tulsa city limits but I haven't seen it marketed again, and doesn't have a lot of the built-in advantages of MAIP or Cherokee.

Does OKC have anything along the same lines as the M.A.I.C. with infrastructure ready to go + relative proximity to a port?
Has the city of OKC told Stitt they have a site ready to go for these proposals? If so, let's see it. Or is OKC sitting back and letting things go by as well?

Does the governor trump the chamber of commerce(s) and other economic advisory boards? Have any of them come out and said OKC would be more competitive or there are better sites around OKC (or other parts of the state)?

Stitt was all over the Tesla and Panasonic plant bids, and was the visible face of the bids. When has he done anything like that for an OK area project? Sure, he will be a face at an announcement, but he doesn't tweet at people for OKC bids. The governor being visible means a lot. Abbott in Texas does it all the time, for the entire state, not just his beloved home area.

Don't forget that Stitt moved a part of the Health department to Stillwater, His beloved college town. And it was a mess for a good while. People resigned not wanting to relocate.
Stitt puts his people in high admin jobs, and they later get tossed for not being qualified. Look at the Tourism Dept fiasco, and the lack of transparency.
Just can't trust the guy.
He also butchered OTC. Installing his puppets, which damn near destroyed it with the loss of the knowledge base.

It's interesting how Stitt in moving the health dept. to Stillwater put it closer to Tulsa. Anyway, I hope enough people have the good sense not to vote for Stitt in Nov. Too much bad political judgment. Too much scandal. Too much alienating the tribes. For starters.

Don't forget that Stitt moved a part of the Health department to Stillwater, His beloved college town. And it was a mess for a good while. People resigned not wanting to relocate.
Stitt puts his people in high admin jobs, and they later get tossed for not being qualified. Look at the Tourism Dept fiasco, and the lack of transparency.
Just can't trust the guy.
He also butchered OTC. Installing his puppets, which damn near destroyed it with the loss of the knowledge base.
But, but, but, he supports OKC too. /s

I'm not sure if the Tulsa hate is really even hate. I don't stop by as often, but don't think I see a lot in terms of Tulsa hate.

I just got back from Kansas City last week. It's shocking how many new warehouses and big industrial buildings there are in Johnson County that I didn't notice the last time I was there in November. A lot of stuff going in along the I-35 corridor in Edgerton and Gardner. It's clear that there's some sort of magic happening there that isn't here, even beyond this Panasonic deal.

I think the new BNSF intermodal facility just east of Edgerton was the catalyst for a lot of this expansion. Add in the expansion of the New Century airpark in Gardner (looks like the runways are long enough to take UPS and FedEx jets) and you have a sweet spot for warehouses. Walmart and Amazon surely think so.

I just got back from Kansas City last week. It's shocking how many new warehouses and big industrial buildings there are in Johnson County that I didn't notice the last time I was there in November. A lot of stuff going in along the I-35 corridor in Edgerton and Gardner. It's clear that there's some sort of magic happening there that isn't here, even beyond this Panasonic deal.


I think the new BNSF intermodal facility just east of Edgerton was the catalyst for a lot of this expansion. Add in the expansion of the New Century airpark in Gardner (looks like the runways are long enough to take UPS and FedEx jets) and you have a sweet spot for warehouses. Walmart and Amazon surely think so.

In case both of you haven't noticed the popular opinion(s) going on here, we aren't allowed to discuss these other possible reasons. We're only allowed to blame current state leadership, rural rednecks, etc.

I jest, but I hope people see the point that conversations like these become a joke when there's some scapegoat to pin things on instead of logical facts like this. Just re-read the last several pages.

Of course, some people will then turn this part of the conversation into "Well, why isn't Stitt encouraging new warehouse construction around Pryor or OKC?!"



Just havin' a little fun, people. Don't anyone take it too seriously.

I've read fun posts before, that one didn't seem to come from a place of fun.

I've read fun posts before, that one didn't seem to come from a place of fun.

+!