Vision Tulsa 2023

HOSTED BY JENNIFER LOREN

SEASON 8 | ALL NEW THIS SPRING

Chief Executive Officer Cherokee Nation Businesses

THE POWER OF PURPOSE

Our 8,000+ employees work with one mission in mind — a stronger Cherokee Nation. Diversification is important to our present and future success. It means great opportunities now and for generations to come. It means having the flexibility to provide for our families and our Nation, year after year. This is why we invest, innovate, diversify and grow.

Businesses

Our mission is to grow Cherokee Nation’s economy through diversification and to create jobs for Cherokee Nation citizens.

Leading the Gaming & Hospitality Industry

®

Providing Federal Contracting Solutions Around the World Developing Cherokee Businesses & Cultural Sites

Cherokee Nation is 440,000 citizens strong. To bring opportunity home to our Nation, we must look both inside and outside our borders. We will meet these challenges and grow — STRONGER TOGETHER

“Cherokee Nation Businesses’ purpose is our people. They unite us. Our work is defined by its impact — felt throughout our communities and across Cherokee Nation.”

Chuck Garrett

Vision Tulsa 2023 is published for the Tulsa City Council, City of Tulsa, by Langdon Publishing.

Copyright © 2023 All rights reserved.

Reproduction in whole or part of information contained herein without prior written approval is prohibited. Vision Tulsa Magazine trademark copyright is registered with the State of Oklahoma. For additional copies of Vision Tulsa 2023 ($9.95 each plus tax and shipping costs) or for additional information about the City of Tulsa, please contact the Tulsa City Council Office, 175 E. Second St., Fourth Floor, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74103; by calling 918-596-1990; or at the Council’s website at tulsacouncil.org , or contact the Director of Economic Development, City of Tulsa, 175 E. Second St., Tulsa, Oklahoma 74103, 918-596-7411, cityoftulsa.org

For information about relocating to Tulsa, write to Tulsa Regional Chamber, Economic Development Division, 1 W. Third St., Suite 100, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74103; or by calling 918-585-1201.

Information contained in this publication is produced for the Tulsa City Council by Langdon Publishing. All reasonable care has been executed to ensure the accuracy of information. All data is current as of December 2022

Publisher recognizes that printed material is subject to error and does not warrant or guarantee information contained herein. The Tulsa City Council and Langdon Publishing assume no liability for errors or omissions.

The views and opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Tulsa City Council or the City of Tulsa.

This is the 38th issue of Vision Tulsa

Publisher: Jim Langdon

Editor: Anne Brockman

Contributing Editors:

Blayklee Freed

Tiffany Howard

Tim Landes

Art Director:

Madeline Crawford

Graphic Designers:

Georgia Brooks

Ashley Guerrero

VP Community Relations:

Susie Miller

Sales Executives:

Andrea Canada

Josh Kampf

Rita Kirk

Research and Analysis:

Martha Gregory

Jennifer Pawlowski

Cover Photos:

Greg Bollinger

Tim Landes

Michelle Pollard

Valerie Wei-Haas

The USA BMX National Headquarters and Hall of Fame Museum opened Feb, 2022 in the Greenwood District. Including the new 25,000-square-foot headquarters building and USA BMX Hall of Fame, in conjunction with the Hardesty National BMX Stadium. The outdoor free-span arena with seating for 2,000 hosts weekly racing, practices, coaching clinics, elite training camps and international events just north of downtown.

BMX tracks across the country come in all different shapes and sizes, but the Olympic-level track right here in Tulsa is a step above the rest. Built to cultivate future champions and test the current, the Hardesty National BMX stadium has something for every bike rider. Be a part of the Tulsa BMX scene by visiting Thursday practice nights, Saturday racing, or any clinics, camps, and beginner leagues, helping each level of racers excel on the track. You can reach us at the email above or message us at Hardesty National BMX Stadium on Facebook.

The past greats who paved the way for the future legends are on display in Tulsa. The National BMX Hall of Fame & Museum is home to countless pieces of BMX History, with room to expand as new history is unearthed. Attached to the museum are several classrooms perfect for your next special event. From birthday parties to quarterly business meetings, the National BMX Hall of Fame & Museum welcomes you to be surrounded by greatness for your next special occasion.

These project-based programs are student-centered and student-led, where instructors help facilitate the BMX STEM curriculum. Our eight-module curriculum is equal parts education and exercise; all centered around a bike. Flexible lesson plans are designed to be used in various settings, including school days, after-school, and summer camps. Our curriculum aligns with state STEM standards, including NGSS, and incorporates a pre/post-testing element that supports outcome-based reporting.

HARDESTY NATIONAL BMX STADIUM

NATIONAL BMX HALL OF FAME & MUSEUM

USA BMX FOUNDATION PROGRAMS & CAMPS

Mayor of Tulsa

Tulsa has approached each new challenge during the past year as an opportunity to advance as a globally competitive, world-class city. Our goals are to strengthen public safety, create opportunity and build the city we want to leave to the next generation.

For a direct impact on public safety, we are focusing on retention and recruitment for the Tulsa Police Department. After recently increasing pay for our current police officers, we also are working to hire more officers. To help accomplish this goal, we have added $15,000 stipends for police academy graduates to address our current shortage.

As another enhancement to our public safety strategy, we are implementing a Real Time Information Center at City Hall, to observe data from cameras that monitor areas and can identify a crime occurring. After seeing initial success with license plate readers helping us recover stolen vehicles and arrest key suspects, we expect the Real Time Information Center to help move law enforcement to an even higher level in Tulsa.

We also have strengthened our Tulsa Fire Department, now fully staffed and increasing its effectiveness with an added fire station — the new Station 33 — supporting our ongoing efforts to ensure Tulsans receive timely service, keeping with TFD’s Insurance Services Office rating of No. 1. Also last year, we approved the largest pay increase in City of Tulsa history for the Tulsa Fire Department — an increase that will help retain great firefighters and attract the next generation of firefighters to our city.

Creating opportunity in Tulsa starts with the basic need of having a place to live. To combat homelessness and improve housing availability in Tulsa, this year we are launching three initiatives. The first is to open a low barrier shelter to provide facilities for those who cannot utilize

existing shelter facilities. Second, we will work with the faith community to certify religious facilities throughout Tulsa as emergency shelters during extreme weather. Third and most important is the Tulsa Housing Challenge, a goal for our community to spur and support over $500 million in the next two years in total housing investment across the city. Recently completed through extensive community engagement with north Tulsa residents, the Kirkpatrick Heights and Greenwood Master Plan is set to restore opportunity for north Tulsans to decide on uses for land where the 1921 Race Massacre occurred and where Urban Renewal cleared the land decades later. This plan is a vision for development on 56 acres of publicly owned land in Kirkpatrick Heights and Greenwood — a plan that is expected to result in a mix of uses and will serve as a model for equitable and inclusive development.

Building Tulsa for ourselves and for the next generation, we marked notable milestones for Vision Tulsa projects in the past year. The Hardesty National BMX Stadium has opened in the Greenwood District. A new Gilcrease Museum also is under construction after a historic groundbreaking last year. This will be a space worthy of Gilcrease’s priceless collection, one of the major assets owned by the citizens of Tulsa.

Our city’s achievements have been made possible through the support of many Tulsans. I want to thank everyone in our community for working together to help move Tulsa forward.

G.T. Bynum Mayor of Tulsa

City Council

City Council Staff

Patrick Boulden Council Administrator

Sarah Davis Deputy Council Administrator

Megan Boyd Senior Council Communications Officer

Ashtyn Reaugh Council Communications Officer

Lori Doring Secretary to the Council

Chris Baughman Council Aide

Elizabeth Tankard Council Aide

Brandon Worley Council Aide

Casey Clark Council Aide

Simone Smith Council Support Assistant

Jennifer Karbowski Council Support Assistant

Vanessa Hall-Harper Councilor District 1

Jeannie Cue Councilor District 2

Crista Patrick Councilor District 3

Laura Bellis Councilor District 4

Grant Miller Councilor District 5

Christian Bengel Councilor District 6

Lori Decter Wright Councilor District 7

Phil Lakin Jr. Councilor District 8

Jayme Fowler Councilor District 9

Council Chair

Welcome, Hola, Mingalaba, Salam, Osiyo, Xin Chao, or Hey, y’all might be some greetings you will receive when coming to my favorite city: Tulsa.

Born and raised in Tulsa, I have had the great fortune of seeing her being woven into the great tapestry of life she is today, where the threads of art and culture are wrapped together in kindness and love.

Tulsa has been named America’s most generous city for a reason. You can truly find your family here — whether it is in visiting our diverse cultural communities such as the Global District or Historic Greenwood, while listening to the Tulsa Sound in our rich entertainment venues like Cain’s Ballroom or BOK Center, or enjoying our natural playscapes in Gathering Place or Oxley Nature Center.

Maybe you will find your family while experiencing our ever-expanding Tulsa Zoo with its new elephant preserve and the recent birth of a white rhino named Hodari, or while learning in one of our world-class museums that cover everything from The Church Studio established by Leon Russell, Bob Dylan Center, Woody Guthrie Center, Philbrook Museum of Art, Greenwood Rising, Gilcrease Museum, or the upcoming OKPOP Museum, to name only a few.

The Tulsa Air and Space Museum and Planetarium provides a fun-filled ride through Tulsa’s history in our second largest industry: aerospace. Did you know 15 Oklahomans have gone into space or contributed to space exploration, and we are the only state to have people in every phase of the U.S. Space Program?

I could go on forever because there are so many wonderful things in Tulsa. Are you feeling overwhelmed and need help deciding where to start? We have you covered there, too. You can find many resources at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center or the new Route 66 Welcome Center at Mother Road Market.

So come on in, make yourself at home, and welcome to the family.

Crista Patrick Chair, Tulsa City Council

Tulsa Global Alliance Tulsa Regional Chamber

Tulsa Global Alliance is a culturally focused nonprofit with a mission to build global community. The work of TGA is, in the terms of the U.S. State Department, “citizen diplomacy.” While diplomats negotiate various treaties and responsibilities, it is the efforts of average Americans to build the friendships between nations that make win-win a possibility in international relations.

Through four key programs, TGA hosts international visitors, facilitates Sister City relationships, and promotes global education and international trade relations.

Friendly relationships between people and countries have never been more vital than today, and TGA offers Tulsans the opportunity to make a positive contribution to international relations at the local level.

These are some of TGA’s successes in 2022:

• TGA hosted 121 exchange program participants representing 49 nations. This generated 584 hotel room nights — an estimated $438,000 economic impact.

• Over 205 Tulsans attended TGA’s SAVOR international food tasting event at the Centennial Center in Veterans Park, featuring 17 Tulsa restaurants.

• With support from the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, Sharon King Davis and the Gelvin Foundation, TGA dedicated a Sister Cities Directional Sign at River Parks, located at East 68th Street and Riverside Drive.

• Working with the Tulsa City-County Library, TGA hosted World in a Box Day, featuring hands-on activities to educate children and families about Tulsa’s Sister Cities.

• TGA assisted the Oklahoma District Export Council, U.S. Commercial Service and PartnerTulsa in hosting the Oklahoma World Trade Conference at Tulsa Technology Center. Consuls General from India, Israel, Japan, Korea, Mexico and Uruguay visited Tulsa for the conference.

• TGA’s first Tulsa delegation since 2019 traveled to Sister City San Luis Potosí, Mexico in honor of the city’s 430th anniversary.

• TGA continued its virtual Global Speaker Series highlighting past international visitors to Tulsa and Tulsa travelers.

• Mayor G.T. Bynum participated in a video call with the mayor of San Luis Potosí, Mexico, Enrique Galindo, and exchanged video greetings with Eiichi Sato, mayor of Utsunomiya, Japan, in honor of the 30th anniversary of the Tulsa-Utsunomiya Sister City relationship.

Tulsans continue to build and strengthen international friendships needed at this pivotal time in our nation’s history. We promote a positive image of Tulsa to the world by introducing the world’s future leaders to the most important resource we have — our people and their warmth, hospitality and friendship.

This year’s Vision Tulsa message is dedicated to TGA’s Sister City Coordinator and Administrator Cathy Izzo who passed away in 2022. Cathy had a profound impact on TGA as an organization, and on our global community. She dedicated 17 years to TGA, and we are thankful to have known her, and for the love and joy she brought to our lives. TGA will always remember her contributions to the organization, Tulsa’s Sister City partnerships and the cause of citizen diplomacy.

Bob Lieser Vice President of Programs, Tulsa Global Alliance

Tulsa is a city that inspires. It inspires investment. It inspires tourism. It inspires exploration, invention and engagement. And, as we increasingly see, Tulsa inspires other cities hoping to generate the same level of energy and excitement that we experience on a daily basis.

Tulsa is many things to many people. Tulsa is vibrant, offering a diverse mix of architecture, activities and events, from arts and music to food and theater. From the ongoing public and private investment in downtown, to quality-of-life improvements like the Gathering Place river development, to marquee venues such as BOK Center, Cain’s Ballroom and ONEOK Field, our community is one our children and grandchildren will want to live in.

Tulsa is active. Tulsans enjoy outdoor spaces like Guthrie Green, River Parks and Turkey Mountain, and they compete in events like the Tulsa Run, Tulsa Tough and the IRONMAN triathlon. Tulsa makes it easy to walk, bike and run, or to simply relax and soak up the sun.

Tulsa is creative. Tulsans pursue opportunities to push the envelope and expand the knowledge base. Tulsa’s creative thinkers are busy today imagining the jobs of tomorrow in fields such as computer science, aerospace, health care and the arts.

Tulsa is entrepreneurial. From our earliest days, Tulsans have been pioneers, and that pioneering spirit continues today through the region’s numerous career tech and higher education institutions, as well as through the Chamber’s own Tulsa Small Business Connection, northeast Oklahoma’s leading network for connecting small businesses with the tools to grow in a competitive global market.

Tulsa is family-friendly. Our region’s attractions — including our zoo, parks and lakes — appeal to young and old alike, offering fun for the entire family. Tulsa is a great place to visit a fair, take in an outdoor concert, and splash in the water.

Tulsa is historic. From our treasure trove of art deco architecture to iconic Route 66, Tulsa offers sights and sounds that chronicle the history of our nation. Tulsa offers world-class museums — including Philbrook and Greenwood Rising — that bring the history of our region — and other regions — to life.

Tulsa is as multi-faceted as its citizens, and Tulsa’s best days are still ahead. Take a look — you, too, will be inspired by Tulsa.

Mike Neal President and CEO, Tulsa Regional Chamber

People of Vision

By Julie Wenger Watson

TOM BIOLCHINI

Chair of the family-owned Vast Bank, Biolchini is also an avid outdoorsman, film buff and collector, with a passion for screen-used movie props. Recently, Biolchini added a new role as chair of the Tulsa Regional Chamber. The lifelong Tulsan brings his enthusiasm for the city and its community to the position, with plans to continue the Chamber’s efforts to recruit and retain businesses in Tulsa.

“Tulsa needs to think big and carry itself with confidence, continually reinvesting in itself and never calling it quits,” he said.

As chair of the Tulsa Regional Chamber, what is your primary focus for 2023? First and foremost, it’s the continuation of what the Chamber started in terms of business retention and recruitment. I think that’s key. It’s also going to be very important over the next year to focus on the homeless and the lack of affordable housing in Tulsa.

What are some of the bigger challenges for the Chamber in 2023 and beyond? It’s going to continue to be education and workforce development. That’s always a hot topic because it’s important. I don’t know if there’s ever been a time in Tulsa’s history since the oil boom of the ’20s and ’30s that we’ve had so much national attention in terms of economic development and opportunities in Tulsa. It’s a great thing, but we need to have the workforce to support that. In a perfect world, we’ll create an environment that our children will want to return to, not just to be with us, but because Tulsa has so much opportunity.

What does your role at the Chamber mean to you personally? I’ve been involved with the Chamber for close to eight years. To me, it’s an honor, and I take it pretty seriously. I was born and raised here, and Tulsa has given my family so much. This is a way for me to use my skills to give back to the city.

FRANCISCO TREVIÑO

In 1978, at the age of 11, Treviño moved with his family from his hometown of Monterrey, Mexico, to Tulsa. At 19, he was already volunteering as a translator at Dolores Huerta (then Columbus) Elementary School.

“I saw that as my first activity as a volunteer in the community, and it just grew from there,” Treviño said. He helped found the Greater Tulsa Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and revived the Hispanic Festival in downtown Tulsa through 2008.

Treviño and his wife, Margarita Vega-Treviño, are coowners of Vega and Treviño Consultants, a bilingual marketing and PR firm. Since 2018, he has led Casa de la Cultura, a nonprofit dedicated to the advancement of the Hispanic arts in Tulsa.

What would you like people to know about Tulsa’s Hispanic communities? I think people don’t really know how to cater to the Hispanic community and other ethnic communities. For example, non-Hispanics think they can say something in Spanish and cater to all of the Hispanic community, and that’s not the case. You might say one thing, but the Venezuelan community will understand that differently, or the Guatemalan community will understand it differently. They think all Hispanics are Mexicans, and we’re not. The Hispanic community is very diverse. You have Venezuelans. You have Guatemalans. You have Hondurans. You have people from the Caribbean. The message needs to be more neutral, so everybody can understand it as one.

What are some thoughts on Tulsa heading into 2023? We still need to be more inclusive on many things. It’s always nice to talk about being diverse, but it takes commitment, too. Tulsa is a very welcoming city, especially with the current atmosphere nationwide. Tulsa is totally different than other cities that are not really open to immigrant communities. In the organizations in town that are helping these communities, I’d still like to see more inclusiveness in the board members. They need more “spice” in the sauce.

MOLLY JARVIS

Jarvis is the senior vice president of cultural tourism and economic development for Cherokee Nation Businesses. An Oklahoma State University graduate who was born and raised in Tulsa, Jarvis joined what was then called Cherokee Nation Enterprises in 2002. During her career, she’s worked in everything from business development and project management to directing marketing for the casinos.

“I think a common theme is that I really enjoy linking things together, and connecting people and networking — all the connections that come with living in Tulsa, being raised here and having a family here,” Jarvis said. Can you tell me a little about your involvement in the community? I’ve always had a background in and a passion for youth and youth development. When I got to OSU, I really yearned for that community and service connection, so I began a mentor relationship through Big Brothers Big Sisters. I’ve continued to volunteer for that organization since college. Today I serve on the statewide board.

That passion extends to my service to the YMCA with its focus on healthy lifestyle, community involvement and healthy avenues for youth development. I also serve on the board of trustees for Tulsa Community College. TCC provides educational opportunities to youth in the Tulsa area for a great quality education right here.

I’m also a board member for the OKPOP Foundation and serve on the board of trustees for Riverfield Country Day School.

What are you currently working on? Cherokee Nation Businesses recently opened a meat processing operation. This was a large project for me personally because I had no background in it. But I’ve learned a lot over the last year. This project was born out of a need for food security that Cherokee Nation saw during the pandemic. It’s called 1839 Cherokee Meat Co. 1839 is the year the Cherokee Nation signed a new constitution uniting the Nation, post-Removal.

BIOLCHINI: MICHELLE POLLARD; TREVIÑO: GREG BOLLINGER; JARVIS: COURTESY CHEROKEE NATION BUSINESSES;

Route 66

By Rhys Martin, President, Oklahoma Route 66 Association

We’re lucky in Tulsa that we have a lot of local, cultural treasures — Route 66 being one of them.

For those who drive East 11th Street every day, it may not seem like a big deal. But people come from all over specifically to travel that old two-lane that connects Chicago to Los Angeles and the Pacific Ocean. Tulsa isn’t just another stop along the famous highway, either. Tulsa is known as the Capital of Route 66 for good reason!

Tulsa is the adopted hometown of Cyrus Avery, the Father of Route 66. This early proponent of the “Good Roads” movement saw the vital need for paved roads to accommodate the growing automobile industry in the early 20th century. Because of his influence and heavy involvement, U.S. Highway 66 came through Tulsa and across the Arkansas River on the 11th Street bridge. There’s a statue in his honor on the northeast end of that historic span, forever locked in a surprise encounter with a horse-and-buggy oil field worker.

Route 66 in Tulsa isn’t a one-hit wonder, though. Tulsa has 28 miles of the road when you consider both alignments, which cover eight distinct districts in the city. If you are heading east to west (the traditional direction that Route 66 is known for) you’ll enter Tulsa through the Gateway District, named after the beautiful deco-inspired gateway near East 11th Street and South 129th East Avenue. There’s a historic marker nearby, the first of dozens scattered along the road that tell more of the story. The traffic circle at East Admiral Place and South Mingo Road — once the site of Avery’s gas station and tourist court — stands a magnificent monument titled “Route 66 Rising.” Indeed, over the last two decades it has seen a great rebirth not just for tourism but for local entrepreneurs.

As you journey east, the blazing neon of the vintage Desert Hills Motel welcomes you to the University District. Anchored by the University of Tulsa, this stretch of the road starts to show how the city’s Neon Sign Grant has further enhanced the corridor. Neon has long been associated with Route 66’s so-called “heyday,” but it’s as vibrant and beloved as ever. Since the program launched in 2019, over 50 signs have been approved through the grant program. These have joined the

long-standing signs to create a brightly lit path of nostalgia and artistry that begs visitors to stay longer to see the tubes come to life as the sun goes down.

The Tulsa Market District is named after Mother Road Market, the sprawling food hall at 1124 S. Lewis Ave. The intersection has recently undergone a massive transformation thanks to the City and the Lobeck Taylor Family Foundation. It’s hard to believe it wasn’t that long ago this part of town was heavily associated with car dealerships and warehouse storage. This is a popular stop for Route 66 travelers with shops and unique Tulsa flavors.

Just north of the Market District, Kendall Whittier is nestled on the original alignment of Route 66 and proudly celebrates its multicultural makeup. Circle Cinema here is Tulsa’s only independent movie house and it always has something interesting going on. There are many small businesses here that fit the mold that has always made Route 66 great — from the Pancho Anaya Bakery to Bar 473 to Ziegler Art and Frame and more.

Installed in 1934 at East 11th Street and South Lewis Avenue, the Meadow Gold sign promoted Beatrice Foods Co.’s dairy products. Though described as one sign, it’s a set of two signs that originally stood back-to-back. Over the decades that followed, the sign’s neon-lit iconography helped cement its place among Route 66 landmarks. The sign was restored and moved in 2009 to its new home near 11th Street and South Quaker Avenue.

