Chickashanews.com

Local News

Discussion

Add a comment on this story
March 20, 2013

Grady developing well economically

James Bright The Express-Star

CHICKASHA — Businesses of every kind are making their way into Grady County as of late.

Chickasha Economic Development Council Director Kristy Elkins said her office has been focusing primarily on retail and housing in the past few weeks.

"We are getting ready to send out our recruitment packages to several possible developers," she said.

Elkins said there are several site locators that have come to Chickasha in search of space to build their establishment. Elkins is also in the process of putting every Chickasha business on the EDC's website, which should attract more potential investors.

The advent of the South Central Oklahoma Oil Province has brought several members of the energy industry to Elkin's door as well.

"I met with an oil company yesterday that is looking at Chickasha as a potential headquarters for this region," she said.

With most interested companies searching for square footage accommodations between 3,000 square feet and 5,000 square feet, Elkins said there are several vacant buildings in Chickasha that could be put to use.

There have even been businesses charmed enough so much by the city that they have considered building large facilities, said Elkins.

"One was looking to build a 50 to 75,000 square foot structure," she said. "Luckily the banks and the people in the community are willing to aid in the building process to bring in larger companies."

Tourism has also seen a recent spike in Chickasha.

Bud Andrus, president of the Chickasha Chamber of Commerce said a tourism committee is just starting with City Manager Stewart Fairburn at the helm.

"The goal is to expand the chamber's function in tourism," Andrus said. "Our single biggest hope is to expand contribution of tourism in the area and the city."

Heavily supporting the Festival of Light, the tourism committee and the chamber hope to one day make Chickasha a destination of choice, but the process is in its infancy, Andrus said.

As for retail, Elkins said she is working on a couple of shopping strip stores at the moment, but Chickasha's real need is housing.

"There are some things that need to come together first before we can really throw our hat into the ring for some of these businesses," Elkins said. "If I have a business interested that needs 100 jobs we need to have the housing to support it."

Text Only
Local News
  • Dorman pushes for storm shelter bond

    Local State Representative Joe Dorman (D) called on legislatures yesterday to pass a bond issue to combat what he called " a lack of adequate storm shelters" in Oklahoma.

    May 21, 2013

  • VIDEO: Storms move into Grady County

    Large storms will move through Grady County this afternoon.

    May 21, 2013

  • tornado.jpg Chickasha's finest lend a hand to Moore tornado victims

    The Chickasha Police Department traveled to West Moore yesterday afternoon following the devastation from an EF-4 tornado that ripped through the community.

    May 20, 2013 3 Photos

  • DSC_2844.JPG Kittens coming along after dumpster dispair

    After being plucked from a dumpster on the north side of town, seven kittens now sit in a green carrier in the Chickasha Animal Shelter with a new found sense of hope.

    May 17, 2013 1 Photo

  • GCEM prepares for active shooter with excercise

    Preparation is the key to any emergency, according to Grady County Emergency Management Director Dale Thompson. Other emergency responders share the same sentiment, and are planning an active shooter tabletop exercise to kick the county’s potential crisis plans into high gear.

    May 17, 2013

  • riane tuthill.jpg Lincoln student champion archer

    Riane Tuthill, a fifth grade student at Lincoln Elementary in Chickasha, was on target at the National Archery in the Schools Program competition this spring. 

    May 17, 2013 1 Photo

  • Knife-point standoff ends in arrest

    A Chickasha man has been arrested on assault and abuse charges after holding his wife and son at knife point.

    May 17, 2013

  • 5-17 AubreyMcCoy-Pentagon.jpg Capitol gets real McCoy at 4-H Conference

    Tuttle's Aubrey McCoy rubbed shoulders with some of the nation's movers and shakers while also shedding light on an important subject when she was selected to attend the National 4-H Conference last month.

    May 17, 2013 1 Photo

  • Water tops CIP list as tax deadline looms in near future

    The possible extension of the CIP three-quarter sales tax, which expires early next year and will require a vote, was the main topic of discussion for the CIP Tax Oversight Committee on Tuesday.
    The main focus of the meeting centered on city plans, mainly improvements, which will be implemented if the tax is approved for continuation.

    May 17, 2013

  • County reacts to NTSB blood alcohol suggestion for every state in union

    The possibility of lowering the blood alcohol legal limit from .08 to .05 was met with mixed reactions from the citizens of Grady County.

    May 16, 2013