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.