Did you know Tulsa is home to one of the largest neon signs on the entire Route 66 corridor? The Meadow Gold sign near 11th and South Peoria Avenue was saved from demolition in the early 2000s and fully restored as part of Tulsa’s Route 66 Master Plan. Today it overlooks one of the best examples of how local businesses have come together around an identity to create something of a small-town atmosphere in the middle of the city. The Meadow Gold District is home to Ike’s Chili, the oldest operating restaurant in Tulsa (its original location even served Will Rogers) and the 21-foot-tall Muffler Man statue outside of Buck Atom’s Cosmic Curios has become an international landmark. The longer you linger here,

Route 66 exits downtown through the Cathedral District. Multiple ornate and architecturally significant churches stand within view. Not far from here, the road turns south and crosses the Arkansas River. In addition to the previously mentioned Cyrus Avery statue, there’s a Neon Sign Park on the southwest bank. These signs had been lost to the wrecking ball for decades, but thanks to the Tulsa Route 66 Commission’s efforts, they were reborn to celebrate the three eras of Route 66 in Tulsa.

Southwest Boulevard leads into the Red Fork District, home of Tulsa Route 66 Main Street. Red Fork was a suburb when Tulsa was young. It’s

time as the Oil Capital of the World. It’s fitting that a drive down Route 66 on the west side takes you past an oil refinery and the Route 66 Village, a roadside attraction designed to educate travelers about Tulsa’s transportation history. Historic Downtown Red Fork is still there, too, and is becoming known as a hotspot for local art.

The energy around Route 66 is only going to increase as the Centennial approaches in 2026. The AAA Route 66 Road Fest will be at Expo Square for a second year in 2023, and more grants are in the works to help small businesses take advantage of their unique spot in Tulsa, the Capital of Route 66.

Since 1996, Jack Patel has owned the Desert Hills Motel, which opened on Route 66 in 1953.

The Arts

By Ken Busby, Route 66 Alliance

With great anticipation, the Bob Dylan Center opened to the public in May 2022, and guests from around the world have steadily streamed in ever since. Designed by Olson Kundig, the Bob Dylan Center houses and exhibits exclusive cultural treasures created and owned by Dylan from over seven decades. This includes everything from handwritten lyric manuscripts to some of the world’s most treasured songs, as well as previously unreleased recordings, neverbefore-seen film performances, rare and unseen photographs, visual art and other priceless items. Welcoming you as you enter the Center is an original 15-foot-tall iron sculpture created by Bob Dylan. In accompanying text about the artwork Dylan said, “Gates appeal to me because of the negative space they allow. They can be closed, but at the same time they allow the seasons and breezes to enter and flow. They can shut you out or shut you in. And in some ways, there is no difference.”

The City of Tulsa has long recognized the importance of the arts to the cultural life and economic well-being of our community. The Oklahoma Historical Society oversaw the construction of OKPOP, a museum of popular culture located in the Tulsa Arts District across from the historic Cain’s Ballroom. With the building complete, attention now turns to creating world-class exhibits showcasing the outstanding collection of creative artists and musicians from across Oklahoma.

And speaking of popular culture, Route 66 continues to raise its profile across the state as excitement builds for the centennial of Route 66 in 2026. AAA hosted the Route 66 Road Fest in June, welcoming thousands of visitors from the region who learned about the history of Route 66 through a series of creative vignettes called “The Journey,” which allowed visitors to learn about the route decade by decade.

With COVID-19 cases on the decline, the Tulsa Performing Arts Center began welcoming crowds back to see Broadway shows, as well as the best from our local performing arts organizations. The PAC also launched a new Luminary Circle to raise funds to support programmatic and capital improvements.

The Bob Dylan Center opened May 10, 2022, with an official ribbon cutting and musical performances. The collection, which includes everything from handwritten lyrics, visual art and photos, was acquired by Tulsa-based George Kaiser Family Foundation in 2016.

Tulsa Symphony celebrated its 2022-2023 season with a concert with the acclaimed concertmaster of the Chicago Symphony, Robert Chen. “Sensational” featured a standingovation-worthy performance by Chen of “Butterfly Lovers’ Concerto” by Chen Gang and He Zhanhao.

Tulsa Opera opened its season with Gioachino Rossini’s “The Italian Girl,” followed by “Aida” and “Into the Woods.”

Tulsa Ballet presented “Creations in Studio K,” its annual celebration of new works from the most in-demand choreographers in the world. This year featured Australian-born choreographer Craig Davidson whose prize-winning pieces have been described as, “a breath of fresh air” and “explosive.” Nicolo Fonte, currently the resident choreographer for Ballet West, returned to Tulsa to create a world premiere piece, as well. And Ma Cong’s “Melodia,” performed by TBII, Tulsa

Ballet’s second company, returned to the Studio K stage, juxtaposing the accomplishment of Tulsa Ballet’s main company with the promise and talent of TBII.

The story of two of the 20th century’s most iconic artists — Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera — was told in Philbrook Museum of Art’s exhibition “Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera and Mexican Modernism.” It situated their work within the larger landscape of artists, writers and activists in mid-century Mexico known as the Mexican avant-garde.

Magic City Books, an independent bookstore owned by the nonprofit Tulsa Literary Coalition, celebrated its fifth anniversary in 2022. The shop specializes in literary and popular fiction and narrative nonfiction for adults, and offers carefully curated sections for children and teens. Magic City Books is also the home of Booksmart Tulsa, which has been presenting engaging author events for almost a decade in Tulsa.

The Tulsa Library Trust recognized author Ann Patchett as the featured speaker for the 2022 Peggy V. Helmerich Distinguished Author Award Gala. The Anne V. Zarrow Award for Young Readers’ Literature was presented by the Tulsa Library Trust to author Nikki Grimes.

The Woody Guthrie Center marks its 10th anniversary in 2023. The Center installed an ongoing exhibit in its Woody Today section about the release of Fire in Little Africa’s album. The display features original artwork by Tulsabased Antonio Andrews (Dialtone) and videos of the project. A collection of photos identify the 60 Tulsa hip-hop artists who are part of the project. The story continues in the special exhibit gallery with an original wall mural, photos and memorabilia from Fire in Little Africa as part of the GRAMMY Museum’s “Songs of Conscience, Sounds of Freedom” exhibit.

108|Contemporary showcases contemporary fine craft, and it hosted an exhibition by Mexican American artist Donald Longcrier, entitled “Sin Título,” Spanish for “Untitled.” His work springs from a lifelong interest in the contemplative life, particularly in Western and Eastern traditions.

Especially in the aftermath of COVID-19 and its impact on the arts and cultural sector across the country, Tulsa Community Foundation and George Kaiser Family Foundation continued their arts-funding initiative, Arts Alliance Tulsa, a United Arts Fund that strengthens and supports the arts through fundraising, support services, audience development and allocations of resources. Thirty-eight cultural organizations in Tulsa are benefiting from this program designed to raise awareness of Tulsa’s rich arts scene.

Tulsa really does offer something for everyone. The arts are what make a community special. The arts are about creativity, self-expression, economic development, tourism, job creation and so much more. To quote British essayist and critic Walter Pater, “Art comes to you proposing frankly to give nothing to you but the highest quality to your moments as they pass.”

Gilcrease Museum began undergoing a major transformation with the demolition of the existing museum and construction of a new state-of-the-art facility. The new Gilcrease Museum is scheduled to open in late 2024. To keep the museum in the public eye, Gilcrease launched “Gilcrease in Your Neighborhood,” featuring one artwork reproduction voted on by the public that will “pop up” in 31 locations across the community at once. Each artwork, such as Pop Chalee’s (Taos Pueblo) “Forest Scene” (pictured here at Turkey Mountain), will be up for about three months before transitioning to a new featured artwork for another three months. The locations are as varied as our community — from parks to libraries to shopping centers — inside and out.

Live Music

sold-out performances with Oklahoma country crooner Garth Brooks, farewell tour stops from megastars Elton John and Bob Seger, and blockbuster events with Metallica, Imagine Dragons and Bruno Mars. Recipient of numerous accolades, including its ninth nomination for “Arena of the Year” by the Academy of Country Music, the venue is ranked one of the world’s busiest concert destinations. bokcenter.com

Cain’s Ballroom

Built in 1924, the Cain’s Ballroom served as a garage and a dance academy before becoming a top performance venue beloved by musicians and fans alike. This revered honky-tonk is steeped in history. From 1935-1942, Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys hosted weekly dances, a midnight radio show and a daily noon hour radio program from the Cain’s stage, popularizing a new sound called Western swing, a form of country and Western music that combines jazz, hillbilly, blues and big band swing.

Today, Cain’s still boasts its wooden dance floor, and oversized photographs of country music icons like Ernest Tubb, Hank Williams and Tennessee Ernie Ford remain on the walls. While Cain’s is proud of its legacy as the “Home of Western Swing,” it continues to make history. The Sex Pistols, Van Halen, Sonic Youth and even a very young U2 have graced this stage. This year’s calendar includes scheduled performances with rockers Death Cab for Cutie, local act King Cabbage Brass Band, singer-songwriter Elle King and many more. cainsballroom.com

The Church Studio

From a world-class arena and a timeless honkytonk to the corner bar, music is everywhere in Tulsa. If oil built this city, steel guitars, fiddles and horns were the soundtrack. Seated at the geographical crossroads of the nation, Tulsa has produced talent as diverse as the funky ’70s rhythm and blues innovators the GAP Band to the perennially pleasing pop of the Hanson brothers and everything in between. On any given night, music is just around the corner.

BOK Center

By Julie Wenger Watson GREG

Designed by world-renowned architect César Pelli, the BOK Center opened in 2008 with a sold-out show from legendary California rock band The Eagles. The arena’s stark, modern silhouette is a striking addition to the skyline of downtown Tulsa. Since opening its doors to the public, the 19,000 plus-seat, multipurpose facility has hosted two concerts from Sir Paul McCartney, seven consecutive

An historic church, which was converted to a recording studio and home office for Leon Russell and Denny Cordell’s Shelter Records in the early 1970s, has been lovingly restored and now boasts an intimate theater. It has hosted concerts with legacy artists like Kenny Loggins and Jimmy Webb. Artists as diverse as Tom Petty and the GAP Band (acronym for Greenwood Archer Pine) once recorded here, and the venue is still making history today. thechurchstudio.com

Shakey Graves performs at Cain’s Ballroom.

Casinos

For those who like a side of gambling with their music, Tulsa is home to several casinos housing excellent music venues. Hard Rock Live in the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino is a state-of-the-art 2,600-seat amphitheater with an intimate feel. hardrockcasinotulsa.com.

On the banks of the Arkansas River, River Spirit Casino Resort features the Cove, a music destination booking nationally touring acts. riverspirittulsa.com

Set in the Osage Hills in north Tulsa, the 45,000-square-foot Skyline Event Center at the Osage Casino Hotel boasts an impressive lineup of entertainment. osagecasino.com

Guthrie Green

Located in the heart of the Tulsa Arts District, Guthrie Green is an urban park that regularly features free, live music. From national acts to mini-festivals and musical food truck Wednesdays, this outdoor venue is a Tulsa favorite. guthriegreen.com

Gathering Place

Tulsa’s $465 million park has free, familyfriendly programming with outdoor concerts featuring everything from wandering drum corps to full-blown festivals celebrating Latin, Caribbean and Native American cultures. gatheringplace.org

Clubs

Mercury Lounge showcases the best in local music, but this neighborhood bar is also adept at capturing rising stars. Weekly performances from Tulsa’s best and brightest, as well as eclectic regional and national acts populate this venue’s calendar, attracting a loyal, diverse and interesting clientele. mercuryloungetulsa.com

When Tori Ruffin, longtime guitarist for Prince musical associates Morris Day and the Time, chose to move to Tulsa after years of extended visits, he and his brother Greg Ruffin opened

Juicemaker Lounge. The name is a nod to Ruffin’s band Freak Juice and its loyal fans, the “Juice Makers.” This unique space has a great, welcoming vibe and features a genre-defying mix of live acts. facebook.com/juicemakermusic

For those wanting a taste of Tulsa’s original music, the Colony is a favorite of local musicians. Don’t be surprised to find an

occasional special guest sitting in with one of the Tulsa bands. This bar is home to many afterhour jams and a frequent stop for nationally touring performers after their own concerts have concluded. colonytulsa.com

Whether your tastes run to arena rock or singersongwriter sets, Tulsa has it all.

Snoop Dogg performs March 24-25, 2022, to sold-out crowds at BOK Center.

Blues artist Taj Mahal performs in The Church Studio’s Legacy Concert Series on Aug. 25, 2022. The intimate venue provides seating for up to 100 guests.

Downtown

By Laura Dennis

The efforts made to revitalize downtown Tulsa continue to impact downtown life in a big way. The IDL, responsible for carrying an estimated 62,000-plus vehicles each day through and around the downtown Tulsa area, is seeing incremental changes on and along its path. You might be tired of the constant construction and rerouting, but these inconveniences are not without purpose and a greater vision.

Community leaders and organizers have tediously planned and thought out the reconstruction and redevelopment of downtown, with efforts to preserve its architectural history and maintain the intention that downtown Tulsa is “where culture and commerce intersect and create an environment where creativity and innovation flourish.”

In 2022, completed projects — like Davenport Lofts, The View Apartments, USA BMX Headquarters and Hall of Fame, Oil Capital Apartments and the office structure at 222 N. Detroit Ave. — give hope to a more easily accessible and beautiful downtown for all to enjoy.

In 2023, milestones will be made for several construction projects, including the EvansFintube site, OKPOP Museum and the Sinclair Building.

Efforts to upgrade/update

infrastructure

Road construction is a necessary, ongoing chore in the downtown area, but a few projects have reached completion in the last year.

Both Main Street and Boulder Avenue have been converted from one-way to two-way streets. Fifth Street also has seen a two-way conversion along with an extension into Civic Plaza. Construction is scheduled to convert both Cincinnati and Detroit avenues to two-way traffic in the coming months, according to the Tulsa Planning Office.

Reimagining the Center of the Universe

The Downtown Tulsa Partnership, the City of Tulsa and several private investors are revamping and restoring the Center of the Universe Plaza and Boston Avenue Bridge through the Reimagining the Center of the Universe partnership.

Created in 1983, the “acoustic anomaly” (as many refer to it) was born from the ashes of a damaging fire that required reconstruction along the 100-year-old Boston Avenue Bridge. The distinctive space holds nostalgic memories and experiences for many Tulsans, and the city is committed to respecting its history and to maintaining its unique aspects through these improvements. Capital funding and DTP fundraising will cover the repair of the bridge structure and provide partial funding for the

plaza improvements including new pathways, lighting, landscaping, public art and more.

The project was approved in December 2019 but was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was resumed in 2021 with a structural survey conducted by the City of Tulsa. Construction for

USA BMX Headquarters and Hall of Fame

OKPOP Museum

Downtown districts

ARENA DISTRICT The BOK Center, twice named “Arena of the Year” by the International Entertainment Buyers Association, has consistently received high-ranking numbers compared to numerous venues in the United States and overseas. Every season, BOK Center and neighboring event space Cox Business Convention Center promise phenomenal experiences for Tulsa.

BLUE DOME DISTRICT People of all ages come to dance at Whiskey 918; consume brats, beer and duck fat fries at Fassler Hall; get authentically fresh seafood at Peacemaker Lobster and Crab Co.; sit down to a locally sourced meal at Juniper; munch on gourmet donuts at Hurts Donut Co.; or enjoy classic arcade games at The Max Retropub. In 2023, expect to see the opening of Santa Fe Square, a mixed-use development.

CATHEDRAL DISTRICT Downtown Tulsa is home to many beautiful and historic churches, cathedrals and chapels, some of which are on the National Registry of Historic Places. Thousands of Tulsans visit downtown weekly for services and programs as the churches continue to accommodate growth by expanding their presence. In addition, the Cathedral District is home to Tulsa Community College’s Metro Campus where Tulsans can seek higher education goals. Public Service Co. of Oklahoma is a cornerstone of the district, and a neighboring community partner.

DECO DISTRICT This collection of blocks has some of the greatest examples of art deco architecture in the nation. These cultural treasures bring people from all over to marvel at what some locals may take for granted. Tours led by

the Tulsa Foundation for Architecture regularly fill up exploring the historical architecture, the underground tunnel system and the beauty of some of Oklahoma’s most memorable skyscrapers.

EAST VILLAGE DISTRICT

This district, centered at East Third Street and South Kenosha Avenue, has emerged with a variety of new opportunities, including residential and commercial, as well as dining and entertainment experiences. Like its surrounding districts, the East Village is experiencing a boom in residential living, retail and office options.

HISTORIC GREENWOOD DISTRICT Dubbed America’s “Black Wall Street,” the 35-block Greenwood District surrounded the corner of North Greenwood Avenue and East Archer Street and became a prosperous center for commerce in the early 1900s. When the Race Massacre of 1921 destroyed much of the district, the community rebuilt from the ashes. Today, the Historic Greenwood District showcases its heritage through the Greenwood Cultural Center, the Mabel B. Little Heritage House, the John Hope Franklin Reconciliation Park, and numerous memorials and murals depicting reconciliation and resilience. Greenwood Rising history center opened in 2021 on the 100-year commemoration of the Tulsa Race Massacre.

TULSA ARTS DISTRICT An eclectic collection of entertainment, restaurants, offices, retail, residential and arts establishments can be found here. Home to the popular Guthrie Green, Woody Guthrie Museum and more, the District continues to grow and transform. The Bob Dylan Center opened in May, allowing the public to interact with items in the collection of Bob Dylan Archives. Construction continues on OKPOP Museum, which will be devoted to Oklahoma music, film, comics, TV and literature.

A rendering of the reimagined Center of the Universe Plaza and Boston Avenue Bridge

Beyond the loop!

If a downtown area is considered the heart of a city, then the arteries that feed it live in a symbiotic relationship. One could easily say Brookside, Cherry Street, the Pearl District, South Boston (SoBo), North Greenwood and Kendall Whittier have very cool vibes representing an eclectic mix of everything from boho to Rodeo Drive, with each having a unique soul of its own. They, too, are seeing their fair share of revitalization and new construction.

Brookside has seen a major facelift in the last few years with facades that seem to blend seamlessly together, creating a sense of sophistication while shopping, dining or visiting. Cherry Street is another staple for those who frequent or live in midtown Tulsa. New construction mingles with historic structures. Shops, restaurants and bars nearby are ready to welcome guests.

The Pearl District has seen a true polishing. Its bohemian feel is a huge attraction, and renovation of existing buildings seems to be the key. The Church Studio opened again in March 2022 after a five-year renovation. Additionally, numerous breweries reside in the area.

SoBo is alive with projects including the construction of Brut Hotel and several other developments along the way. The new DoubleShot Coffee House site continues to brew success.

The Kendall Whittier District is home to Circle Cinema, a vibrant artist community and the home of the Tulsa Farmers’ Market. Abutting the district is Mother Road Market, a nonprofit development featuring more than 20 restaurant and retail business concepts.

Festivals

Throughout the year, downtown is the epicenter of numerous celebrations of culture, music and more.

Monthly Tulsa Arts District art crawls

Held on the first Friday of every month from 6-9 p.m. in the Tulsa Arts District, the year-round monthly event is a crowd favorite. It features participating art galleries, studios, pop-up artists and museums. Grab dinner, a nightcap and a slice of pie, and peruse the visual art, performances and sometimes fireworks the art crawls have to offer. Visit thetulsaartsdistrict. org/first-friday-art-crawl for details.

Mayfest

This iconic arts festival celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2023. Held in the Tulsa Arts and Historic Greenwood districts, this event brings art, music, food and fun to downtown Tulsa for the whole family to enjoy. With more than 140 artists and 40 performers, the goal of this festival is to “keep Tulsa creative.” For details on this year’s Mayfest, visit tulsamayfest.org.

Black Wall Street Rally

A motorcycle event held in the Historic Greenwood District, also known as the Black Wall Street of America, the Black Wall Street Rally is an opportunity to experience its rich history. Rally goers can expect tours, music entertainment, a motorcycle parade and more over a two-day celebration in May each year. Visit blackwallstreetrally.com for details.

Dreamland Festival

One of Tulsa’s newest festivals, Dreamland made its inaugural debut in September 2022 throughout the Tulsa Arts District. A celebration of music, art and culture, it was coined after the Williams Dreamland Theater, which was one of many businesses destroyed in the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. In 2022, local artist Steph Simon announced a lineup of nearly 100 musical performances, panel conversations, keynote speakers, art installations and more. The intention of Dreamland is to spark creative innovation in the city of Tulsa; it’s a music festival meets tech and art summit. For tickets and future dates, visit stephxsimon.com.

Dia de los Muertos

Hosted by the Living Arts of Tulsa, Dia de los Muertos Festival is a Latinx celebration honoring loved ones who have died. Held in Guthrie Green, the festival includes live performances honoring Hispanic and Latinx culture, art displays and food and drink. For more details, visit livingarts.org.

Winterfest

A holiday tradition for the whole family to enjoy, BOK Center transforms into a winter wonderland from late November to early January. Tulsans can enjoy the outdoor ice rink or take a ride on the Winterfest Express train, which picks up passengers outside of the arena from noon-3 p.m. on Saturdays. Food and drinks are available for purchase. For more information, visit tulsawinterfest.com.

Mayfest

Tulsa City-County Library

Tulsa City-County Library (TCCL), composed of 24 public libraries located throughout Tulsa County, provides informational, educational and recreational resources and services to more than 377,838 registered library cardholders.

The library is a learning center for students of all ages and backgrounds; a safe place to explore information and new ideas; employment and business centers for all to use, including the most underserved populations. Every day, TCCL helps change someone’s life for the better — whether it is providing free online tutoring for a student, connecting an entrepreneur to the resources that can help start a small business or helping parents improve their child’s or their own reading skills to better share stories with their family.

TCCL’s Resource Centers, which include the African American Resource Center, American Indian Resource Center, Hispanic Resource Center and Genealogy Resource Center, among others, provide free resources — from books,

music and DVDs to microfiche, vertical files and events. The Digital Literacy Lab and Maker Space, both at Central Library, feature classes and specialized equipment such as 3D printers, an audio lab, flight simulators, digitization tools and much more.

TCCL also offers a multitude of resources, programs and services to promote lifelong learning and help children grow up able to compete globally. Free examples include an online homework assistance service in English and Spanish; After-School Homework Clubs; Build A Reader storytimes; and an annual Summer Reading Program, to name just a few. Through hundreds of community-led events each month in more than 40 meeting rooms across the Library system, TCCL brings community members together by giving local groups and thinkers the chance to convene and connect. From the Seed Library to long-running series like the Kiowa and Yuchi Language Classes or the annual Young People’s Creative Writing Contest,

TCCL offers itself up as a communal haven for anyone trying to discover and grow.

