Progressive Rural Cities

**G.Walker** · 06-30-2013, 07:41 PM

Originally Posted by KayneMo

Durant has added many businesses within the past several years. A La Quinta is almost complete. Hampton Inn, Best Express Inn, Microtel Inn (now Choctaw Lodge), and Holiday Inn Express were recently finished. Whataburger, Lowe's, Wendy's, Chicken Express, a new Braum's, a second Sonic, Sports City Cafe, Billy Sim's, Walgreens, Blockbuster, Taco Mayo, Arby's, Hibbett Sports, Rue 21, Game Stop, Cato, the Shoe Dept., Pizza Inn, Rib Crib, Chili's, several more banks, Big Lots, a Big Lots distribution center, a glass manufacturer (Cardinal Glass), the Texoma Regional Eye Center, a new building for the Bryan County Health Dept. in the medical district, new buildings each for the police department and Oklahoma Hwy Patrol, 2 new fire department buildings, a new library and community center, at least 5 shopping centers and among others have also recently been added. New exit ramps have been built from Hwy 69/75 onto University Blvd which is prospected to spur even more development. Several years ago, downtown Durant's sidewalks were redone and landscaped, along with new downtown businesses and restaurants. A new high school was finished about 2 years ago with a student capacity of 1,200, it is beautiful! Also can't forget the Choctaw Casino Resort which added major additions several years ago, including a 12 story hotel, a small waterpark, an event center, a huge RV park, additional gambling floor (total of 220,000 sq. ft. of gambling floor), and employing around 3,000! The terminal at Durant Regional Airport was recently renovated, along with new taxiways. A new basketball arena, academic building, dormitories, and a new student union were added to Southeastern Oklahoma State University. The Durant Multi-Sports Complex was complete a few years ago with plans to still expand, right now it has around 7 soccer fields, 8 baseball/softball fields, and a football field. A Discount Tire and CVS are currently under construction. Also under construction is the Hwy 70 bypass to the south of Durant. I'm sure I've forgotten more, but I never realized how much has been going on in Durant!

I don't think Durant's growth is authentic, raw growth. I think most of this development is from the DFW Metroplex bleed over as Durant is now included in the DFW Metroplex combined statistical area.

**Dubya61** · 07-01-2013, 08:38 AM

Originally Posted by G.Walker

I don't think Durant's growth is authentic, raw growth. I think most of this development is from the DFW Metroplex bleed over as Durant is now included in the DFW Metroplex combined statistical area.

Where do you see Durant lumped in with DFW Metroplex combined statistical area? Does it also include Gainesville?