To connect Tulsa County with internationally and nationally acclaimed authors and individuals who represent the diversity of the community, TCCL hosts programs such as: the biennial American Indian Writers Award; the annual Anne V. Zarrow Award for Young Readers’ Literature; the annual Books to Treasure program; the annual Peggy V. Helmerich Distinguished Author Award; and the biennial Sankofa Freedom Award. In 2023, the inaugural Hummingbird Award in Literary Arts will honor and recognize a nationally prominent author, poet or artist whose work has elevated and affirmed the voice of the Latinx community. Learn more about each award at tulsalibrary.org/programs-and-services.

To learn more about TCCL and all the great resources, services and programs it has to offer the community, visit tulsalibrary.org or call 918-549-7323.

Left: Alex Mullin in the Audio Lab at Central Library (top right) Sewing demonstration in the Maker Space at Central Library (bottom right) Oklahoma Room at Central Library

Destination Districts

By Laura Dennis

In 2019, the Tulsa Planning Office launched Destination Districts, a commercial revitalization program intended to increase economic growth, highlight diversity, support cultural representation and create a deep sense of community in selected areas of Tulsa with historical and cultural importance. TPO has approved four districts in the Tulsa area: Kendall Whittier, the Tulsa Global District, the Historic Greenwood District and Route 66.

But Destination Districts Manager Samantha Extance said they are working to expand the program and make it more inclusive. “I’m hoping to add an option for other areas that are emerging, that do have grassroots organization, that do have investments,” she said. “We want to offer these areas the same kind of support we’re giving our current districts.”

Kendall Whittier Main Street

Kendall Whittier, located at 2205 E. Admiral Blvd., is primarily an arts district. You’ll find a handful of art studios, restaurants, the Las Americas grocery store and a lot of unique, eclectic retail. It’s also home to the Tulsa Farmers’ Market, Ziegler Art and Frame and several breweries.

The district hosted many events in 2022, including Amps on Admiral, the Kendall Whittier Arts Festival, the Los Festivales y Mercados and more. The Regenerate/Reimagine Project launched in December and is an art and economic development project that reimagines neighborhood storefronts.

“(Kendall Whittier) is recognized for its economic revitalization, place making and place keeping,” she said. “We point to them as the example of what can be accomplished through the program.”

Tulsa Global District

The most recent addition to the Destination Districts program, the Tulsa Global District is a special qualifier because unlike the others, it’s nowhere near downtown. Located near the intersection of East 21st Street and South Garnett Road, you’ll find a multicultural hub of Hispanic and Latinx businesses and communities, comingled with a large and diverse Asian population.

The district’s calendar events for 2022 included the Festival de Frida, the Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month Festival, the AAPI Cultural Festival, The Square at Nam Hai Market and a Celebración del Dia de los Muertos. In 2023, look for more murals via the Global Walls program, which utilizes public art to create vibrant places while highlighting the unique culture of the district.

“The Global District has so much strength within their organization,” Extance said. “They’ve pulled off quite a bit in their first year within the program.”

Historic Greenwood District

Located at North Greenwood Avenue and East Archer Street, the Historic Greenwood District is also known as “Black Wall Street” and is the epicenter of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. This resilient community includes a hub of successful Black-owned businesses, as well as historic tributes to the many people affected by the race massacre.

Greenwood held several events in 2022, including the Greenwood Farmers and Artisans Market, Juneteenth, the HBCU BBQ and the Greenwood Main Street Carnival. The district intends to continue these events for 2023, and will add more to the calendar.

The district has two redevelopment projects in the works bringing with them economic opportunities. PartnerTulsa is leading the development for Kirkpatrick Heights and Greenwood Master Plan and is overseeing the Evans-Fintube site redevelopment project. “Those two projects are going to be absolutely catalytic and transformative for Greenwood,” Extance said. “We’re going to continue to see more development and energy in their district.”

Route 66 Main Street

Route 66 Main Street is Tulsa’s largest Destination District. It spans a 4-mile stretch, reaching from the Arkansas River to the Crystal City Shopping Complex. Centered at 3310 Southwest Blvd., you’ll find a mix of industrial businesses and manufacturing; quirky, assorted Route 66 businesses; retail and restaurants.

“The district has such a rich history in both Route 66 history and in Tulsa’s oil history,” Extance says. “You’ll find lots of historical markers and plaques in the area.”

Events for 2023 will include PatriotFest, 918 Food Festival, Art Crawl on 66 and Keep Oklahoma Beautiful Day.

Plaza Santa Cecilia is an indoor shopping mall in Tulsa’s Global District.

Cox Business Convention Center

Managed by ASM Global, Cox Business Convention Center is 275,000-square-feet of event-focused space located in Tulsa’s vibrant Arena District.

Originally named the Tulsa Assembly Center, the venue opened to the community in 1964 offering office rental space and meeting room space. As the decades passed so did the building’s name, space and purpose.

Today, Cox Business Convention Center has grown into an award-winning all-purpose event center, welcoming some of the greatest artists of all times, such as Elvis, Elton John, Tina Turner, KISS, Keith Urban and countless others. It hosts international conferences, tradeshows, galas, sporting competitions and record-breaking events including Oklahoma’s largest banquet dinner with a guest list of 5,000.

“Our goal is to increase the city of Tulsa’s economy,” Assistant General Manager Angie Teel CMP says. “When we book events, our intention is to have hotel rooms booked, restaurants full and Tulsa shops busy!”

As Tulsa’s population has grown over the decades, so has the need for gala, tradeshow, concert, conference and banquet space. Cox Business Convention Center offers a venue with a long history and brand-new renovations, currently holding the largest ballroom space in Oklahoma at 41,470 square feet.

Another amenity that makes Cox Business Convention Center stand out is Savor…, its in-house catering led by Executive Chef Devin Levine. Voted Chef of the Year twice, Levine achieved one bronze and two silver medals in American Culinary Federation competitions and was voted Best Country Club Chef in Oklahoma.

CBCC also offers ASM Tulsa’s highly experienced technical service team, allowing an experienced AV and IT team to execute extravagant events.

“At Cox Business Convention Center, it’s our mission to be outrageously excellent. We embrace our differences and leverage them to create an amazing workplace,” Teel says. “We’re a diverse family of team members who are passionate

about serving our community and we pride ourselves on creating superior experiences for our clients and guests. We strive to maintain a work community based on mutual respect and support, which values everyone’s dignity, abilities and unique contributions. At Cox Business Convention Center, we support a company culture in which a mix of people can come to work, feel comfortable and confident to be themselves, and work in a way that suits them and is able to deliver on business objectives.”

Cox Business Convention Center is located at 100 Civic Center. Learn more by visiting coxcentertulsa.com

Parks

By Deborah Laker and J. D. Myer

Tulsa is home to parks, trails and green spaces with myriad uses for recreation by its citizens.

River Parks

Along the Arkansas River are 26 miles of asphaltsurfaced trails, perfect for pedestrians and cyclists. River Parks has varied landscapes from the manicured lawns by the water to the rocky terrain of Turkey Mountain. One of the trails runs through the western perimeter of Gathering Place, linking the two parks.

River Parks is home to the Folds of Honor FreedomFest, Tulsa’s July 4th celebration, and Oktoberfest.

Fishing, rowing and kayaking are some of the other activities available on the river itself. Places to eat along the banks of the Arkansas River include the Sand Bar restaurant and Yard Bar outdoor cafe. The hundreds of acres that make up River Parks are reserved for wildlife habitation and land preservation. Multiple wildlife sculptures dot the area, along with playgrounds and fountains. riverparks.org

Gathering Place

Gathering Place is Tulsa’s $465 million riverfront park. In its 70 acres, guests can traverse the Chapman Adventure Playground to find towers, slides, climbing features and numerous play

gardens. The Boathouse holds the Cabinet of Wonder, a collection of inquisitive items and thought-provoking displays. Grab a seat on the east-facing deck to catch a view of Peggy’s Pond. Sit with an ice cream inside the Williams Lodge. A robust calendar of events includes everything from children’s storytime under the trees to cultural celebrations and seasonal festivals.

Discovery Lab, a 57,000-square-foot educational center, opened next door to Gathering Place in early 2022 and boasts numerous exhibits and science-based learning opportunities for children of all ages.

Work continues on Williams Crossing, a $34 million project to connect the east and west

A new trail system debuted in September in southwest Tulsa’s Bales Park, 5801 S. Union Ave. A generous $190,000 donation from community partners funded the construction of 3.4 miles of trails at the park. The trail system is within walking distance of the nearby Parkview Terrace apartments and is part of a grassroots effort to improve the quality of life in this part of Tulsa.

banks of the Arkansas River via a pedestrian bridge near East 31st Street and Riverside Drive. gatheringplace.org

Tulsa City Parks

Managed by the Tulsa Parks Department, 135 parks dot Tulsa. Oxley Nature Center resides in Mohawk Park, the largest city park, which boasts the Tulsa Zoo, a 36-hole disc golf course, as well as numerous pavilions, playgrounds and trails. Its 18-hole golf course received a $250,000 donation from the PGA of America Foundation, which kicked off the Citizens Golf Advisory Committee’s fundraising efforts for improvements and repairs at the city’s four public golf courses.

Six community centers offer Tulsans various amenities such as fitness facilities, art studios and meeting rooms. The parks department is responsible for the upkeep of 57 miles of walking trails, nearly 100 playgrounds and two skate parks. Dog-lovers can be found in the three dog parks around the city. A plethora of water sports facilities — including five swimming pools, 13 water playgrounds and 18 splash pads — offer spots to cool off during an Oklahoma summer. tulsaparks.org

Tulsa County Parks

Eleven sites make up the County-led Parks System. On a summer day, Tulsans can be found at Chandler Park grilling hot dogs, sharing picnics and hiking in the scenic westside park, which sits on 192 acres of wooded land between Tulsa and Sand Springs. It houses a community center, splash park, two playgrounds and outdoor basketball courts.

In the heart of Tulsa sits LaFortune Park, a 270-acre site that hosts more than 100,000 visitors a year with an 18-hole championship golf course and lighted driving range, the nationally recognized Case Tennis Center with 24 courts and a 5K trail that encompasses the park. During pleasant weather, the many picnic shelters, baseball fields, playgrounds and fishing ponds are abuzz with activity. tulsacounty.org/parks

Above: In August 2022, Tulsa Zoo welcomed the birth of an infant siamang, a type of Indonesian lesser ape. Tulsa Zoo is Green Country’s largest paid daily attraction.

Below: In September, Mayor G.T. Bynum, Tulsa Parks officials and community partners announced plans to build an inclusive playground at Whiteside Park, 4009 S. Pittsburg Ave. When completed, this new playground will be one of the most inclusive play spaces in the state. An inclusive playground is more than wheelchair ramps and accessibility — it is designed with all users in mind to engage children and adults with a wide range of abilities.

Tourism

By Renee McKenney, President, Tulsa Regional Tourism

The third largest industry in the state, tourism has never been stronger in Tulsa. With a combination of world class attractions like Philbrook Museum and state-of-the-art Greenwood Rising Black Wall Street history center — along with major sporting events such as the Certified Piedmontese IRONMAN Tulsa and annual USA BMX Grand Nationals — tourism is a significant economic driver for our city. From unique outdoor experiences including the 66acre, $465 million Gathering Place riverfront park and Turkey Mountain Urban Wilderness Area, to cultural meccas like Leon Russell’s Church Studio, the historic Cain’s Ballroom and beyond, Tulsa has something to offer tourists of all ages and backgrounds.

In 2020, 7.2 million people visited Tulsa and spent $800 million, generating a total economic impact of $1.2 billion, according to an annual study by Oxford Economics. Tulsa welcomed 9.4 million visitors in 2021, including 6.2 million day visitors and 3.2 million overnight visitors. These visitors spent $1.2 billion across Tulsa, generating a total economic impact of $1.7 billion, according to Oxford Economics. Local tourism supports more than 14,700 jobs in Tulsa and the $479 million in total income sustained by tourism is the equivalent of $2,900 for every household in Tulsa. Additionally, the state and local taxes sustained by tourism offsets $550 in taxes for each household in our city.

These numbers reflect the hard work of Tulsa Regional Tourism — the Tulsa Regional Chamber’s destination marketing organization — to attract visitors to our city. People are choosing to visit Tulsa in significantly greater numbers during the past decade. And while the COVID-19 pandemic impacted that momentum in 2020, overall visitor spending in 2021 saw a 45% increase over the previous year and was only under 1% lower than 2019. Tulsa’s value as a major tourism destination is back on the rise and that’s been made easier by the increase of visitworthy offerings within our region.

For example, the highly anticipated Bob Dylan Center opened in May 2022, luring fans from around the world and garnering attention from “Condé Nast Traveler,” “Architectural Digest” and

The Church Studio opened for tours in 2022. The historic setting, formerly owned by music legend Leon Russell, is a monument to the Tulsa Sound. The site is a recording studio, museum and live music venue that hosts special performances throughout the year.

Osage Casino Hotel

Osage Casino Hotel is one of Tulsa’s most popular places to enjoy live music performances, delicious dining, luxury resort hotel stays, group conventions, and more. This vibrant, future-focused gaming and entertainment organization continues to lead the way in bringing new, cutting-edge entertainment opportunities to northeast Oklahoma.

Located just a few short minutes from the heart of downtown Tulsa, Osage Casino Hotel offers memorable, fun-filled experiences that have guests returning again and again. With 286 luxury rooms including 21 suites and 7 hospitality rooms, as well as a resort-style pool and hot tub, Osage Casino Hotel is ideal for your next relaxing staycation, romantic

getaway, celebration with family and friends, or business meeting.

In the beautiful, state-of-the-art Skyline Event Center, concertgoers experience electrifying performances by world-class entertainers such as Wynonna Judd, Kenny Loggins, The Commodores and KC and the Sunshine Band. Tasty meals await in the buzzing, energetic atmosphere of Thunder Bar and Grill. From high-stakes gaming tables to the latest in gaming machines, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

And there’s plenty more fun to look forward to as Osage Casinos continues to expand and offer bigger, more vibrant experiences

for northeast Oklahoma. Plans to open new state of the art Casinos in Bartlesville and Pawhuska are planned for late 2023. Set on new, larger location sites to bring the best in entertainment to the region, state-of-the-art sites will offer visitors brand-new, spacious casino floors, elegant hotel suites, meeting rooms and spa-like pools, allowing guests to enjoy refreshing, relaxing overnight stays.

Plan your next exciting getaway with a stay at Osage Casino Hotel Tulsa. Follow the fun on Instagram and Facebook @OsageCasinos or visit osagecasino.com to learn more.

more. Tulsa continues solidifying the “Capital of Route 66” moniker with publications like “Thrillist” and “USA Today” citing historic highlights on our 28-mile stretch of the Mother Road like Oklahoma’s first food hall Mother Road Market and Buck Atom’s Cosmic Curios — plus its Crash Pad Airbnb. Additionally, experts at “CNN Travel” named Tulsa as a top place to travel in the world in 2022, and Tulsa’s already on the list of “Good Housekeeping” cities to visit in February 2023.

The cycle of economic success from the Tulsa region’s tourism industry is strong and growing stronger. Thanks to the hard work of Tulsa Regional Tourism staff, board members, volunteers and investors, we have gained distinction as a welcoming city for diverse events and visitors.

Housed at the Tulsa Regional Chamber, Tulsa Regional Tourism is an umbrella organization that includes Visit Tulsa, the leisure marketing leg; the Tulsa Convention and Visitors Bureau; the Tulsa Office of Film, Music, Arts and Culture, an accredited film commission; and the Tulsa Sports Commission, which markets Tulsa as a destination for pro and amateur sporting events.

Tulsa Regional Tourism assists in the community’s bidding for, and hosting of, signature events such as NCAA Division I men’s basketball, NCAA Division I and the Big 12 Wrestling Championships, USA BMX Grand Nationals, the PGA and Senior PGA Championships, the Arabian Horse Association’s U.S. Nationals, the Pinto Horse Association World Championship Show, the Chili Bowl Midget Nationals indoor car racing, the SeneGence International Evolve Seminar, and many more events and conferences.

For fiscal year from July 2021-June 2022, the total economic impact of the conferences and events Tulsa hosted was $359 million. More than 231,000 hotel room nights were booked along the way. Tulsa Regional Tourism brought in 316 event leads to the region against a goal of 260. As in previous years, the best news is that we are continuing to add to our tourism portfolio as a region.

Case in point: Tulsa will host the biggest USA Taekwondo Team Trial in history at the Cox Business Convention Center in February 2023. After successfully hosting the June 2022 USA Taekwondo Central Grand Prix, it was easy for Tulsa to land this massive event. In fact, this

will be the first time the US Team Trial and Pan Am Games Qualifier Team Trial have ever been combined. The event will bring a total economic impact of more than $1.5 million to the Tulsa region, along with 2,000 attendees who have booked more than 1,800 hotel room nights.

Beyond sports and large conferences, Tulsa is also gaining a reputation as a hub for creativity of all types, including music, film and the visual arts. To better support our growing creative community, Tulsa FMAC maintains a regional creativity database and promotes Tulsa’s talent and assets at events like South by Southwest and the Sundance Film Festival. In fact, Tulsa continues to make “MovieMaker Magazine’s” Best Cities to Live and Work as a Moviemaker, reaching No. 5 on the list of Small Cities and Towns in 2022 and elevating to the large cities category for the first time in 2023 at No. 19 of the top 25 in North America.

Despite the challenges to tourism as a result of the pandemic, Tulsa’s tourism outlook remains strong, and with the most recent Oxford Economics study findings there is every reason to believe it will grow even stronger in the years ahead.

Tulsa’s Southern Hills Country Club hosted the 2022 PGA Championship, which brought an estimated 40,000 visitors per day to the famed course May 19-22. According to Tulsa Regional Chamber, the total estimated economic impact of $158 million makes this the largest single event in local history.

Our Neighbors

Bixby

Booming with new housing developments, Bixby continues to be one of the fastest-growing communities in the state.

Along with the well-rounded Bixby Public Schools system, the 114-acre Bentley Sports Complex is one of the most all-encompassing youth parks in Oklahoma, featuring baseball, softball, soccer, rodeo grounds, a playground and a splash pad.

In 2022, the $30 million Iconik Bixby downtown development project was announced. It will include luxury apartments, a parking structure and retail space.

Broken Arrow

It may not be Portland, but Oklahoma has its own “City of Roses” in Broken Arrow, the second largest city in Tulsa County. The city’s Rose District is a pedestrian-friendly cultural center.

The Broken Arrow Performing Arts Center is a 1,500-seat venue that hosts local professional shows and touring performers, in addition to all the concerts and productions put on by Broken Arrow Public Schools’ fine arts program.

Broken Arrow Senior High School is the largest high school in Oklahoma, aside from virtual charter schools. It is home to the Pride of Broken Arrow, one of the foremost competitive marching bands in the country.

Jenks

Jenks is full of the personable charm, hospitality and a quaint atmosphere typical in small town USA. One can get a taste of this just strolling down Main Street, shopping for treasures in its many antique shops, or chatting with friends at local cafes.

The Jenks Public School system is highly regarded, and its high school is known for strong athletic programs.

The suburb has a booming housing market with many homes near amenities like Riverwalk, a dining and entertainment destination, as well as South Lakes Golf Course.

Owasso

Northeast of Tulsa is the friendly and thriving city of Owasso. Tulsa’s Port of Catoosa is just a short drive away. American Airlines, Macy’s Distribution Center and Whirlpool Corp. are Owasso’s largest employers.

Owasso is home to three golf courses: Bailey Ranch Golf Club, a 400-acre public course; Owasso Golf and Athletic Club, an 18-hole course on about 145 acres; and The Patriot Golf Club, named by “Golfweek” as one of the nation’s top modern courses in 2017.

Sand Springs

Founded in 1908 by philanthropist Charles Page, Sand Springs is a bustling community with nearly 20,000 residents.

Located within a short drive to Keystone Lake and just a stone’s throw away from the Arkansas River, Sand Springs is an idyllic location for those who love to fish or spend a day out on the water.

Its economy is proudly based on the promotion of small businesses; however, it is also home to Webco Industries, one of North America’s largest

suppliers of industrial tubing products. The city’s largest employer is Sand Springs Public Schools.

Sapulpa

Sapulpa was founded as a trading post in 1850 by Chief Sapulpa of the Kasihta tribe. Fifty years later, oil was discovered just six miles away, and the resulting economic boom put the town on the map. The town’s history includes a thriving manufacturing industry and is well-known regionally as a producer of brick and glass. Perhaps best known of its local companies is Frankoma Pottery, famous for its distinctive use of local red clay.

Sapulpa’s downtown features many buildings designed by Belgian architect Joseph Foucart, known for several notable buildings in Guthrie, Oklahoma.

To the delight of Route 66 enthusiasts, the heart of Sapulpa contains several miles of the original two-lane road. The annual Route 66 Blowout car show and festival entertains tourists and locals with vintage cars, family-friendly activities and great dining.

Downtown Sapulpa

Tulsa’s Native Heritage

By Kristi Eaton and Tim Landes

Tulsa sits at the confluence of three tribal nations: Muscogee, Cherokee and Osage.

In the 1830s, a group of Muscogee arrived in Indian Territory from their ancestral lands in present-day Georgia and Alabama. They created a new town called Talasi that would later transform into Tulsa.

Since then, the City of Tulsa and the tribal nations have created a shared idea toward prosperity.

“The City of Tulsa works hand in hand with tribal governments on a variety of projects to further develop the Tulsa community. Mayor G.T. Bynum thinks the world of the tribal leaders we have in the Cherokee, Muscogee and Osage Nations as they have been incredibly important collaborators with him during his time as mayor, and they will continue to be in the future,” the City of Tulsa said in a prepared statement.

The City Council has created a new Tribal Nations Relations Committee to create a more direct dialogue between the City Council and the tribes to better serve the citizens they are all elected to represent. In November 2021, the City also renamed Veterans Park to Dream Keepers Park in honor of Native American contributions to the city.

“In these modern times, particularly the past couple of decades, the relationship has just become so positive over time, producing so many great results for Cherokee Nation and the City of Tulsa,” Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. said.

Cherokee Nation, he notes, has been heavily involved in food security and works with the Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma, the Tulsa Area United Way and the Tulsa Dream Center, among other organizations.

In 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled Congress never “disestablished” Muscogee Nation’s reservation status, and overturned the conviction of Jimcy McGirt, who was retried in federal court and sentenced to life. This means offenders who are Indigenous can face federal charges depending on the crime. Because the City of Tulsa sits on three tribal reservations, many local law enforcement officers are cross-deputized with tribal police departments.

Cherokee Nation, is the largest tribe in the United States with more than 400,000 citizens — 141,000-plus within the nation’s boundaries in Oklahoma — and is one of the largest employers in the region, offering numerous career opportunities through Cherokee Nation Businesses. Cherokee Nation also partners with the local municipalities through its career services program to help fill jobs at large business operations like the Macy’s Fulfillment Center and Amazon Distribution Center.

Cherokee Nation’s Film Office incentivizes productions to film in the area. The tribe opened a 27,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art soundstage in Owasso. In late 2022, CNFO won Film Commission Initiative of the Year during the 2022 Makers and Shakers Awards ceremony held at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts headquarters in London. The tribe’s film office was the only finalist from the United States to be nominated for the international honor.

Speaking of film and television, in 2021, Osage Nation hosted production of the Martin Scorsese

movie “Killers of the Flower Moon,” which filmed scenes in Tulsa. There’s also local filmmaker Sterlin Harjo (Seminole/Muscogee), who co-created the highly acclaimed FX Networks show “Reservation Dogs” then filmed it in the area, creating more than $10 million in economic impact, according to the Oklahoma Film and Music Office.

In early 2023 Osage Nation officials broke ground on Wahzhazhe Connect, a $54.5 million broadband expansion project that will dramatically increase internet connectivity throughout the Osage Nation service area.

In 2019, the Muscogee Nation announced it had an economic impact of $866 million in Oklahoma in 2017, supporting 8,700 jobs that paid $303 million in wages and benefits to workers, with many of those jobs based in Tulsa. That same year, Cherokee Nation announced an economic impact of over $2 billion, including more than $836 million in wages and benefits and more than 9,600 in direct employment with many of those jobs in the Tulsa area.

Cherokee Nation Deputy Chief Bryan Warner, third from right, and Cherokee Nation Film Office staff visit with cast and crew on the set of “A Christmas ... Present,” filmed entirely within the Cherokee Nation Reservation.

Demographics

By Barbara Gibson, Indian Nations Council of Governments (INCOG)

The Tulsa Metropolitan Statistical Area is made up of Tulsa County and six surrounding counties: Creek, Okmulgee, Osage, Pawnee, Rogers and Wagoner. According to the Census Bureau, the 2021 population estimate for the Tulsa MSA was 1,023,988 — an increase of over 85,510 people since 2010, achieving the 1-million-person count necessary for designation as one of the nation’s major metropolitan areas, which is important for economic development opportunities. Tulsa County claims over 65% of the MSA population, with a population estimate of 672,858 in 2021.

The City of Tulsa’s 2010 population was reported by the Census Bureau to be 391,906. The 2021 population estimate for Tulsa shows the city growing by over 19,000 people to a total of 411,401. Many of Tulsa’s neighboring communities have continued to grow, as well. Reports for surrounding communities, based on 2021 Census estimates list population in Bixby, 29,242; Broken Arrow, 116,330; Collinsville 8,346; Glenpool 13,859; Jenks, 26,661; Owasso, 38,732; Sand Springs, 19,973; and Sapulpa, 22,213.

The most recent data from the American Community Survey 2021 reports the City of Tulsa’s population has grown by 5.0% since 2010. The white race group has declined by more than 12% over the past 10 years as a percent of the total city population. The race group of African American also has seen a decline over the decade by 5.8%. The race group categories of Asian, Native Hawaiian and Two or more races have significantly increased in the 10-year time span. These shifts in the racial makeup of the City’s population are partially due to the way in which people identified with the change in the race categories when filling out their census forms. All minority groups together represent over 44% of the City of Tulsa population. The Hispanic community accounts for 17% of the City’s population and an increase of 27% since 2010.

POPULATION DENSITY TULSA COUNTY BLOCK GROUPS

The number of housing units in the city has increased by more than 7,000 units over the past 10 years with 89% of those being occupied today. The housing stock has over 62% single family homes with an average of 2.3 persons per household. The population of our citizens continues to age with the 62 to 79 years of age group growing over 21% since 2010. More than half (50.9%) of our population falls within the working age group of 25 to 64 years of age.

CITY OF TULSA BY RACE GROUPS 2020 CENSUS DATA

WHITE – 56%

BLACK OR AFRICAN AMERICAN – 14%

AMERICAN INDIAN OR ALASKA NATIVE – 5%

ASIAN – 3%

NATIVE HAWAIIAN AND OTHER PACIFIC ISLANDER – 0%

SOME OTHER RACE – 6%

TWO OR MORE RACES – 16%

SOURCE: U.S. BUREAU OF THE CENSUS ACS 5-YEAR DATA SET 2021

Transportation

By Patricia Dinoa, INCOG Principal Transportation Planner; and Jane Ziegler, INCOG Senior Transportation Planner

Tulsa’s updated PlanIt Tulsa comprehensive planning efforts continue initiatives related to livable, context-sensitive design options surrounding public infrastructure that can be sustained with available funding. The Indian Nations Council of Governments has been studying these efforts as public interest seems to be at its peak for making a change in transportation investments and finding safe alternatives to personal transportation to keep up with mobility needs.

Since INCOG adopted the GO Plan, the regional bicycle/pedestrian masterplan, in 2015, followed by the City of Tulsa adoption in 2017, the City has implemented approximately 60 lane miles of bicycle infrastructure and filled in many more miles of sidewalk gaps. This plan still provides a blueprint at the planning level for regional connectivity and focus to bicycle travel, as well as pedestrian treatments in the region.

In addition to creating safer streets by designing and implementing a public right-of-way that accommodates all ages and abilities, a goal of the GO Plan is to inform and educate the public about “rules of the road.” INCOG’s Travel With Care program is funded through the Oklahoma Highway Safety office, and includes many facets. In 2022, Travel With Care posted educational commercials on Facebook and YouTube that included safety messages such as “yield to pedestrians” and new traffic rules passed at the featured state level. A video that Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell highlighted the decrease in crashes on 11th Street due to the “Safe Streets for All” configuration that included bike lanes and continental crosswalks. Pinnell highlighted the connection between safer streets, economic development and tourism on Route 66 and how this benefits the City of Tulsa. In addition to videos and safety messages on Facebook and Instagram, Travel With Care attended numerous public events in the City of Tulsa to talk with kids about bicycle and pedestrian safety.

In 2022, both INCOG and the Oklahoma Department of Transportation were awarded federal funding from the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity grant program for two projects located within the City of Tulsa. INCOG’s Tulsa-Jenks Multi-Modal

Safety Project is a $20.25 million regional trail and road safety project. USDOT awarded INCOG $16.2 million, the City of Tulsa committed $3 million in local match funds, and the City of Jenks committed $1.05 million. The project includes 7.5 miles of new or improved paved multi-use trails on both the east and west banks of the Arkansas River, and safety improvements at eight arterial intersections that includes better ADA access, pedestrian signal improvements and median refuges.

USDOT awarded ODOT $10 million for a $15.5 million project to reconnect neighborhoods in west Tulsa to River Parks and Turkey Mountain Urban Wilderness via a new sidewalk along a reconnected West 51st Street, which was severed when the highway was constructed. For many years, the existing railroad and U.S. Highway 75 have been a barrier for these residents to easily access these amenities.

INCOG continues to work with the City of Tulsa and its partners to keep a pulse on transportation technology trends that affect

1 DOES NOT INCLUDE WATER, RAIL, POSTAL OR SCENIC TOUR TRANSPORTATION. SOURCE: U.S. CENSUS BUREAU, NOVEMBER, 2021.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg speaks in Tulsa in August to highlight a new grant that will reconstruct West 51st Street to reconnect neighborhoods in west Tulsa that were divided by U.S. Highway 75.

the entire region. After four years of the first launch of shared micromobility in the form of e-scooters and bike share in downtown Tulsa, INCOG believes micromobility as an alternative to single-occupancy vehicles is here to stay. Shared micromobility is a convenient mode of transportation for a first and last mile connector to use in conjunction with public transit, for a short trip a couple blocks away, or to hop across downtown to meet up with friends and family.

Another innovation is the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program. INCOG’s Clean Cities program is working with the state and regional partners to strategically deploy EV charging infrastructure and establish an interconnected network that will connect the national interstate system to local road networks.

An update of INCOG’s Regional Long-Range Transportation Plan, Connected 2050, was adopted in November 2022. The new plan is a federally mandated policy document that identifies a vision and addresses the transportation needs of the Tulsa region.

The 2050 Plan update develops a specific set of actions to improve safety for all transportation users, achieve adequate roadway capacity, improve maintenance standards and advance Intelligent Transportation System strategies in the Tulsa Metropolitan Area. The plan calls for the detailed study of several high-traffic and high-growth corridors and the implementation of commuter-choice options.

The Gilcrease Turnpike in west Tulsa, a part of the Driving Forward Oklahoma Turnpike program, opened in 2022. Partnership between ODOT, INCOG and the City of Tulsa enabled OTA to break ground in 2020 and opened last year. The expressway connects Interstate 44 to U.S. Highway 412 and includes a 10-foot-wide concrete trail for bicycles and pedestrians from the Katy Trail to West 51st Street.

In 2016, the City of Tulsa voters approved a local tax package to support Bus Rapid Transit investments for both capital and operational funding, including the Peoria Bus Rapid Transit line. Bus Rapid Transit is a premium fixed-route bus service that provides faster and more reliable

travel times than the existing services as well as limited stops and shorter wait times at each station. This project was completed and began operations in winter 2019. The second BRT is planned to travel east-west, on a combination of 11th and 21st Streets, including much of Route 66. This project is in design and expected to be operational by early 2025.

MTTA is actively developing its on-demand, micro-transit service with a pilot deployment planned for spring 2023 and a full deployment of Nightline and Sunday on-demand service planned for summer 2023. These projects, once implemented, will foster economic development along the corridors and significantly improve the mobility needs of all Tulsans.

Tulsa Port of Catoosa opened in 1971 and is located five miles from Tulsa. Oklahoma is linked to national and international ports with 445 miles of waterway, which is easily accessible by the interstate highway system. The port industrial complex covers 2,000 acres and is home to 70 companies employing nearly 3,200 people. More than 2 million tons of cargo are shipped through the port annually on 1,000 barges. The Port of Catoosa has an annual economic impact of over $300 million to Oklahoma.

Tulsa International Airport was established in 1928 encompassing more than 4,000 acres just 10 minutes northeast of downtown Tulsa. It presently covers 4,360 acres and operates with three runways, along with parallel and connecting taxiways that provide aircraft access to the airport terminal and other airport facilities. Air carrier, general aviation, military and air taxi aircraft utilize these runways. The airport plays an important role in the economic vitality of the region providing not only commercial benefits (moving more than 60,000 tons of cargo each year), but also service for business and leisure travelers. More than 3 million passengers travel through the airport each year.

INCOG will continue to collaborate with its regional partners to create safer roads for all modes of transportation to decrease traffic crashes and fatalities, and to efficiently move goods and services between and through the Tulsa Metropolitan Region.

Hillcrest HealthCare System

Hillcrest HealthCare System was founded in 1918 as Morningside, a small hospital that opened during a nationwide influenza epidemic. It has grown into eight hospitals, including Hillcrest Medical Center, Hillcrest Hospital South and Tulsa Spine and Specialty Hospital in Tulsa, and five regional hospitals including Hillcrest Claremore, Hillcrest Cushing, Hillcrest Henryetta, Hillcrest Pryor and Bailey Medical Center in Owasso. The system also has 80-plus comprehensive primary and specialty care clinics through Utica Park Clinic and Oklahoma Heart Institute.

Hillcrest operates the Alexander Burn Center, the only burn center in northeast Oklahoma and one of two in the state. Bailey Medical Center is an award-winning leader in bariatric medicine.

Hillcrest employs more than 6,400 individuals and is a steadfast supporter in the Tulsa area, providing more than $730,000 in community support in 2021.

Visit hillcrest.com for more information.

Utilities

Adequate, reliable sources of electricity, natural gas and water are essential to a community’s quality of life and to its economic prosperity. Tulsa’s utility needs are met by dedicated providers attuned to the future.

Electricity

Public Service Company of Oklahoma serves more than 568,000 customers in 232 communities with safe, reliable, affordable power … as it has for more than 100 years.

PSO is part of the American Electric Power (Nasdaq: AEP) family, one of the nation’s largest utility companies. In Oklahoma, PSO and AEP employees total 1,600, including some 1,100 in the Tulsa area.

PSO and AEP are active corporate citizens. PSO and its employees contributed a record $450,206 to six Oklahoma United Way efforts in 2022.

PSO’s investment in diversified energy sources passed a significant milestone in 2022 — the opening of Traverse wind farm — the final and largest piece of the North Central Energy Facilities (NCEF) and the largest wind farm built at one time in North America. The three wind farms of the NCEF are expected to save PSO customers $1 billion in fuel costs over their 30-year life. PSO has proposed adding an additional 1,149.5 megawatts of renewable energy to its generation fleet as a further hedge against the inflationary effects of fuel costs.

In 2022, PSO welcomed Leigh Anne Strahler as president and chief operating officer. The company also was recognized as a champion of U.S. military veterans by the Oklahoma Veterans Alliance, and, for the 10th consecutive year, as one of the area’s top inclusive workplaces by Tulsa Regional Chamber’s Mosaic program.

— Wayne Greene, PSO

Natural Gas

Serving Tulsa since 1906, Oklahoma Natural Gas provides reliable natural gas distribution services to more than 900,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in Oklahoma. It has

TULSA UTILITY COSTS / TYPICAL MONTHLY BILL

1 ONLY A MINORITY OF VOLUMES ARE SOLD DIRECTLY BY THE LOCAL DISTRIBUTION COMPANY TO THE END-USERS. LARGE COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL CUSTOMERS SHOULD CONTACT OKLAHOMA NATURAL GAS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OFFICE FOR SPECIFIC COSTS.

MOST VOLUMES ARE TRANSPORTED, MEANING OKLAHOMA NATURAL GAS TRANSPORTS THE GAS TO CUSTOMERS WHO PURCHASE THE GAS FROM A THIRD-PARTY SUPPLIER.

2 WATER AND SEWER RATES ARE BASED ON COST PER THOUSAND GALLONS. ADDITIONAL CHARGES MAY APPLY. RATES DO NOT INCLUDE MONTHLY METER CHARGES, WHICH DEPEND ON THE SIZE OF THE METER. RATES AS OF NOVEMBER 1, 2022. SOURCES: U.S. ENERGY INFORMATION ADMINISTRATION AND CITY OF TULSA WATER AND SEWER DEPARTMENT, 2022. REPORT PREPARED BY RESEARCH WIZARD, TULSA CITY-COUNTY LIBRARY.

24,671 miles of distribution mains and services lines statewide. Committed to delivering natural gas for a better tomorrow, Oklahoma Natural Gas provides a reliable and affordable energy source to customers that improves the quality of life in Oklahoma communities and helps local economies thrive. Oklahoma Natural Gas is a division of Tulsa-based ONE Gas Inc. (NYSE: OGS), a 100% regulated natural gas distribution company serving more than 2.2 million customers in Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas.

— Leah Harper, Oklahoma Natural Gas

Water

The City of Tulsa supplies drinking water to approximately 140,600 metered accounts in the City and more than 600,000 people in the metropolitan area. Treatment plants, distribution lines and other infrastructure have been built and upgraded over the years to keep pace with Tulsa’s growing need for high quality drinking water. Tulsa’s water delivery system is ready to handle future needs, with a treatment capacity of 220 million gallons per day. Average daily use is 113.8 million gallons per day. — Lara Weber, City of Tulsa

Public Service Company of Oklahoma

With nearly 1,700 employees — 1,100 in the Tulsa area alone — PSO has the workforce and the experience to safely deliver reliable, affordable power to Tulsa’s homes and businesses.

Tulsa-based Public Service Company of Oklahoma serves more than 568,000 customers, powering a cleaner, brighter energy future.

Since 1913, PSO has been building Oklahoma. Initially serving six cities — Tulsa, Vinita, Lehigh, Guthrie, Atoka and Coalgate — PSO has spread its reach to 232 Oklahoma communities statewide from Afton in northeast Oklahoma’s Ottawa County to Hollis in the southwest corner.

Safe, affordable, reliable power are the daily commitments of PSO. With approximately 3,800 megawatts of diverse generating capacity — primarily wind and natural gas — PSO energizes Oklahoma’s future growth and prosperity.

When the Traverse wind farm in Blaine and Custer counties went into commercial operations in March, PSO completed its North Central Energy Facilities, three wind farms that produce enough fuel-free energy to power 440,000 homes. Traverse is the largest wind farm built at one time in North America, a complement to PSO’s foundation of natural gas-powered generation units in Tulsa,

Jenks, Oologah, Lawton, Weleetka and Anadarko. PSO has proposed additional fuel-free power facilities — wind and solar — to further shield PSO customers against the inflationary forces of high fuel prices.

The North American electrical grid is the largest and most complex machine built by man. Maintaining its resiliency requires constant vigilance and investment. PSO maintains and operates more than 24,000 miles of distribution lines and 3,700 miles of transmission lines. With nearly 1,700 employees — 1,100 in the Tulsa area alone — PSO has the workforce and the experience to safely deliver reliable, affordable power to Tulsa’s homes and businesses.

PSO is a unit of American Electric Power, based in Columbus, Ohio. Being part of a multistate investor-owned company gives PSO financial power to invest in grid resilience and diversity. Also being part of our larger, multistate company provides a broad depth of in-house knowledge and resources — thousands of engineers and line workers

available to bolster PSO’s base of experience and skills and further ensure dependable, affordable power for PSO’s customers.

Service is an integral part of PSO’s culture. In 2022, PSO employees and the AEP Foundation raised a record $450,000 for six United Way agencies across the state. Whether it’s marching in the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. parade or helping clean and rebuild the town of Idabel after an EF-4 tornado destroyed more than 100 homes, PSO and its workers are dedicated to helping their fellow Oklahomans.

Find news releases and other information at PSOklahoma.com. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, NextDoor and Instagram

@PSOklahoma

Environmental Management

By Michael Patton, Land Legacy

Tulsa is filled with environmental challenges and opportunities. Like most major U.S. cities, challenges are found in providing drinking water, maintaining reliable infrastructure, and even mobilizing citizens to act on particular days that require action. Tulsa did well in 2022 and continues to set a standard for environmental management in local and surrounding communities.

Tulsa provides great water from a combination of Spavinaw, Eucha and Oologah lakes, in addition to having contracts to obtain raw water from Lake Hudson. These different watersheds are abundant, and the City of Tulsa has built and paid for waterlines as large as 72 inches in diameter. There are two storage lakes within the city limits that contain another 3.2 billion gallons of raw water. Water capacity is wonderful for the some 500,000 people in the city limits and select suburban areas that contract with Tulsa to provide drinking water. The two water treatment plants also have great capacity; the Mohawk plant can treat 100 million gallons and the A.B. Jewell plant can treat 120 million gallons per day. This is almost double the capacity of the average daily usage of 102 million gallons, and well above the 183 million gallons per day average for the highest usage month of July. The City of Tulsa had no violations of any EPA rules this past year. Violations can come from many sources: erosion, runoff, corrosion of pipes, and even waterfowl in the lakes.

Maintaining reliable infrastructure can be quite a challenge for a community. Tulsa voters have been very supportive when asked to fund improvements for infrastructure. In 2022, many of those improvements came to fruition or made significant progress. Tulsans funded levee improvements as well as a low-water dam along the river, new trails in east and west Tulsa, and new improvements to the city-owned facilities at the airport. The capital budget for the year includes $68 million for roads, $58 million for water system improvements, and $30 million for sewer improvements among others for a total of $337 million capital improvements appropriations in the current budget.

The most visible of the improvements is a new, iconic pedestrian bridge being built over the Arkansas River. Dubbed Williams Crossing, the 18 foot-wide, 1,440-foot-long bridge was partially funded by $15 million of approved sales tax dollars. Local companies and foundations assisted with private funding, raising almost an additional $20 million. The bridge is expected to open in 2023.

The largest challenge for Tulsa last year was air quality. While Tulsa has avoided the “dirty air” list of communities (most of the large cities in the region are in non-attainment), each year can bring a different challenge. 2022 was tough trying to manage normal summer days. Tulsa had no exceedances in 2020 and three days of high

levels in 2021. However, 2022 showed 12 days with high ozone levels — spanning from March to mid-October. These days had almost no wind, and transport issues contributed to bringing in pollution from other areas. Violations were just slightly over the current newer lower limits. The rules use a three-year rolling average of your worst days and Tulsa is still more than 4% below the regulatory number. Citizens avoided extra driving trips on ozone alert days and small engine devices like mower usage was postponed and used more efficiently on windy days. Tulsa Transit offered free bus rides from the middle of July until the middle of September as a way to help the community improve air quality.

These actions and programs help define how Tulsa addresses the challenges and opportunities of environmental management. Tulsa has invested in water programs and continues to fund necessary improvements to help keep the city’s water pristine and abundant. When Tulsa is faced with potentially unhealthy air quality, citizens continually step up and local leaders provide additional incentives. These actions, from all segments of the community, help Tulsa remain a leader in environmental management.

Oologah Lake

ANNE BROCKMAN

American Waste Control

Tulsa’s Murph 2.0 recycling facility took on its first holiday rush since its upgrade. The facility is now equipped with state-of-the-art AI Robotics and advanced Optical Sorters, which makes it Oklahoma’s most technologically advanced recycling facility and the state’s most advanced materials recovery facility (MRF). Mr. Murph 2.0 is a new system that can process 33 percent more recyclables (53,000 lbs per hour) with improved performance to handle mixed recyclables within a 100-mile radius of Tulsa.

American Waste Control, the company that runs the facility, has big plans to educate the next generation of recyclers. Recently they have launched the “Feed Mr. Murph” game (iOS & Play), which is a fun and interactive way to teach children about the importance of recycling. The game is well received with over 1,000 downloads.

When you recycle with American Waste Control’s Feed Mr. Murph program, 95% of the recyclables stay in Oklahoma and 100% stay within the United States. This supports Oklahoma jobs and

the economy and serves as a model for keeping recyclables domestically. To schedule a tour of the facility or learn more about what is accepted and not accepted in the Mr. Murph program, visit FeedMrMurph.com

Oklahoma Disaster Restoration

Oklahoma Disaster Restoration (ODR) is a familyowned and operated business in Tulsa. Founded in 1988, ODR employs technicians who are certified in disaster restoration and reconstruction services.

“Our company utilizes state-of-the-art technology and equipment, and a highly trained staff for perils such as fire, water, sewer, mold and bio-hazard,” says Jay Stokes, president and co-owner of ODR with his wife, Tammy Stokes, who is general manager. “We do personal property restoration and reconstruction on homes that have been through those perils.”

Oklahoma Disaster Restoration offers:

Rapid Response Disaster Mitigation: The ODR team responds to calls within an hour, 24 hours a day. Callers talk to a live person with the experience to guide them through what can otherwise be a traumatic situation. We are a first responder for your disaster!

Quality Workmanship: ODR’s team is highly skilled in treating water and smoke damaged items, and offers a commitment to satisfaction and happiness with the outcome.

The Right Contractor: ODR can work as the general contractor to assume clients receive quality repairs to their home or and less down time for their business. It is a second-generation owned company that adheres to these core values: perseverance, integrity, compassion, urgency, and stewardship.

Commercial Restoration: ODR is the one to call for your business property needs, too. Our seasoned project managers have the experience to put a business back together quickly with less down time. ODR also helps small and medium businesses plan ahead by setting up Emergency Response Plans (using its app ODR Zero Hour) to prepare for unexpected disasters. ODR helps you keep your business open.

“The difference is in our people and company culture. ODR is a great company for our employees. We invest in our team making our members more valuable to us, their families, and our customers,” notes Tammy Stokes.

6565 E. 42nd St. | 918-992-4ODR okdisaster.com

Robert Pickens, Vice President of Recycling for American Waste Control, standing in front of Tulsa’s only materials recovery facility, Mr. Murph, in North Tulsa.

Jay and Tammy Stokes

Oklahoma State University-Tulsa is the urban-serving metropolitan branch campus of OSU. Tulsa-area students can earn an OSU bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree while staying close to home.

OSU-Tulsa offers workforce-responsive degree programs that advance careers and improve lives. Programs are designed for working adults, with most classes offered one night a week on campus, online or a hybrid of both.

“OSU-Tulsa has established a significant presence as Tulsa’s public, urban-serving research university as well as strategically implementing programs for degree completion and workforce development,” said Dr. Johnny Stephens, interim president of OSU-Tulsa. “We serve Tulsa by expanding access to education, collaboration with community partners, delivering premier academic programs and addressing society’s most pressing needs through research.”

Students have the opportunity to participate in research, internships and mentorship programs that directly impacts Tulsa-area businesses, communities and families. Visit tulsa.okstate.edu to learn more.

Education

By Christopher Payne, Union Public Schools

Currently, Oklahoma ranks 11th in the nation with more than 3,117 teachers who are National Board Certified. In a 20-year study, Georgetown University recently praised Tulsa as “an undisputed leader” in universal pre-K, citing positive effects on college enrollment and earning ability. Tulsa County serves 128,514 students (pre-K-12th) in 14 districts: Berryhill, Bixby, Broken Arrow, Collinsville, Glenpool, Jenks, Keystone, Liberty, Owasso, Sand Springs, Skiatook, Sperry, Tulsa Public Schools and Union Public Schools. Graduation rates improved by 4% in the Tulsa area from 2017 to 2020, with 87% of high school students graduating on time after four years. Seventy-one high school seniors in northeastern Oklahoma were recently named 2022 National Merit Semifinalists.

In 2022, Tulsa Public Schools recaptured the title of largest school district in the state, serving 33,211 students in grades K-12 across 78 schools and charter partner sites. Booker T. Washington High School and Edison Preparatory School frequently top the list of U.S. News & World Report’s “Best High Schools in Oklahoma.” TPS has 45 schools offering free full-day pre-K programs. The district also offers a wealth of language enrichment options at 11 schools, including one- and two-way language programs (English and Spanish), as well as language immersion (French and Spanish). Seventy-nine seniors from 10 schools recently graduated with the district’s Seal of Biliteracy, demonstrating proficiency in two or more languages. TPS has seven lottery magnet schools that require student application and

Hannah Pearsall, an English language development instructor at Tulsa’s Cooper Elementary, helps students in early 2022.

Holland Hall

Holland Hall celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2022, and its mission is the same as it was when the school was started — to provide a school “where each student may receive individual attention within reach of any citizen of Tulsa.”

Holland Hall’s intentionally small-scale approach assures teachers truly know who their students are and where their strengths and passions lie.

The school provides a challenging liberal arts, college preparatory curriculum that promotes critical thinking and lifelong learning. Tulsa’s only PreK-12 Episcopal school, Holland Hall seeks to foster in each student a strong moral foundation and a deep sense of social responsibility.

Holland Hall at a glance

• Students receive an average 1360 on the SAT and 27 on the ACT. One-third score a 30 or higher on the ACT.

• 100% of Holland Hall graduates who apply receive an offer to a four-year college or university.

• Historically, more than 90% of graduates receive some form of college scholarship.

• From 10%-20% of the senior class is usually recognized in the National Merit program.

• About 10% of students go on to play a collegiate sport.

• In just the past three years, Holland Hall has earned nine OSSAA team state championships — in football, volleyball, baseball and tennis.

• 90% of students who take an AP exam earn a score of 3 or higher.

• Holland Hall is the only Cum Laude Society School in Tulsa and one of only three in Oklahoma.

• The student-teacher ratio is 10-to-1, with three full-time college counselors.

• Holland Hall offers 62 different art courses, 18 different individual and team sports and more than 30 clubs and honor societies.

• Holland Hall’s preschool starts at 3 years old, and tuition is comparable or less than many local programs.

• More than 30% of students receive some sort of tuition assistance.

Class of 2022

Last year’s seniors attended 41 universities in 22 states.

Students were admitted to a wide variety of universities including Bates College, Colgate University, Colorado School of Mines, Denison University, Depauw University, Franklin and Marshall College, Harding University, Hawaii Pacific University, Hendrix College, Johns Hopkins University, Loyola University Chicago, New York University, Olin College of Engineering, Trinity University, University of California at Los Angeles, University of Denver, University of Michigan, Vanderbilt University, Vassar College, Washington University in St. Louis, and Westminster College.

The Admission Office can answer questions about admission and tuition assistance. To register for an open house or to take a private tour, call 918-481-1111 or visit hollandhall.org/admission

Metro Christian Academy

acceptance, as well as five magnet schools that are criteria-based, meaning applicants must meet academic requirements. Among the six district-authorized charter school options is the Tulsa School of Arts and Sciences, a national Blue-Ribbon School (2015) serving grades 6-12. The district also offers seven specialized, inperson alternative school options.

In August, East Central High School expanded a four-course aerospace sequence that will enable students to earn the FAA’s mechanic certification over four years. TPS also expanded its Montessori offerings to a third school, Eugene Field Elementary.

“We like to say around here that you can tell a lot about something by its name,” says Keith Currivean, Ph.D., Head of School at Metro Christian Academy. “Metro is where we are, Academy is what we are, and Christian is who and how and why we are.”

Located on a 60-acre campus in the heart of Tulsa at East 63rd Street and South Trenton Avenue, Metro Christian Academy is an independent Christian school serving students age 3 through 12th grade. They’re all under one roof but with distinct areas for preschool, elementary, middle and high school.

In addition to robust academic programs, Metro offers activities for students of all ages including 11 varsity sports, debate, leadership, missions and fine arts classes like studio art, drama, band and choir.

At the heart of Metro is a sense of community. Students, parents, faculty and staff work together to educate and nurture students to reach their full potential. “We work to develop this culture in which everyone knows who you are,” says Athletic Director Adam Taylor. “You are somebody here. You are someone important.”

Visit metroca.com or call 918-745-9868 for details on curriculum, activities and more.

TPS also opened a new STEM Center at Discovery Lab with five large classrooms on the second floor of the facility. Up to 1,300 students in pre-K through sixth grade are expected to use the space each week.

Union Public Schools serves more than 15,000 students in southeast Tulsa and a portion of Broken Arrow. Rebecka Peterson, a Union High School math teacher, was named Oklahoma’s State Teacher of the Year.

Union, Broken Arrow, Sand Springs and Tulsa Public Schools, in partnership with Tulsa Community College, offer students at five high schools the chance to earn an associate degree at no cost while earning their high school diploma. The EDGE (Earn a Degree, Graduate Early) program focuses on first-generation college-goers and families who qualify based on income. Students apply in the eighth grade. Those selected enroll in a rigorous college prep curriculum as ninth-graders before entering EDGE in the tenth grade, where students take a prescribed course schedule taught by TCC faculty. To date, Union has had 59 students from the first two cohorts graduate with an associate degree.

Among Tulsa’s private school offerings, seven Catholic schools offer a pre-kindergarten through eighth grade education — focusing on the development of reading, writing and the sciences for students of all faiths and backgrounds. Those include Saint Catherine, Saints Peter and Paul, Holy Family Classical School, the School of Saint Mary, Marquette School, Saint Pius X School and Monte Cassino School. San Miguel School of Tulsa serves

At a 2022 national forum in California, Union Public Schools’ Tamarah Danzy, left, and Tulsa Public Schools’ Aubrey Flowers were recognized with prestigious Milken Educator Awards, an honor often considered the “Oscars of teaching.”

Monte Cassino

Since 1926, Monte Cassino, an independent Benedictine Catholic school, has been committed to providing an exceptional education for each student while nurturing the whole person. The PreK3–8th grade school features a campus-wide average class size of 17 and an 8-to-1 student/teacher ratio in the Early Childhood Learning Center. The dedicated faculty allows Monte Cassino to provide a comprehensive educational experience.

The school, located at 2206 S. Lewis Ave., offers the traditional subjects of reading, writing, math and the sciences, as well as programs in music, art, foreign language, STEM and athletics. Students are encouraged to take risks and explore concepts while developing learning strategies.

The Monte Cassino educational experience is complemented by a co-curricular program of over 25 clubs and offerings. The school offers unique and learning-based field trips, service days and project-based learning. The Monte Cassino athletics department offers 11 sports, and holds many state championships in basketball, volleyball and Academic Bowl.

Tulsa Zoo

This year marks the 12-year anniversary of Tulsa Zoo Management Inc. and the City of Tulsa’s public-private partnership to operate Tulsa Zoo. In that time, Tulsa Zoo has delivered a 54% return on the city’s management fee and has invested more than $36 million in infrastructure.

Support from the Tulsa community and major donors has allowed Tulsa Zoo to move forward with the Oxley Family Elephant Experience and Elephant Preserve. The Zoo broke ground in June 2022 on this is transformative project, which will allow Tulsa Zoo to meet the individual physical, mental, medical and social needs of a larger, multigenerational herd.

The new barn will be 10 times the size of the current barn. Overall, the complex will provide 13 acres of outdoor habitat including 10 acres of untouched land, allowing the elephants to free roam.

Next up is the William S. Smith African Wilds: Carnivores, scheduled to break ground in 2023. This 8-acre complex will provide a new home for

Monte Cassino’s commitment to Catholic instruction is focused on eight universal Benedictine values: Love of Learning, Seek God, Prayer, Community, Simplicity and Balance, Hospitality, Service and Stewardship. These values enable students of all faiths to build life skills and grow in their own spirituality while serving their community. Monte Cassino’s rigorous and focused curriculum

develops students who are prepared for high school and life beyond. Over $1 million in financial assistance is available.

To schedule a tour and for more information contact Brooke Jones at bjones@montecassino.org or at 918-746-4238 Visit montecassino.org to learn more.

the zoo’s lions, painted dogs and meerkats, bring back zebras and introduce pygmy hippos.

Each master plan project increases the impact Tulsa Zoo makes as the region’s largest paid daily attraction. Upon completion of its phase two

master plan projects, TZMI will have provided the city with a 198% return on Tulsa taxpayer-approved investments.

For more information, visit buildingbeyond.org and tulsazoo.org

Rendering of public walkway leading up to Tulsa Zoo’s new elephant barn.

CONTINUED FROM P. 38

grades 6-8. Two Catholic high schools, Bishop Kelley and Cascia Hall, provide rigorous college preparatory environments. In Broken Arrow, All Saints instructs students in grades pre-K-8. Other private options include Augustine Christian Academy, Holland Hall, Immanuel Lutheran Christian, Metro Christian, Lincoln Christian, Mingo Valley Christian, Peace Academy, Regent Preparatory School, Rejoice Christian Schools, Summit Christian, Tulsa Adventist, Victory Christian School, Wright Christian Academy and Riverfield Country Day School, all offering pre-K through high school programs.

Tulsa also is home to the Mizel Jewish Community Day School, three private Montessori schools, and two schools that focus on students with different learning needs: The Little Light House (primarily for students living with autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy and other challenges) and Town and Country School, which is designed to help students with learning disabilities, ADHD and autism spectrum disorder.

TULSA COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Tulsa Public Schools Superintendent Deborah Gist, left, and Cal Ripken Jr., Hall of Famer and baseball’s all-time Iron Man, visit Hawthorne Elementary in September 2022 to announce the installation of 47 cutting-edge science, technology, engineering and math centers in TPS elementary schools. The project is a partnership between Devon Energy and the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation.

MAJOR PRIVATE SCHOOLS IN TULSA COUNTY 2022-2023

HIGHER EDUCATION DEGREE PROGRAMS BY FIELDS OF STUDY IN TULSA

1 INSTITUTION GRANTS ASSOCIATE DEGREES ONLY.

SOURCE: RESEARCH WIZARD, TULSA CITY-COUNTY LIBRARY, 2022

SCHOOLS WITH GRADES K-12. DATA BASED ON OCTOBER 2022 ENROLLMENT.

SOURCE: DIRECT CONTACT WITH SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND OKLAHOMA STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

COMPILED BY RESEARCH WIZARD, TULSA CITYCOUNTY LIBRARY.

PRIVATE SCHOOLS WITH GRADE LEVELS FROM INFANT TO SIXTH GRADE OR HIGHER.

BASED ON ENROLLMENT AVERAGES 2019-2022.

BY RESEARCH WIZARD, TULSA CITY-COUNTY LIBRARY.

Tulsa-area universities are riding an enrollment wave, with the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University reporting their largest-ever freshman classes. Innovation continues at a high level, with the OSU Center for Health Sciences having received a $9.5 million grant that supports research into childhood trauma. TU’s Cyber Corps received a $6.3 million grant to recruit more students to protect America’s cyberspace. Google gave $250,000 to OU to support the creation of its Polytechnic Institute, a new school focused on innovation and advanced technology. Oral Roberts University, Northeastern State University and Langston University-Tulsa also have a significant presence.

Tulsa Community College is an exceptional value. Through the Tulsa Achieves program, every high school graduate residing in Tulsa County can earn an associate degree from TCC at no cost, provided academic qualifications are met. It covers 100% of tuition and fees for up to 63 credit hours.

Tulsa Tech, with six campuses in the metro area, offers career training for high school students and adults, as well as for private, parochial, charter and home-schooled students. Through the Accelerating Independence Scholarship, students ages 18-23 living within the district can attend tuition-free.

Overall, Tulsa offers an array of educational options and opportunities, regardless of budget.

Tulsa Community College

1 INCLUDES FULL AND PARTTIME FACULTY, EXCEPT THE UNIVERSITY OF TULSA DATA IS FULL-TIME FACULTY ONLY. 2 DATA FOR ALL CAMPUSES. 3 NA: NOT AVAILABLE.

4 SPARTAN COLLEGE ENROLLMENT DATA IS FOR FALL 2021 (U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION. INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION SCIENCES, NATIONAL CENTER FOR EDUCATION STATISTICS).

5 UNIVERSITY OF TULSA DATA FOR ACADEMIC YEAR 2020-2021.

SOURCE: RESEARCH WIZARD, TULSA CITY-COUNTY LIBRARY, 2022.

Tulsa Community College serves more Oklahomans than any other college in the state. In 2021-2022, TCC conferred 2,869 degrees and certificates upon 2,603 students. As the smart choice for higher education, 67% of our graduates complete TCC with no debt.

The College is a key resource to the workforce preparation needs of Tulsa’s business community with 17% of students choosing to enroll in one of the numerous work-ready programs. In addition, TCC serves the most dual credit students in the state.

Serving the Tulsa region for more than five decades, TCC offers educational opportunities that match the lifestyles and needs of students. With affordable and convenient educational opportunities, TCC has grown from a single downtown campus in 1970 to Oklahoma’s largest community college.

High school seniors living in Tulsa County can take advantage of TCC’s Tulsa Achieves program, which offers up to 63 hours of college credit at no cost. TCC also offers an honors program and more than 60 different student organizations. Building community is a priority at TCC and through our Tulsa Achieves scholarship program our students have contributed more than 875,000 hours in community service to organizations in the Tulsa area.

Visit tulsacc.edu for more information.

Broken Arrow’s Northeastern State University campus

Health Care

By Mark McElreah, MPA, Executive Director, Tulsa County Medical Society

Taking a look at 2022 in review shines a light on several key areas that helped shape and impact health care in Tulsa, from new variants and a resurgence of COVID-19 to Medicaid expansion and the tragedy that rocked our city and the nation.

2022 started with an Omicron surge, a record number of COVID hospitalizations and thousands of canceled flights. Headlines talked about vaccine mandates, staff shortages and overwhelmed emergency departments. So it was a big deal when, a few weeks later, free at-home COVID tests and N95 masks were made available to everyone. Physicians and our health care systems were exhausted and stretched thin again.

COVID-19 IN 2022

Positive developments were made in the fight against COVID-19 in 2022, including unprecedented advances in vaccine technology that allows for rapid updates to protect against new strains, a more effective treatment and prevention toolbox of vaccines and boosters, oral antivirals and home test kits, as well as growing population immunity to the virus. COVID became less of a disruption in our lives, making it possible to resume pre-pandemic activities like travel, attending large events and going to school in person and unmasked. In January and February, the U.S. was in the midst of the initial Omicron wave. At its peak, the wave involved the highest weekly number of cases and nearly the highest weekly number of deaths of the entire pandemic. According to the Tulsa Health Department, as of Jan. 23, 2023, in Tulsa County, the total number of COVID-19 cases was 209,000 with 2,354 deaths reported. The largest peak of new cases occurred in January 2022 with 15,278.

MEDICARE CUTS FOR PHYSICIANS

The federal government’s 2023 spending plan could hurt seniors’ access to medical care when physician reimbursement for Medicare drops in 2023. According to reports, Medicare payments will be cut to 2%, less than the 4.5% cuts expected in the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule payments in 2023 even though groups have urged Congress to avoid cuts altogether, citing the ongoing financial challenges providers are facing because of the pandemic.

The proposal seeks to stave off about half of the expected reductions to Medicare reimbursement for physician services over the next two years. Physicians will face a 2% cut in the new year and a 3.5% cut in 2024. At the end of the year, House members penned a bipartisan letter to President Joe Biden and House and Senate leadership, urging swift action to head off looming Medicare cuts.

SAINT FRANCIS STRONG

In June, Tulsa and its health care community were rocked to their core. A gunman opened fire in the Natalie Building, part of the Saint Francis Hospital, killing Dr. Preston Phillips, Dr. Stephanie Husen, medical assistant Amanda Glenn and the husband of a patient, William Love. This tragedy brought to light what many in the health care community have been experiencing. According to Bureau of Labor Statistics data, health care and social service workers are five times as likely to be injured from violence in their workplace than other workers, and the number of such injuries has risen dramatically over the past decade —

from 6.4 incidents per 10,000 workers annually in 2011, to 10.3 per 10,000 in 2020. As a response to this tragedy, the Tulsa County Medical Society and Oklahoma State Medical Association opened the Physician Wellness Program, a confidential and free counseling service for physicians, to all Saint Francis employees.

CELEBRATORY NEWS

Project Tulsa Charitable Medical Services celebrated its 10-year anniversary in 2022. Project TCMS is a community partnership to improve access to specialty health care for lowincome, uninsured Tulsa County residents. It combines care provided in primary care safety net clinics in Tulsa County with donated specialty care in a coordinated referral program led by the Tulsa County Medical Society Foundation. It is designed to enhance the work of existing safety net clinics and other community agencies. Over 185 Tulsa physicians volunteer and participate in the program. Since its inception, Project TCMS has provided 1,507 patients with specialty care representing 5,573 services resulting in over $9.1 million in donated care.

Hillcrest HealthCare System hosted the first Black Men in White Coats youth summit in November. About 200 Tulsa Public Schools students participated in the event on the University of Tulsa campus, where they went through clinical rounds, networked with providers and learned about the importance of minorities in the health care industry. The goals behind Hillcrest’s Black Men in White Coats youth summit were exposure, inspiration and mentoring. Organizers hope events like this also will increase the number of Black men who work in the medical field.

LOCAL HEALTH GROUPS  ASCENSION ST. JOHN

Ascension St. John was founded in 1926 with the opening of St. John Medical Center near downtown Tulsa. Owned by the nation’s most extensive Catholic and nonprofit health system, Ascension St. John is committed to delivering compassionate, personalized care to all, especially those living in poverty and who are most vulnerable. Ascension St. John operates hospitals in Tulsa, Owasso, Broken Arrow, Sapulpa, Bartlesville and Nowata, along with multiple urgent care locations and physician offices throughout northeastern Oklahoma and southeastern Kansas.

COMMUNITY HEALTH CONNECTION/ LA CONEXIÓN MÉDICA

Community Health Connection is a Federally Qualified Health Center committed to meeting the lifelong health care needs of the northeast Oklahoma community, particularly catering to the Hispanic population. The medical clinic is designed to provide the highest quality, affordable and accessible primary health care services in a culturally effective, language-appropriate and compassionate manner.

COUNCIL OAK COMPREHENSIVE HEALTHCARE

This facility was purchased by the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Department of Health in September 2021. It provides several specialty clinics, including neurology, pulmonology and diabetes care to Native Americans and community members. A minor emergency clinic, primary care clinic and monocolonal antibody infusion center also has been in operation. In 2022, it was

announced that general surgery services would now be provided through a collaboration with the OU-TU School of Community Medicine.

HILLCREST HEALTHCARE SYSTEM

Hillcrest Medical Center is the city’s oldest medical facility, opening more than a century ago in 1918. Today, Hillcrest HealthCare System is recognized as a leader in health care, committed to “changing lives for the better, together.” HHS is comprised of Hillcrest Medical Center, Hillcrest Hospital South and Tulsa Spine and Specialty Hospital in Tulsa, as well as five regional hospitals in Claremore, Cushing, Henryetta, Pryor and Owasso. HHC also provides primary and specialty care services through Oklahoma Heart Institute and Utica Park Clinic.

MORTON COMPREHENSIVE   HEALTH SERVICES

Morton Comprehensive Health Services is a Federally Qualified Health Center offering medical services to patients regardless of ability to pay. Morton serves patients residing in more than 221 zip codes and 16 counties. Its mission is to provide quality, affordable health services to all people — along with dignity and respect — without regard to finances, culture or lifestyle.

OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY CENTER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES

The OSU Center for Health Sciences houses the OSU College of Osteopathic Medicine in addition to other health care programs. OSU-COM trains physicians for Oklahoma while providing vital health care services in underserved areas of Tulsa and to patients across the state.

OSU MEDICAL CENTER

OSU Medical Center is one of the nation’s largest osteopathic teaching hospitals with 11 residency programs and nine fellowship programs. The hospital trains more than 150 residents in primary care and subspecialties each year. With full accreditation from the American Osteopathic Association, OSU Medical Center works to deliver high-quality care with compassion for patients and their families.

OKLAHOMA SURGICAL HOSPITAL

Founded in 2001 by a group of physicians, Oklahoma Surgical Hospital provides a wide variety of surgical procedures including orthopedics, neurosurgery, joint replacement, general surgery, colorectal, breast, gynecology, urology, ear nose and throat, cardiology and plastic surgery. OSH maintains its focus on providing premier medical expertise and technological resources to the provision of superior personalized health care.

OU-TU SCHOOL OF COMMUNITY MEDICINE

The OU-TU School of Community Medicine is an educational track within the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine. Community medicine is focused on population-based health outcomes, with curriculum on the promotion of public health by education, early diagnosis and disease prevention. The OU-TU School of Community Medicine offers all four years of the Doctor of Medicine program and a 30-month physician assistant program on the OU-Tulsa Schusterman Campus.

SAINT FRANCIS HEALTH SYSTEM

Founded in 1960, Saint Francis Health System is a not-for-profit Catholic organization committed to excellence, dignity, justice, integrity and stewardship. As Tulsa’s largest private employer with more than 10,000 employees, Saint Francis remains the only locally owned and operated health care system in the area. The System includes Saint Francis Hospital, the Children’s Hospital at Saint Francis, Warren Clinic, the Heart Hospital at Saint Francis, Saint Francis Hospital South, Laureate Psychiatric Clinic and Hospital, along with community hospitals in Muskogee, Vinita and Glenpool and multiple outpatient specialty centers.

Saint Francis Health System

As Tulsa’s only locally governed health system, Saint Francis is a private, not-for-profit, Catholic organization founded in 1960 by Natalie and William K. Warren Sr. Throughout its history, Saint Francis Health System’s mission of extending the presence and healing ministry of Christ has been a guiding principle for its staff, physicians and volunteers. With more than 10,500 employees, Saint Francis Health System is the area’s largest private employer.

Saint Francis Hospital in Tulsa is eastern Oklahoma’s largest acute-care hospital. It is currently licensed for more than 1,100 beds and consistently provides patients with outstanding medical care and a broad spectrum of services that include emergency and trauma services, cardiac care, a certified comprehensive stroke center, oncology services, orthopedics, labor and delivery, surgical services, critical care and much more. The hospital has been consistently ranked by U.S. News & World Report as No. 1 in the

state and most recently recognized in 2022 for high-quality care in 11 clinical areas.

The Children’s Hospital at Saint Francis continues to champion the health and well-being of children in the region. The 162-bed facility is recognized throughout the area for its advanced medical technology and team of skilled pediatric specialists. The 58-bed Henry Zarrow Neonatal Intensive Care Unit has the highest designation for critical care and provides the region’s most advanced treatments and services for premature infants and critically ill newborns; the facility is also home to the region’s only Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. The hospital is the site for Oklahoma’s only St. Jude Affiliate Clinic; this program that provides access to clinical trials and protocols offered at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in a care setting closer to home.

This year, the Saint Francis Cancer Center is scheduled to complete an extensive expansion that will provide increased access and more

specialized care for patients. With this expansion, all outpatient cancer care services including hematology/oncology, radiation oncology, infusion services, laboratory, imaging, pharmacy, physical rehabilitation and patient/family support services will all be centrally located at this site.

Located near Highway 169 and East 91st Street, Saint Francis Hospital South fulfills its initial goal of providing families with quality health care in an easily accessible location. The 104-bed hospital provides convenient access for residents of Broken Arrow, Bixby, Jenks, South Tulsa and Coweta with several specialized services and programs, including its newly expanded emergency center, general surgery, radiology and imaging, cardiology, labor and delivery, orthopedics, and primary care. Significant expansion of this hospital is now underway that will double the size of the hospital, adding 120 beds, new physical medicine and rehabilitation services, renovated surgical suites and a new hospital lobby and chapel.

Saint Francis Glenpool

Saint Francis Hospital

The Children’s Hospital at Saint Francis

Laureate Psychiatric Clinic and Hospital

With a dedicated team of physician specialists, surgeons, nurses and staff, the Saint Francis Heart and Vascular Institute provides comprehensive cardiovascular services with several regional locations. Key services are based at Saint Francis Hospital with 24/7 in-house cardiology coverage, emergency services, and the latest in medical technology and diagnostic testing. Cardiovascular specialties include general cardiology, interventional cardiology, structural cardiology, cardiovascular surgery, electrophysiology and cardiac rehabilitation. The institute’s cardiac care services extend out into the region with services as Saint Francis Hospital South, Saint Francis Hospital Muskogee, Saint Francis Hospital Vinita and outreach clinics at Warren Clinic Glenpool, Owasso, Sand Springs, Coweta, McAlester and Memorial South near Bixby.

Warren Clinic is home to Saint Francis Health System’s extensive network of more than 600 outpatient and inpatient providers and specialists for adults and children. With numerous clinic locations in Tulsa and surrounding communities, including Broken Arrow, Coweta, Jenks, Owasso, Sand Springs, Bixby, Glenpool, Vinita, McAlester and Muskogee, patients can connect to the care they need closer to home. Patients also have

the option to visit one of the seven Warren Clinic Urgent Care area locations or opt for Warren Clinic Virtual Urgent Care available 24/7 from anywhere in Oklahoma.

Laureate Psychiatric Clinic and Hospital is a private psychiatric health care facility with clinical programs that include comprehensive outpatient behavioral health services, adult inpatient and outpatient care, senior behavioral health, and a nationally recognized eating disorders treatment program. With more than 60,000 outpatient visits per year, Laureate is one of the largest behavioral health facilities in the region. This year it will undergo a facilities update and renovation which will include new inpatient bed capacity and a new patient admission and assessment department.

In 2016, Saint Francis Health System extended its commitment to the communities of eastern Oklahoma by establishing Saint Francis Hospital Vinita. With Saint Francis Hospital Vinita, Warren Clinic Vinita, and the Saint Francis Health Center locations in Langley and Monkey Island, residents of this area now have access to a wide range of quality health care services, including 24/7 emergency care, and the support of Oklahoma’s largest health care network.

With more than 300 beds, Saint Francis Hospital Muskogee provides comprehensive, high-quality health care services to residents of a seven-county area in eastern Oklahoma, including a nationally accredited cancer program, trauma and emergency services, a robotic surgery program and a certified primary stroke center. In 2022, the health system announced a $150 million expansion project. This will include a new patient bed tower, larger patient rooms and additional critical care capacity. The project also includes a new hospital entrance, main lobby and chapel.

Saint Francis Glenpool is a state-of-the-art facility that features an emergency center as well as outpatient services including diagnostic laboratory and imaging services, CT, bone-density scanning, as well as outpatient physical rehabilitation, and speech and occupational therapy. This location includes a new Warren Clinic Glenpool physician office with internal medicine, pediatrics, cardiology and OB/GYN services.

If you would like to know more about Saint Francis Health System locations and services, or to find a physician, visit saintfrancis.com or call 918.488.6688.

Saint Francis Hospital Muskogee

Warren Clinic

Saint Francis Hospital Vinita

Saint Francis Hospital South

Faith in Tulsa

By Gary Peluso-Verdend, Ph.D., President Emeritus, Phillips Theological Seminary

Religion in Tulsa plays a visible, vibrant role in public life and offers a remarkable variety of options and opportunities for their members and for the Tulsa community.

Faith communities serve the spiritual needs of their members. Many engage in one or more community outreach ministries such as: public school partnerships, parochial schools, food pantries, aid for the unsheltered and summer camps.

The most numerically prominent and culturally influential communities identify as evangelical, charismatic or Pentecostal Christian. There are many megachurches (with 2,000 or more persons worshipping each week). There are allied educational institutions known globally.

In addition, the religious ecology includes:

• Roman Catholic congregations and charities, which are increasingly populated with Latinx members, and which minister to immigrants and refugees.

• Antiochian and Greek Orthodox churches

• Mainline/ecumenical Protestant congregations (e.g., United Methodist, Presbyterian, Episcopal, Disciples, ELCA Lutheran), a few large and many small in membership

• Dozens of African-American congregations — Baptists, charismatics and Pentecostals. Generally, these congregations embrace evangelical theologies but differ markedly from conservative white churches in matters of social justice. Their role in addressing racism, reparations, mass incarceration, health care access, economic development and fair policing is central.

• Protestant Spanish-speaking congregations and ministries

• Native American religious communities include both Christian congregations and those centered on traditional ceremonies.

Buddhist and Hindu communities call Tulsa home. One of the world’s largest UnitarianUniversalist congregations is here. The Jewish population is small but powerfully represented through Reform and Conservative

congregations, as well as a Hasidic community. In addition, Jewish philanthropists, who have contributed to huge civic enterprises in Tulsa, enact Judaism’s commitments to social justice and tikkun olam — healing the world.

The growing Muslim community is comprised of persons speaking dozens of languages. A mosque, a first-rate school, an interfaith dialogue institute and several social service organizations extend the reach of compassion, mercy, justice and love far beyond their community.

There are several progressive Protestant congregations, an independent AnglicanCatholic congregation, and Jewish and Unitarian congregations that teach and practice social justice, the value of science, honest social histories, multicultural inclusion, hospitality for immigrants, and advocate for full inclusion of LGBTQ persons in religion and society.

Tulsa’s faith communities have warm interreligious relationships with ongoing dialogue groups, celebrations and in collective action such as refugee resettlement.

Tam Bao Buddhist Temple

Philanthropy

By Kristi Eaton

Tulsa’s trademark of “America’s Most Generous City” didn’t occur by happenstance according to Phil Lakin Jr., CEO of Tulsa Community Foundation, which houses around 2,000 donors who support various causes in the city, state and across the U.S.

“I always used those words in describing Tulsa. I make lots of presentations ... and I’d always say, ‘America’s Most Generous City.’ And then I said, ‘Well, you know what, I’ve got to back it up,’” he said of the 2012 trademark. At the time, Tulsa had the largest community foundation in the country — bigger than New York City and foundations in California, he noted.

“We’re second largest right now,” Lakin said. “We’re just behind Silicon Valley.” In 2018 readers of the Chronicle of Philanthropy voted Tulsa as the best U.S. city for philanthropy.

One of the most well-known philanthropies based in Tulsa is George Kaiser Family Foundation, which focuses on criminal justice reform, health and well-being, early childhood initiatives and more. It also spearheaded the creation of Gathering Place, as well as one of the first — if not the first — remote worker program. Tulsa Remote has attracted more than 2,000 remote workers to move to Tulsa to live and work.

Lakin noted other local organizations with a large following and donors, including the Alzheimer’s Association, the Mental Health Association Oklahoma and others.

Tulsa Area United Way, he noted, also is a big community supporter. But in 2022, TAUW ran into some speed bumps on its way to raising more than $25 million. It felt the effects of inflation during the fundraising season.

“The affordability of everyday items changed,” said Cynthia Qualls, chief resource development officer. “People are generous and still gave but may have given the same amount, since they are used to that in the budget, but didn’t increase their gift like they would have in the past.”

Additionally, the adoption of remote workplaces has meant fewer chances to hold educational sessions, special events or demonstrate the direct impact of TAUW to employees.

Still, despite the difficult economic conditions, the organization worked hard and launched new revenue generating innovations — from yard signs with QR codes to selling Tulsa Flag “Live United” T-shirts. “We’ve also continued to increase the number of online campaigns and methods to gather stakeholder data for more effective outreach all year long,” Qualls said.

NEW CENTER HELPS CITIZENS BUILD FINANCIAL STABILITY

In December 2020, the City of Tulsa partnered with Goodwill Industries to open a Financial Empowerment Center that offers anyone who lives or works in Tulsa access to free, professional, individualized financial counseling.

“FEC services are for everyone in any stage of their financial journey — from those who are struggling financially and need help building a path to financial freedom, to those who may be financially stable but want to know how to effectively plan for the future, and those who fall anywhere in between,” said Krystal Reyes, chief resilience officer for the City of Tulsa. “Counseling sessions can be done virtually, over the phone or in person.”

Counselors are bilingual in English and Spanish or Zopau (the Zomi language). Since launching, the FEC has worked with 500 clients and conducted over 1,600 sessions, Reyes said.

Outcomes include: reducing delinquent accounts; reducing non-mortgage debt; accessing a public support program; increasing the amount set aside for the future; opening a safe and affordable bank account; increasing credit score by at least 35 points; and adopting new savings behaviors.

“Financial stability is at the heart of residents’ well-being and resilience,” Reyes said. “We truly believe that financial counseling is a public service that should be available to anyone.”

The Financial Empowerment Center, located at 1667 S. Yale Ave., offers Tulsans access to free, professional and individualized financial counseling. The City will launch an Office of Financial Empowerment and Community Wealth within the Mayor’s Office that will lead the overall financial empowerment work of the city.

The Downtown Deco Challenge is a fundraiser for Tulsa Area United Way, which funds 59 partner organizations focused on education, financial stability, and health and safety.

City of Tulsa Authorities, Boards and Commissions

The City of Tulsa has dozens of citizen committees that cover a wide range of topics and appeal to a variety of interests. Arts, parks, economic development, historic preservation and demographic-specific interests are just some of the subjects.

Mayor G.T. Bynum and the City Council rely on these volunteer citizen groups for thoughtful advice to create policies and develop programs.

In early 2021, the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development, the Tulsa Parking Authority, the Tulsa Industrial Authority and the Economic Development Commission merged into one entity: the Tulsa Authority for Economic Opportunity. Its focus: increasing economic opportunity in Tulsa.

“The goal was really to create a much more efficient and effective economic and community development organization,” said TAEO Executive Director Kian Kamas, who formerly held the position of Tulsa’s chief of economic development. “The previous way of structuring the City’s work meant we had limited resources tucked away in different spots and locations. You had siloed staff, you had siloed boards. It really made it much more difficult to ultimately identify and execute on a shared vision, and also to have the resources to really make that vision a reality.

“(TAEO) centralizes all of the City’s tools and resources that ultimately support implementation efforts,” such as the Kirkpatrick Heights Master Plan, a 56-acre redevelopment project spearheaded by community leaders and City officials.

TAEO employs 16 economic development staff, some of which do the work of the Tulsa Development Authority. TAEO also has a board of trustees, which includes the TDA commissioners.

In December 2022, YWCA Tulsa, in partnership with the Mayor’s Commission on the Status of Women, announced the honorees for the 2023 Pinnacle Awards celebrating exceptional women of Tulsa. The nine honorees are celebrated at the annual Pinnacle Awards. The event honors the investment women are making in our city and financially supports the work of YWCA Tulsa to empower women and eliminate racism. Award recipients include: Anna C. Roth Legacy Award, Rose Washington-Jones; Arts and Humanities Award, Dr. Tamecca Rogers; Community Service Award, Irma Chajecki; Corporate Business Award, Elian Hurtado Jarve; Education Award, Dr. Sarah Wyatt; Entrepreneur Award, Anita Williams; Health and Wellness Award, Deneisha Johnson; Rising Star Award, Ashley Townsend; Corporate Champion Award, The Persimmon Group.

In 1987, the Pinnacle Awards were established by the Mayor’s Commission on the Status of Women to celebrate the important contributions of women to the City of Tulsa. In 2015, the Commission forged a partnership with YWCA Tulsa’s event Women of the Year recognizing women who were role models and embodied their mission of eliminating racism, empowering women, standing up for social justice and helping families. Over the past 30 years more than 200 women have been honored.

The Mayor’s Commission on the Status of Women acts as the central clearinghouse and coordinating agency for activities and information relating to women. The Commission is charged with helping women develop a collective voice to influence public policy and effect positive changes in their lives, in addition to stimulating research in the area of women’s legal rights; educating the community on the status of women by publicizing information on women’s rights and obligations; reviewing the range of services available to women to enable them to fully contribute to society through their homes and participation in community life; and to strengthening existing services and assisting public, commercial, cooperative or voluntary agencies in pursuing needed services.

INTERESTED

IN SERVING?

The Mayor is looking for individuals from diverse backgrounds to apply to serve for all of these boards. For all mayor-appointed positions, you must be a Tulsa resident. Some boards have additional requirements. Learn more about each committee and complete an application at cityoftulsa.org/government/authorities-boards-and-commissions.

Tulsa receives $87 million in ARPA funding

By Kristi Eaton

The City of Tulsa was allocated more than $87 million from the American Rescue Plan Act funds.

The funds are meant to help communities recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the City’s July 2022 Recovery Plan Report, “these directly funded, once-in-alifetime dollars have provided transformational investments to address both the urgent and long-term needs of the city and our citizens who have been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.”

To distribute the funds, Mayor G.T. Bynum and four members of the City Council formed a working group.

“In considering the highest and best use of these one-time funds, Tulsa’s safety and economic growth are the top priorities,” Bynum said in an October 2021 press statement. “I am grateful for the months my fellow American Rescue Plan Working Group members have put in to evaluating so many worthy projects, and believe the list presented to the City Council today will have a significant positive impact on the daily lives of Tulsans in all parts of our city.”

According to the Recovery Plan report from July 2022, the funds have been allocated to Public Safety, Economic Development and Tourism, Justice Reform, Public Health and Human Services, Public Facilities and Infrastructure, as well as the local nonprofits that are on the frontlines, assisting the most vulnerable residents.

“The working group’s recommendations allow us as elected leaders to assist those most impacted by the pandemic, support public health and maintain our natural resources,” District 1 Councilor Vanessa Hall-Harper said. “Whether the program fills gaps in mental health services, or we create outdoor destinations for communities traditionally underserved, these recommendations provide a unique opportunity to improve quality of life and the citizen experience.”

Resolutions were passed by the Council in regard to ARPA funds. One project is deemed the 21st Street Market Project, which the working group allocated $1 million.

The Project will be an incubator for immigrant entrepreneurship, according to the resolution, which noted that “immigrants represent 7.2% of Tulsa’s population and play a critical role in the social and economic fabric of the City.”

In addition to the incubator, the project will include a multi-use outdoor community space and an international market-themed retail space.

Another ARPA allocation went to non-stop flight service, which the Council resolution stated adds an estimated $15 million to the local and state economy. According to the resolution, nonstop flights not only help to recruit businesses, but also “play an immensely critical role in the City’s economic vitality.”

Prior to the pandemic, Tulsa had 19 direct nonstop flights and through the pandemic Tulsa lost seven of those. The $1.5 million allocated for the Direct Air Service Grant Program will aid in the endeavor to bring more nonstop flights to Tulsa.

Take 2 is a workforce social enterprise of Resonance Center for Women, a nonprofit aimed at improving the outcomes of women released from prison. Resonance received $30,800 in ARPA funding to expand its product line and provide more skills training to its transitional resident clients as well as supplement income for the restaurant.

Partner in Prosperity

For more than 115 years, Tulsa Regional Chamber has served as an integral part of what makes the Tulsa area a great place to live, work and play. Representing 2,000 member organizations and more than 170,000 area workers, the Chamber is the primary driver of regional and individual prosperity in northeast Oklahoma. The Chamber develops and delivers a wide variety of programs and services designed to bolster and benefit Tulsa-area businesses of all shapes and sizes, from large corporations to small startups.

For companies looking to build business, the Chamber offers engagement opportunities through the Tulsa Small Business Connection, northeast Oklahoma’s premier organization for companies with 50 or fewer employees. Small firms can gain valuable insights at education events, and a listing in the Chamber’s online member directory can yield valuable business referrals.

Organizations seeking access to resources can save on office supplies through a Chamber affinity program. Businesses can gain recognition through Chamber award programs, including the Small Business Awards. Organizations also can be part of Mosaic, the Chamber’s coalition of companies and nonprofit partners that celebrate diversity, champion equity and cultivate inclusion within the business community. Participation in the Chamber’s Manufacturers’ Council or Aerospace Council offers chances to gain insights and collaborate with industry peers.

Companies can advocate for the region as part of topical task forces that develop the OneVoice Regional Legislative Agenda, northeast Oklahoma’s unified business-driven policy platform. Interested firms also can help develop a long-term regional vision with other civic and community leaders by attending the Chamber’s annual Intercity Visit to a peer city to hear best practices. Companies also can encourage young employees to make a difference in the community through TYPROS, the young professionals organization housed at the Chamber.

Those looking to enhance regional economic prosperity can invest in Tulsa’s Future, the Chamber-led regional economic development partnership of public and private investors. There are also opportunities to support Chamber programs that impact quality of life, such as the Tulsa Office of Film, Music, Arts and Culture. More broadly, joining the Chamber’s Board of Advisors offers the chance to influence the organization’s strategic priorities, and, by extension, the future prosperity of the entire region.

The Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives has named Tulsa Regional Chamber

the nation’s best chamber a record four times: in 2005, 2008, 2010 and again in 2020. The Chamber holds three prestigious accreditations: five-star accreditation (the highest possible honor) from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce; accredited economic development organization through the International Economic Development Council; and accredited destination marketing organization (Visit Tulsa) through Destinations International. The Chamber also houses the Tulsa Office of Film, Music, Arts and Culture, Oklahoma’s only accredited city film commission through the Association of Film Commissioners International.

The Chamber’s Small Business Awards recognize Tulsa-area companies for their resilience, innovation and dedication to the local community. The 2022 Small Business Award winners are: Small Business Person of the Year: Mike Bausch, Andolini’s Worldwide; Rising Star Award: Rose Tax Solutions; Entrepreneurial Success Award: Arrowhead Consulting; Family-Owned Small Business of the Year: Tedford Insurance; Manufacturer of the Year: OGI Process Equipment; Diverse Small Business Champion: NextGen Tax Services; Lifetime Achievement Award: Steve Turnbo, Schnake Turnbo Frank.

The Business Case for Diversity

By Jonathan Long, Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Tulsa Regional Chamber

Increasingly, companies around the globe are realizing there is a strong business case to be made for creating and maintaining diverse, equitable and inclusive workplaces. In many cases, diversity of leadership drives profits. Research by the management consulting firm McKinsey & Co. finds gender and ethnic diversity gives executive leadership teams an edge over their competition. According to the firm’s 2017 study of 1,000 businesses in 12 countries, companies in the top 25% for gender and ethnic/ cultural diversity on executive teams are more likely to outperform their peers’ profitability by 21% and 33%, respectively. Inversely, companies in the bottom 25% for both categories of diversity were 29% less likely to achieve above-average profitability.

Diverse teams tend to be more innovative, which impacts the type of revenue a company generates. A 2018 survey by Boston Consulting Group found that companies with above-average diversity on their leadership teams derived 45% of their revenue from innovation, compared to 26% by companies with below-average diversity.

A company’s employee diversity can translate into improved customer service and a deeper understanding of consumer behavior. A 2013 study by the Center for Talent Innovation found that when a team has one or more members whose gender, ethnicity, culture, generation or sexual orientation matches that of their target customers, that team is as much as 158% more likely to understand their customers. The same study also found that publicly traded companies with rich diversity among their leadership teams were more likely to improve their market share and capture new markets than companies without similar diversity.

Last but not least, diversity generates respect. According to the Gender Forward Pioneer Index, Fortune magazine’s “Most Admired Companies” have on average twice as many women in senior leadership positions as men. Gender diversity in the workplace increasingly matters to U.S. employees; a 2017 Pew survey found 78% of American adults ranked the issue as important.

MOSAIC AND THE INCLUSIVE WORKPLACE INDEX

As the Tulsa Regional Chamber’s coalition of companies and nonprofit partners committed to diversity, equity and inclusion, Mosaic helps educate, lead and influence businesses on creating diverse workforces and inclusive workplaces to enhance their competitive advantage.

Through collaborative partnerships, community engagement, promoting resources and sharing knowledge, Mosaic helps companies not only improve inclusivity at their own organizations, but support and create equitable opportunities that help all communities thrive.

Mosaic also seeks to leverage the region’s diversity to improve perceptions of our community and grow the economy. Ultimately, Mosaic wishes to catapult the Tulsa region into the forefront of diversity and inclusion through talent recruitment initiatives and business retention and expansion efforts.

Taken annually by dozens of Tulsa-area companies and organizations, the Mosaic Inclusive Workplace Index quantifies the region’s progress toward inclusivity and equity. The index results provide both macro-level insights and tailored feedback for participants to help them improve their own DEI efforts.

Several encouraging insights came from the 2022 index. For example, of those organizations participating in the index, 62% have programs in place to develop a pipeline of diverse leaders, and 90% sponsor training or offer access to programs that focus on embracing differences and overcoming bias.

A full 85% of participating organizations take employees’ religious beliefs into account when planning work or holiday-related events, and 90% offer floating time off for employees to observe events of personal or religious significance.

DEI efforts extend beyond their own organizations. Of those taking the 2022 index, 87% engage employees in community DEI work by encouraging volunteerism with diverse populations.

In conjunction with the Inclusive Workplace Index, Mosaic celebrates Chamber members successfully developing and implementing diversity, equity and inclusion strategies. During its annual State of Inclusion event, Mosaic honors individuals, companies and organizations demonstrating exemplary commitments to inclusive workplaces and equitable economic outcomes.

For all of these reasons, many companies find that — beyond simply being the right thing to do — developing diverse, equitable and inclusive workplaces benefits their bottom line. For organizations in search of additional resources, the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s “Race Equity and Inclusion Action Guide” may be helpful, especially since, in 2020, the pursuit of equity became increasingly urgent for many companies and communities.

Aviation and Aerospace

By Bailey J. Siegfried , Vice President of Culture, Communication and HR, NORDAM

In the past century, our city expanded from oil capital to aviation manufacturing and repair heavy-hitter. Now we’re expanding again with advanced air mobility and space industry domination on the horizon. Here is a 30,000foot view of recent aviation and aerospace highlights in Tulsa.

If your overall impression of the economic driving forces in Oklahoma is all oil derricks and pastureland, you’re about to encounter a bit of turbulence. According to the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, the state’s $44 billion aerospace industry just surpassed agriculture as its second-largest economic driver and is now exceeded only by the energy sector. There are more than 1,100 aerospace companies here, employing 120,000 Oklahomans and accounting for 15% of all jobs in the state.

That’s an impressive use of these wind-swept plains. And in Tulsa, we’re just getting started.

AVIATION AND AEROSPACE WORKFORCE PIPELINE

Tulsa’s aerospace companies are united in an effort to attract, train and retain aerospace candidates to expand the local pool aerospace of recruits. Tulsa Regional Chamber’s Aerospace Council has developed a workforce initiative to educate the region and its students on a future in this well-paying field. Council member companies are helping support an aerospace curriculum at Tulsa’s East Central High School, with Tulsa Tech also nudging students toward training and apprenticeships for positions in the industry.

At the same time, the chamber lists a spate of aerospace workforce expansions from last year, including Accurus, TAT Limco, Air Transport Components, L3 Harris’ Aeromet division, and Quality Aircraft Accessories, a subsidiary of Hartzell Corporation. The sector will add another 500 or so Tulsa-area jobs in 2023.

SPACE INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT

Nestled beneath its own approved Federal Aviation Administration spaceflight corridor, the Oklahoma Air and Space Port is about three hours west of Tulsa and boasts the fourth largest concrete civilian runway in North America. In 2022, the State of Oklahoma legislative leadership voted to invest nearly $32 million in space, aerospace and advanced air mobility, which includes unmanned aerial systems and drones. Resulting enhancements will include a new radar detect and avoidance system at the complex.

The space port is operated by the Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority, which last year donated $100,000 to Tulsa Air and Space Museum to acquire, relocate and install a NASA space-shuttle simulator landing training system. Engineers from the University of Tulsa and TASM docents planned and installed the system before a May 2022 grand opening event. Guests of honor? The entire Space Shuttle Endeavour crew from a 14-day mission to the International Space Station 20 years ago — including Oklahoma-born John Herrington, the first Native American in space.

ADVANCED AIR MOBILITY

A Tulsa-based coalition of organizations from the government, nonprofit, academia and private sectors are using a $38.2 million grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration to create the Tulsa Regional Advanced Mobility Corridor, or “TRAM.” Their vision is a diverse hub for research, development and production in advanced mobility — including advanced air mobility, which NASA defines as “safe, automated air transportation systems for passengers and cargo in urban and rural locations.” So, think unmanned aerial systems and drones. This effort establishes the LaunchPad Center for Advanced Air Mobility on Oklahoma State University’s Tulsa campus, where corporations can test and scale new technologies.

AIR TRAVEL

Last year, Tulsa International Airport expanded its list of nonstop flights to include 24 destinations. Most notably: Daily, nonstop service to LaGuardia Airport in New York City. Nonstop service to Orlando International Airport begins in spring 2023 on Breeze Airways.

“Whether you’re looking to get outdoors in Phoenix or Denver, have a business meeting in New York City, Los Angeles or Washington, D.C., or could use a beach vacation in Miami or Destin, Tulsa International can get you there, nonstop, in just a few hours,” Tulsa Airports Improvement Trust Chief Commercial Officer Andrew Pierini said.

Be sure to leave enough time to check bags and get through security, as Pierini notes passenger activity returned and exceeded pre-pandemic levels last June, and continued to exceed 2019 levels throughout 2022.

Bailey J. Siegfried is chair of the Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority, chairman of the Tulsa Regional Chamber’s Aerospace Council, a member of the Oklahoma Governor’s Aerospace and Autonomous Systems Council and a vice president with Tulsa-based and family-operated NORDAM, an innovation leader in manufacturing and repair of composite components for aviation and aerospace.

High Tech

By Jim Sluss, Ph.D., Interim President, The University of Oklahoma-Tulsa

As the nature of work changes due to the introduction of new technologies and automation, an educated workforce with the skills, training and adaptability for learning is more important than ever to meet the needs of high-tech job creators. Leaders from the business, government, nonprofit and higher education communities joined forces many years ago to plan for growth in regional access to higher education, particularly in science, technology, engineering and mathematics programs.

The Tulsa Regional STEM Alliance works to grow the pipeline of pre-K-12 students who are academically ready to pursue higher education, whether at the college level or with a focus toward a skilled high-tech trade.

Tulsa Community College is an ideal starting point for college-bound students seeking a two-year associate degree. The Holberton School, a coding school that produces software developers without a typical two- or four-year degree, is another option.

Tulsa Tech, part of Oklahoma’s CareerTech system, also offers technology programs for non-degree seeking students.

In 2022, members of the business and philanthropic communities partnered with the University of Oklahoma to create the OU Polytechnic Institute, which will focus on advanced applied technology degrees focused on changing workforce needs of industry.

The Tulsa Higher Education Consortium, with generous support from the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies, brings together TCC with eight area universities to improve transfer student success for those moving on to pursue bachelor’s degrees. Coupled with a broad offering of STEMfocused master’s and doctoral research degree programs, this next-generation workforce can meet the needs of current and future job creators.

To retain this talent, Tulsa Regional Chamber, City of Tulsa and George Kaiser Family Foundation launched Campus Tulsa, an initiative

to encourage college graduates to begin their careers in Tulsa and create diverse and inclusive work environments in which they can thrive.

Tulsa’s research community is growing, fostered by leading-edge investigations into focus areas such as cybersecurity, aerospace and defense, advanced mobility, health and biosciences, energy technology and data analytics. This research is being conducted within our comprehensive universities in partnership with industry, government and nonprofit organizations. For example, the GKFF-funded Tulsa Innovation Labs brings strategic focus to Tulsa’s economic development activities in the high-tech domain. The University of Tulsa, long at the forefront of research and education in cyber security, recently partnered with TIL to establish the Cyber Innovation Institute. To create a pipeline of qualified students, TIL

partnered with TCC to establish the Cyber Skills Center. Oklahoma State University-Tulsa has a robust materials science and engineering program developing advanced materials for energy, medical, electronics, aerospace and defense technologies. The University of Oklahoma-Tulsa is a leader in self-organizing and 5G cellular networks incorporating artificial intelligence, machine learning, internet of things and big data analytics.

Disruption, the acceleration of technology development and easy access to information on a global scale exemplifies the 21st century innovation environment. Tulsa is prepared for this environment, and tomorrow’s high-tech researchers and innovators can be found today in the classes and labs of Tulsa’s research universities, regional universities, community colleges and technology centers.

Holberton is a coding school that provides students 12- and 20-month programs to earn experience in several software and development platforms.

ImageNet Consulting

ImageNet Consulting was founded in Oklahoma in 1956 as Southwest Typewriter Company. As times and technology changed, so did the name. Southwest Typewriter Company began a legacy of providing superior solutions, products, and service. Over the years, the company experienced constant innovations in office equipment and communication technology. As the copy machine revolution began in the 1970’s, ImageNet supplied clients with the products that met their budgets and provided the best solution. Through the generations, the company continues to utilize the platforms of leading technology companies to maximize efficiency and lower costs for clients. Today, ImageNet Consulting is an industryleading and award-winning Managed Services powerhouse. “With over 60 years of experience in the technology and business consulting industry, we have built a reputation for providing cutting edge technology to our clients with dependable expertise and strategic guidance along the way,” says Alan Webb, Oklahoma Market president.

ImageNet works with companies of all shapes and sizes and from every industry.

ImageNet is an Oklahoma based company, and has a presence in 7 States with 19 locations. “While Managed Print is one of our core business offerings, we have evolved to a true IT Solutions company,” notes Webb. “Our customers now additionally rely on us for Enterprise Content Services, Audio Visual Solutions, 3 D Printers and Managed IT Services” says Ben Berghall, Director of Managed IT Services

ImageNet’s Managed IT solutions team of over 40 individuals provide small and medium size clients across multiple verticals essential IT services from 24/7 help desk support, network and server management, data backup, disaster recovery to critical cyber security. “It is difficult for small and medium businesses to keep up with all the cyber security threats” says Berghall. That’s why ImageNet has invested heavily in people and technology to help businesses secure their

networks, computers and end-users. ImageNet Managed Security Services includes: Automated server and workstation protection tools backed by 24/7 threat hunting teams, cybersecurity enduser awareness training, and email protection and threat monitoring.

As Webb and Berghall reflect on their 14 years with ImageNet, they have seen the company grow from a few hundred employees to almost 500 in seven states. “Tulsa is very important to us, and we are proud to have been part of growing our Tulsa team from 12 employees to over 50 today. We were originally downtown in the Blue Dome district, but we quickly outgrew that location and moved to our current location on 41st Street between Sheridan and Memorial. We welcome you to stop by and see our showroom” says Webb, “and learn more about the products and services we offer our business clients.”

Alan Webb and Ben Berghall.

Commerce

By Jamie Richert Jones

Local experts are watching inflation trends but are optimistic about Tulsa’s economic landscape in 2023. Industries that anchor Tulsa’s economy include energy, finance, aviation/aerospace, health care and manufacturing. And most have seen growth over the past year.

“Certainly inflation, rising interest rates and the potential for a recession dictate many of the conversations we are having with our clients heading into 2023,” said David Stratton, executive vice president and corporate banking director for BOK Financial. “However, many companies are still trying to grow. Thankfully, Tulsa’s economy remains in better shape relative to the broader U.S. economy driven by low unemployment and some of our strongest industries, such as energy, that are faring well. As a whole, most of the major industries in Tulsa are in relatively good shape.”

Michael Morris, Ph.D., assistant professor of practice in the department of economics at Oklahoma State University-Tulsa, agrees with that assessment.

“I think in general the main industries are poised for a good year,” Morris said. “Energy is tied a lot to energy prices, and they had a really good year last year. The prices are down some now, but the industry is used to that type of volatility and should be well positioned for it. For Tulsa

specifically, you always worry that our attractive energy businesses might be acquired by larger companies, but they seem strong.”

According to Ama Abrokwah, Ph.D, economist and director of research at Tulsa Regional Chamber, the energy sector is the most concentrated industry and has the secondhighest earnings per worker in the MSA. The recent census saw Tulsa’s metro area reach the 1-million threshold, with the state’s population surpassing the 4-million mark. “This growth can be attributed to the growth in (Oklahoma’s) major metro areas, including Tulsa,” Abrokwah said, adding that the city grew at an annual rate higher than that of the state and nation.

Another strong industrial sector is aviation and aerospace, according to Morris, pointing to some new investments and expansion, as well as new initiatives in that area at OSU. He said manufacturing was broadly down as a trend since 2010, but post-pandemic is now seeing stronger demand. One issue for manufacturing in the Tulsa area continues to be enough qualified workers.

“Manufacturing is a major contributor to our region’s GDP,” Abrokwah said. “The industry alone accounts for about 16% of the MSA’s GDP. The manufacturing industry is the third most concentrated industry in the MSA.”

CONTINUED ON P. 58

CREDIT UNIONS IN TULSA

SOURCE: NATIONAL CREDIT UNION ADMINISTRATION, FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE REPORT.

DATA AS OF DECEMBER 23, 2022. DATA

FINANCIALS REPRESENT TOTAL ASSETS OF ALL LOCATIONS FOR EACH CREDIT UNION.

First Oklahoma Bank

In a little over 13 years, First Oklahoma Bank has grown into a leading local financial institution with more than $1 billion in assets.

The bank is now relying on the same visionary outlook that has propelled its Tulsa-area growth to expand into the Oklahoma City market, where it opened a loan production office in 2022.

“What started as a bold idea born in the depths of the Great Recession, now has grown into a vibrant and growing banking franchise,” said President and CEO Tom Bennett III. “For the first $1 billion in assets, we have largely focused on growing a deep banking presence in the Tulsa area. Instead of building a physical branch network, we have heavily invested in technology and people to grow assets from an intentionally smaller physical footprint. We have constructed a solid base by which we can launch new initiatives.”

First Oklahoma Bank’s entrepreneurial spirit, consistency and quality-growth business model set it apart. First Oklahoma is owned and operated by people who live and work in Oklahoma,

understand the local economy, and can adapt to customers’ needs without the bureaucracy of big banks

In addition to offering competitive CD rates and concierge-level services, the full-service bank is a leader in local deposits, Treasury services, and lending to small- and medium-sized businesses.

“Since our founding, we have consistently had to navigate a changing economic environment. We have weathered two massive downturns in oil/gas, managed through a pandemic-driven economic shutdown, and helped to facilitate one of the government’s most direct relief programs – the Paycheck Protection Program. Along the way, we have profitably grown and built a resilient/ entrepreneurial banking company,” Bennett said.

First Oklahoma’s interpersonal connections are evident through the many charitable causes it supports. The bank’s annual local United Way fundraising campaigns have led it to being recognized as a “Best of the Best” company for 13 consecutive years. The bank also helped found

Jenks CarePoint, which provides free clothing and shoes to families in need in the Jenks and south Tulsa area. First Oklahoma has a robust outreach to immigrants and has supported Afghan families who have been resettled in the Tulsa area.

First Oklahoma Bank was established on Nov. 4, 2009, when First Oklahoma Holdings Inc. acquired Glencoe State Bank. With a staff or more than 125 bankers, First Oklahoma has locations in Jenks, midtown Tulsa, Glencoe and now an LPO in Oklahoma City.

“We have always had big dreams. With the support of shareholders and customers, we have been able to recruit a staff capable of achieving far more than what we originally thought possible. Our collective efforts will continue to pay off in the future,” Bennett said. “I’m very excited to see our brand grow.”

First Oklahoma Bank invites Oklahomans to “Move up to Better Banking” by calling 918-392-2500 or visiting firstoklahombank.com. Member F.D.I.C.

Executive Chairman of the Board Tom Bennett Jr. with President and CEO Tom Bennett III.

However, she is encouraged by total job growth over the year. Manufacturing faces global headwinds with supply chain issues, reshoring, labor shortage and a host of other issues.

Just like most regions, the manufacturing industry is yet to recoup all the jobs lost during the pandemic. According to Abrokwah, as of November 2022, the industry was just 100 jobs shy of its pre-pandemic job levels.

Tulsa’s low cost of living, vibrant culture, central location and business friendly environment has attracted quite a bit of attention from outside businesses. “The Chamber’s economic development team works tirelessly to attract top talents and business into the region while providing the needed resources for existing companies and talents to thrive,” Abrokwah said. “Several people and companies are relocating to Tulsa due to the efforts of the Chamber and its partners and the numerous accolades received by the region as having low cost of living and affordable housing and real estate. The region is poised for major growth.”

The local banking industry also continues to expand steadily.

“Many Oklahoma banks are coming off very strong years as they have benefited from rising

interest rates,” Stratton said. “At BOK Financial, our credit portfolio is as strong as it has ever been and we are still actively hiring around our footprint and in Tulsa, so we feel good about the local economy.”

There is no doubt the past three years have required a reframing of the economic landscape locally and beyond. However, valuable lessons have been learned about the workforce potential and its possibilities — especially in terms of how and where people work.

“For many companies, technology taught them that employees can, in some cases, get their work done when not in the office. However, I think the jury is still out in terms of how well it works long-term,” Stratton said. “In many ways, the Tulsa Remote program allows Tulsa to take advantage of this movement as it has allowed those employees with that flexibility to explore Tulsa when they otherwise would not have. The flip side of that is while many acknowledge remote work and technology are tools that can augment how we do business, I think most people would still say the best relationships, experiences and cultures are built in person. So, I think it’s trying to figure out how you balance those that will remain the ongoing question for some companies.”

COMMERCIAL BANKS IN TULSA COUNTY

1 THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS.

2 BANKS HEADQUARTERED OUTSIDE TULSA COUNTY.

DATA NOTES: FINANCIALS REPRESENT TOTAL AMOUNTS OF ALL LOCATIONS WITHIN TULSA COUNTY FOR EACH BANK.

SOURCE: FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION, STATISTICS ON DEPOSITORY INSTITUTIONS.

DATA AS OF JUNE 30, 2022.

CONTINUED FROM P. 56

Energy, aviation/aerospace, finance, health care and manufacturing are industries that anchor Tulsa’s economic landscape. The Golden Driller, which has been on the grounds of Expo Square since 1966, is dedicated to those in the petroleum industry.

Central Bank of Oklahoma

Central Bank in Oklahoma is local community market of Central Bancompany, which has over $20 billion in assets. Our local bank management is empowered to ensure we meet the needs of businesses and consumers in Oklahoma. Being a part of Central Bancompany expands the products and services we provide at the highest level of current technology. Central Bancompany serves more than 250 communities in Oklahoma, Missouri, Kansas, Illinois, Colorado, and Florida. Central Bank in Oklahoma currently has nine locations, including the communities of Tulsa, Sapulpa, Owasso, OKC and Edmond.

Secure. In 2022 the prestigious business publication, Forbes Magazine, recognized Central Bancompany as a Best Bank in America among the 100 largest banking companies.

Central Bank is safe and secure because of our strong roots and commitment to prudent banking practices. We are committed to being a leading financial services provider in the communities we serve by continuing to provide customers with quality financial solutions and exceptional customer service.

Community. Integrally involved in our communities, you will find Central Bank employees out in the community serving students in the class room through several outreach programs, including Junior Achievement. Employees are also involved as members and leaders in local organizations, chamber of commerce, and local charities. Central Bank in Oklahoma is proud part of each of our communities.

Our Business. Our Resources. We understand your business challenges which is why we offer diverse lending options and deposit accounts to help you manage the day-to-day finances, as effortlessly as possible. Trust our experienced lenders to evaluate your needs and custom fit lending options. Local lenders. Local decisions. Discover deposit products and services to fit your company size, account balances, spending habits and technology preferences, we’ll assist you in finding the perfect fit for your business.

Your Business. Your Rewards. Central Bank will help you automate your Accounts Payable and turn your payments process into a time saving, automatic process that adds incremental revenue to

your bottom line; you earn cash when you pay your vendors electronically. Earn even more when you optimize your business travel expenses, purchasing, and fleet management with just one card.

Personal Banking. Banking YOUR Way. Take your personal checking to the next level with our outstanding package of technology products that will help you manage your money on your terms with our package of financial tools that allow you to access your accounts, transfer funds, create budgets, and make deposits virtually anywhere, at any time.

Let Central Bank be your financial resource. Contact Central Bank at (918) 477-7400 for the financial tools and expertise you need to grow your business or handle your personal financial needs. More information is available on our website centralbank.net

Security Bank

Setting the Standard for Customer Care

Security Bank believes in the preservation of local community banking.

For customers, that means having a valuable long-term banking relationship with someone they can trust and depend on. For employees, it means working in an environment where they feel valued, appreciated and supported. For Security Bank leadership, it means investing in the financial growth and success of people and our local community.

“Security Bank stands on a simple principle: help meet the needs of people with genuine care and respect,” says Security Bank CEO Dawne Stafford. “We do this well because we value the traditional community banking model: know your customers.

When a customer partners with Security Bank, they gain a personal banker and a team of experienced and committed people, working together to meet needs, solve problems and exceed expectations.

“We have loyal, dedicated employees, which allows customers to build long-lasting relationships with bankers who are here year after year and able to fully understand their individual needs and challenges.” says Security Bank President and Chief Lending Officer Tom Gay. “We’ve built loyal customers because we provide personal attention and consistent, reliable service.”

Security Bank’s strong performance, even during tumultuous years, places it among the most competitive financial institutions in the Tulsa area. Locally owned and operated, Security Bank has the advantage of flexibility, local decision making and oftentimes quicker loan processing which could spell the difference between a successful project and a lost opportunity for business owners.

“We are not just lenders lending money,” Gay said. “We are sounding boards, here to offer guidance and support to help our customers and local business owners solve problems, identify opportunities and plan next steps in their business goals.”

Arvest Bank - Commercial Lending

People Helping People Find Financial Solutions for Life

For more than three decades, Arvest Commercial Lending has been providing exceptional customer service from its downtown Tulsa offices where it can keep a finger on the pulse of the city.

“People helping people find financial solutions for life, that’s our mission,” said Jack Carney, executive vice president and commercial services and acquisition manager. “You can’t help find solutions if you’re disconnected from the community you serve and what better place to connect than the city’s center, its heartbeat.”

Connection is thread woven throughout the Arvest way of doing business, Carney said.

“Your Arvest banker will be connected to you and invested in your business and its success,” he said. “For example, if you call with a question and your banker doesn’t know the answer, they’re going to go find the answer and get back with you the same day. You won’t be transferred around to

find the answer on your own.”

That’s part of the reason Arvest earned Forbes’ World’s Best Banks recognition the past four consecutive years and the Best-In-State for Oklahoma award in 2019 and 2020, he said.

With $26 billion in assets, Arvest is structured with 14 markets over a four-state footprint creating a local community bank service mindset. Arvest offers working capital lines of credit, real estate,

Bank is the bank of choice for small and large independent business owners and individuals looking for a local community banking relationship that values people first. Visit Security Bank and experience the difference.

business acquisition, has outstanding rates on equipment financing and is a Small Business Administration Preferred Lender.

“At more than $3 billion in assets, Tulsa is Arvest’s largest market,” Carney said. “We’re excited about the continued development of the Tulsa Downtown area and delighted to be partners with our customers in this continued effort.” For more information, visit arvest.com or call 918-631-1154

Security Bank CEO Dawne Stafford and President Tom Gay

Manufacturing

By Dave Rowland, President and CEO, Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance

As local manufacturers settled into a postpandemic landscape, in 2022 worker shortages and inflationary pressure throttled production. Despite the challenges, business leaders look to the future and remain optimistic. The ability to endure has served Tulsans well over the past century and that unrelenting nature provides a backdrop for the cautious enthusiasm that prevails among area firms.

“While supply chain issues eased, manufacturers faced other obstacles like the rising costs of raw materials and the strain to find enough qualified employees,” said Sean Kouplen, board chair of the Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance. “But as it has been for more than 100 years, manufacturing remains a pillar of economic strength in northeastern Oklahoma. It’s the foundation for so many vital industries like aerospace, transportation and, of course, oil and gas.”

The impact of a healthy manufacturing sector on Tulsa’s economy cannot be overestimated. There are about 70,000 manufacturing wage-earners in the metropolitan area, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Manufacturing pays 40% higher salaries when compared to all other industries and every $1 million in manufacturing output supports the generation of $1.4 million in additional revenue for all businesses. Every 10 jobs in manufacturing supports 16.8 additional jobs, and taxes collected on just manufacturing production in the area were $175 million last year. Overall, the annual regional value of manufacturing output is normally more than $35 billion.

“It’s also important to remember that even though large manufacturers often grab headlines, the vast majority of production is done by small and medium-sized companies,” Kouplen said. “While some of these smaller companies did not survive the pandemic, most of the lost business was picked up by other firms. These surviving manufacturers are flexible and better able to adapt to changing conditions. That’s a real advantage.”

Following up on its plans to construct a $400 million “mega microfactory” near Pryor, electric vehicle manufacturer Canoo said it also will build its own battery module facility at MidAmerica

Industrial Park. “We are accelerating our hiring plans in Pryor with (this new facility),” Canoo CEO Tony Aquila said. “We will be the first EV company to produce our battery modules with hydro power from the Grand River Dam Authority. We will work closely with and hire within the surrounding communities to create an EV Ecosystem in the region.”

Activities at the Tulsa Port of Catoosa continue at a vigorous pace. Automotive supplier Lyseon North America is expanding operations and announced it is hiring 200 new workers. The company serves as a supplier to Tulsa’s Navistar Bus plant and is another electric vehicle supplier. Also, CMC Steel is building a new facility in the area.

Downstream, the burgeoning Port of Inola is increasing its economic impact. A $22 million federal grant is laying the groundwork for increased large-scale manufacturing in the area. Additionally, a new $16 million rail project will connect Union Pacific’s main line to Sofidel, a company that in 2020 began operations in a $360 million facility that manufactures tissue.

The activity is led by a locally based coalition of organizations from government, nonprofit, academia and private sectors creating the Tulsa Regional Advanced Mobility Corridor. The group’s goal is to cultivate a diverse hub for research, development, and manufacturing in the advanced mobility industry. A $38 million grant may well drive thousands of new jobs and billions in economic activity over the next several years.

Milo’s Tea Co. associate Christopher Moore conducts quality control at the Owasso plant. The Alabama-based company recently invested $20 million in the expansion of its Tulsa County factory.

The concept of “advanced mobility” goes beyond traditional vehicles, components and fueling infrastructure to focus on the development of new technologies for light-, medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, integrating those technologies with alternate energy.

Another push toward cleaner energy came when the governors of Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana signed a first-of-its-kind partnership agreement. The states will work together to create a regional hub to produce clean hydrogen as a fuel and manufacturing feedstock. Similarly, Tulsa-based Big Elk Energy Systems announced it is partnering with Summit Carbon Solutions to develop what it calls the largest carbon capture, transportation and storage system in the world. The $4.5 billion private investment is designed to create economic opportunities for industries like ethanol and agriculture, as well as adding jobs and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

“It’s impactful not only to Big Elk but also the region because as we begin our manufacturing processes, that in turn rolls to various supplychain partners and numerous other companies in northeastern Oklahoma,” owner and CEO Geoff Hager said.

Two local manufacturers are part of an everexpanding aerospace sector. Quality Aircraft Accessories announced a $3 million expansion, while a new facility at Broken Arrow’s CymStar — a military training and simulation firm — is estimated to have an $8 million impact. It houses a C-5 full-motion flight simulator used to test upgrades and modifications before implementation on the U.S. Air Force’s current fleet of aircraft. The new building has 60-foot ceilings that can accommodate up to five full flight simulators.

“This new state-of-the art facility will allow us to grow our engineering and manufacturing capabilities and help attract highly talented individuals to support the mission readiness of our defense forces with leading-edge training innovations,” President Dan Marticello said.

In November 2022, Big Elk Energy Systems announced it will partner with Summit Carbon Solutions to develop the largest carbon capture, transportation and storage system in the world. The $4.5 billion private investment will create new economic opportunities for critical industries such as ethanol and agriculture, create jobs, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and provide a boost to local communities across the Midwest and the United States. The project will create 40-50 jobs for Big Elk, and Summit Carbon will support 11,000 jobs during construction and 1,100 permanent jobs.

TULSA MANUFACTURING MIX 2023

SECTORS ARE BASED ON SIC (STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION) CODES 20-39.

GEOGRAPHIC REGION: TULSA METROPOLITAN STATISTICAL AREA.

SOURCE: BASED ON DATA FROM DUN & BRADSTREET, NOVEMBER 2022. COMPILED BY RESEARCH WIZARD, TULSA CITY-COUNTY LIBRARY.

Luxa Enterprises

Founded in 2007, LUXA Enterprises provides small and mid-size businesses accounting, bookkeeping, human resource and payroll services to help alleviate some of the headaches of running a business operation and assists in the increasingly complex parts of managing and scaling a company.

“More than 80% of the Tulsa business community is comprised of small businesses,” says LUXA owner/CEO Frauke Petersen. “Unfortunately, many such businesses experience difficulty — or even fail — because they cannot keep up with their administrative tasks or need ongoing guidance with payroll and other HR requirements. Our goal at LUXA is to help small to mid-size business owners better execute the complex functions of business accounting, including cash flow management and forecasting.”

LUXA Enterprises offers clients 75+ years of experience and is dedicated to providing excellence in the areas of accounting, bookkeeping, human resources and payroll administration services. Team Luxa is committed

to partnering with customers to understand their unique needs.

“This year Luxa experienced a tremendous amount of growth! Our growth is directly attributed to an emphasis on building strong relationships with the community, our client’s, and our amazing Luxa team. We firmly believe that all three must be aligned to maximize our potential.” says Company President Mike Chromy.

Luxa’s success is largely thanks to our amazing team members who truly live the company’s core values: Integrity, teamwork, passion and excellence. Acting as a partner for business growth, LUXA strives to guide and support small businesses to a point of sustainable and scalable growth.

The aerospace sector is second only to oil and gas in terms of economic impact in Oklahoma, generating $44 billion a year, according to the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission.

A couple of the area’s most prominent manufacturers recently picked up prized industry awards. NORDAM — another of Tulsa’s aerospace leaders — won a Crystal Cabin Award in the cabin concepts category at the Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg, Germany. Meanwhile, “Air Conditioning Heating and Refrigeration News” cited AAON for excellence in product design.

AAON’s RQ/RN Series Zero Degree Cold Climate Air-Source Heat Pump earned a Gold award in the HVAC light commercial equipment category.

AAON also saw its founder and long-time leader Norm Asbjornson retire. For more than three decades, Asbjornson helped develop AAON into an innovative HVAC manufacturing behemoth. The company now anchors one of the world’s most concentrated hubs of heat exchanger production, which includes Greenheck and numerous smaller firms. The northeastern Oklahoma hub continues to attract new companies like Hayden Industrial, which is expanding operations to Tulsa and will eventually employ more than 225 people.

Elsewhere, Milo’s Tea Co. invested $20 million in the expansion of its Tulsa County factory. The development supports two new production lines and tripled Milo’s gallon-making capacity. Green Bay Packaging opened a new $90 million, 540,000 square-foot manufacturing plant to support growing demand. And Lufkin Industries, which makes oil field equipment, plans to bring at least 70 jobs to its new Oklahoma headquarters in Claremore.

However, as all manufacturers know too well, those jobs are increasingly harder to fill. The Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance hopes one solution is its new registered apprenticeship program, that helps firms improve the skills of new and existing employees.

“The initiative is structured specifically for Oklahoma manufacturers and is targeted at the relevant skills needed by individual companies,” said Sharon Harrison, who is leading the program. “A great example is Tulsa’s TAT Limco Thermal Solutions. The manufacturer is in great need of mechanical engineers and welders. Through the launch of a registered apprenticeship program, TAT Limco is able to fill these specific skill needs and grow their workforce to facilitate continued business expansion.”

A plethora of other resources help maintain the city’s proactive atmosphere. Tulsa’s highereducation institutions provide strong support for industry. The University of Tulsa and Northeastern State University-Broken Arrow work closely with area employers to strengthen the workforce. Another valuable resource is the Advanced Technology Center at Oklahoma State UniversityTulsa. The Business and Industry Training Service at Tulsa Tech is among the most effective in the nation.

“Now, more than ever, we should think about how important industry is to our community,” Kouplen said. “We all drive by manufacturing companies every day and most of us never take the time to think about what they do and what a difference they make.”

Dave Rowland is president and CEO of the Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance, which coordinates a network of experts working with companies to help them grow and evolve.

Luxa President Mike Chromy, Faith Storck, Mike Bayles and Brian Martin.

Energy

By Robert Evatt

Usually when energy has a volatile year, prices lunge in one direction. But 2022 managed to pull off both skyrocketing and plunging prices, bringing Tulsa energy companies along for the ride.

Tom Seng, Mervin Bovaird professor of energy business and director of the School of Energy Economics, Policy and Commerce at the University of Tulsa, said despite the bizarre behavior of oil prices, Tulsa energy companies fared well last year.

“Oil prices of $70 per barrel is still profitable,” he said. “Sure, oil companies would like them to be higher, but they’re still making money.”

U.S. crude oil futures began 2022 at $75 per barrel, quickly surged to above $120, then started deflating in June to hit $75 again in

December. While much of the price increase could be chalked up to inflation and uncertainty, Seng said the reversal was due to a simple increase in supply and a decrease in demand.

He also thinks the June peak was due to the Biden administration selling from the strategic oil reserves, as well as customers cutting back on driving. “We haven’t had the demand level this summer as we had in summers past.”

Even with the price swing, the impact on Tulsa energy companies was minimal. Since many energy companies were still recovering from the previous price collapse, most local companies used the windfall from the price spike to strengthen their balance books and buy back shares of their own stock to keep shareholders happy.

As a result, most companies did not increase oil production, even when it might seem beneficial, Seng said.

“It’s surprising we’re not above the current level of oil production we have now,” he said.

Part of his surprise comes from low oil supplies across the globe, as many governments and organizations tapped into reserves. These reserves will need to be refilled eventually, which are likely to cause prices to rise again, ending the reprieve at the pump.

Natural gas prices experienced a similar rise and fall as oil, starting the year near $4.40 per million BTU, hitting a peak in August at $8.81, then swiftly collapsing down to the $5 range in December.

Even the lower price is still historically high, meaning local natural gas companies also enjoyed a profitable year, Seng said.

Natural gas helped drive the Williams Companies to a strong 2022, said Alan Armstrong, president and CEO at Williams.

“Williams is the most natural gas centric, largescale, midstream company around today and there’s a reason we’ve stuck with our natural gas focused strategy for as long as we have,” he said. “Not only is this strategy delivering in the current environment, but the signals coming from the market show that it is going to continue to deliver substantial growth for the long term, as well.”

Armstrong said the near future will likely see higher demand for liquid natural gas exports and a faster pace of coal to gas conversion.

Though oil and natural gas industry is still a big piece of Tulsa’s economy, it has waned over the years. The last big blow was WPX’s exit from Tulsa after it was purchased by Devon Energy. With that move, Tulsa no longer has any major production companies, Seng said.

The area still has an array of significant midstream organizations, including Williams, ONEOK and Magellan, as well as some downstream companies like ONE Gas. There were no major acquisitions or similar moves of note by Tulsa-area energy companies in 2022, likely due to the profitable environment, Seng said.

Which isn’t to say the local energy industry has stayed stagnant. Thanks to tax credits and other government incentives, oil and gas companies are investing in technologies such as carbon capture that will reduce their environmental impact.

The Williams Companies, still a major player in Tulsa’s energy industry, is also pursuing cleaner natural gas distribution, with carbon capture as well as renewable natural gas interconnects onto its system that can capture and use methane from landfills and livestock farms that would otherwise escape into the atmosphere.

But that’s just the start of Williams’ aspirations to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Its New Energy Ventures business development group plans to develop an array of new solutions for meeting growing energy demand while

reducing emissions. One of these initiatives is establishing green hydrogen production in southwestern Wyoming.

Other local organizations are pursuing nonpetroleum renewable sources of energy. So many wind farms have been built in Oklahoma that the state now ranks third in the nation for wind power, behind Texas and Iowa. AEPPSO has purchased huge numbers of wind generation facilities, making the company the utility with the most wind generation ownership in the nation.

Even with the success of green energy in the state, Seng expects petroleum-based companies to have a strong start to 2023.

“We’ll likely see higher prices after first of the year, especially in spring when refineries gear up,” he said.

MAJOR PUBLIC OIL AND GAS FIRMS IN THE TULSA AREA

1 THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS.

2 MILLION BARRELS.

3 BILLION CUBIC FEET.

SOURCE: OIL & GAS JOURNAL, SEPTEMBER 5, 2022. COMPILED BY RESEARCH WIZARD, TULSA CITY-COUNTY LIBRARY

Commercial Construction

By John Smaligo, President and CEO, Associated Builders and Contractors of Oklahoma

Tulsa’s recent development boom has created a proportional positive impact on the commercial construction industry throughout the region.

While every area of Tulsa has seen significant investments, the most notable and easily recognizable transformation has occurred in downtown. The skyline of the central business district has changed markedly over the past few years with new apartments, commercial buildings and cultural attractions popping up everywhere. One of the largest downtown construction projects in decades, a new 58-bed, $171.2 million veteran’s hospital is expected to be completed in 2025.

Just to the west of downtown, the city is in the middle of a six-phase, $127 million sustainable mixed-income housing initiative called River West. This project leverages substantial philanthropic investments against a $30 million federal Choice Neighborhoods Initiative grant awarded to the City of Tulsa and the Tulsa Housing Authority.

A similar, yet larger investment is being made a couple miles north of the inner dispersal loop.

Comanche project. This redevelopment effort will provide 545 new apartment units.

In midtown, Promenade Mall is redeveloping a former retail space into a practice facility for Tulsa’s hockey team, the Oilers. Tulsa Promenade Twin Ice is a $25 million, 140,000-square-foot initiative to create two ice rinks, office space, snack shop, sports bar, arcade, pro shop and restaurant open for public use.

Contractors are staying busy in south Tulsa, too. Saint Francis Health System is already underway on a $250 million expansion and renovation project on its south Tulsa campus. Another $67 million investment into its Laureate Psychiatric Clinic will add 60 rooms, more space for admissions and patient stabilization, a parking garage and other upgrades.

Nearby, Oral Roberts University is following up its newly renovated visitor’s center with the $15 million Mike Carter Athletic Center. The 10,000-square-foot sports training facility will allow multiple teams to train at one time and will

Additionally, Oklahoma is ranked among the top 10 states by ABC for its business climate. Factors such as Right-to-Work, public-private partnerships and job growth rate all contribute to this impressive status.

However, construction is not immune to the top two concerns facing most every industry: workforce shortages and supply chain issues. While materials prices are dropping slowly, they’re still well above last year’s levels.

The workforce issue is one that our association is actively addressing with several initiatives including outreach to high school students to encourage them to consider a career in construction.

If you know a trade, there is a job waiting for you right now. Your skills are in great demand, the compensation is extremely competitive, and your job will never be outsourced overseas. With all the development happening in the Tulsa area, skilled tradesmen, superintendents, estimators and project managers are in great demand.

Northeast Oklahoma is growing. That means

River West is a six-phase, $127 million sustainable mixedincome housing initiative that leverages substantial philanthropic investments against a $30 million federal Choice Neighborhoods Initiative grant awarded to the City of Tulsa and the Tulsa Housing Authority.

Real Estate

By Julie Buxton, Gary Krisman, Kevin King and Neil Dailey of McGraw Realtors

Retail

During COVID-19, the Tulsa retail market fared much better than the national retail market. The greater Tulsa market has a strong presence of locally owned businesses, and the community has been a consistent partner continuing to support those businesses both during COVID and in the post-pandemic market. While e-commerce has driven large, big-box retailers and anchor tenants to reduce existing footprints and/or eliminate expansion, the Tulsa retail market inventory as whole has mostly smaller spaces and singletenant spaces as inventory.

There has been and will continue to be very little local large-scale retail speculative construction except for the new outlet mall. Simon Malls recently announced it will resume development of its 330,000-square-foot outlet mall in Jenks with a planned opening in 2024. Properties in the vicinity with space for lease will most likely benefit as over 100 retailers are slated to open within this regional outlet mall.

As of this publication, there is currently 325,000+/- square feet of retail under construction of which 200,000 square feet is the new Owasso Costco. Vacancy rates should remain fairly stable — around 3.1% — with a potential for a slight increase from Q3 into Q4.

Local investors, as well as those out-of-state, have been and will continue to view Tulsa as a strong retail market with opportunities as evidenced by the sales volume over the past 18 months. Deal volume in 2021 hit its highest volume on record of $356 million, according to CoStar.1

Office

CoStar also states, “Tulsa’s office market is improving through 2022 after two years of negative net absorption. Through the fourth quarter, CoStar is reporting 720,000 square feet of positive net absorption and projected a total of 283,000 square feet of move-ins by the end of 2022. While the market’s vacancy rate remains elevated, it remains below the U.S. average and the inflection point in demand is keeping vacancies from rising further” (CoStar, p. 3).

Tulsa’s vacancy rates have been happily below the U.S. average and are continuing to rise as net absorption picks up after a downturn in energy from 2015-2016. Net absorption is expected to remain positive for years, with 295,000 square feet already reported year-to-date. An impressive 316 new leases were signed this past November alone totaling 720,159 square feet — an encouraging sign of strong leasing momentum that will likely continue into 2023.2

Industrial

Tulsa’s industrial market is a beacon of strength in the commercial real estate sector. Demand has been driven largely by logistics activities and, more recently, medical marijuana initiatives — although this influence appears to be weakening as cultivation operations come up for sale and some dispensaries close. No speculative construction projects exist within the metro area due to tight vacancy rates (3.6%) which are putting pressure on rents that have grown an impressive 6.7% annually — their highest performance ever recorded.

Tulsa has maintained a lower industrial vacancy rate than the U.S. average since 2006, and in 2022 is showing net absorption of 75,000 square feet with 58 new/direct lease signings. The Tulsa industrial investment market has traditionally been dominated by local players, however outside investors have recently taken an increased interest in the metro area. Despite slight fluctuations from year to year this decade, sales volume has remained consistently above average for several years now — a trend that’s sure to continue into 2023 and beyond.2

Multifamily

In 2022, there were 58 projects sold for $408 million. The average price per unit was $96,273 and the overall average capitalization rate was 6.2%. Average occupancy for the year (all classes) was 91.98%. A total of 363 new units came online this year with an additional 900-plus units scheduled for 2023 (CoStar, 2022).

Sales fell off during the second half of 2022 primarily because of higher interest rates and recession fears. The higher interest rates pushed CAP rates higher, thus lowering potential sales prices. For the most part, owners made decisions to hold assets rather than sell at a lower price. The economy in the Tulsa metro remains strong and growing, and apartments play a major role in affordable housing — especially now that higher mortgage rates preclude many home buyers from the purchase of a home. Finally, we see a good year ahead for owners and their tenants with rent rates staying flat and occupancies holding steady.3

Residential

Tulsa is becoming an increasingly popular destination for home buyers, who are drawn to the stability of its housing market and wide range of urban amenities — all while enjoying a more affordable cost-of-living than many other large cities.

Experts predict residential real estate in Tulsa will continue to grow steadily over the next few years. With a steady job market, Tulsa is an ideal place for individuals looking to purchase residential real estate now or in the future. The 2023 forecast for residential real estate in Tulsa looks very promising with increased demand from buyers and relatively stable prices. This is great news for both current and prospective residential real estate buyers in Tulsa.

1 Tulsa Retail Market Report, Prepared by Julie Buxton, McGraw Commercial Properties. CoStar, 2022

2 Tulsa Office & Industrial Market Report, Prepared by Neil Dailey, McGraw Commercial Properties. CoStar, 2022

3 Tulsa Multifamily Market Report, Prepared by Gary Krisman, McGraw Commercial Properties. CoStar, 2022

City Government

By City of Tulsa staff

The City of Tulsa serves 411,401 citizens in our community and it is the 47th largest city in the United States. The City strongly pursues an organization-wide commitment to continuous improvement, but our deeper commitment is to bring all Tulsans along on our journey to excellence.

Incorporated nine years before Oklahoma statehood, the City operates under a homerule charter, amended by Tulsans in 1989 to establish a mayor-council form of government.

With a total annual budget approaching $1 billion, the City manages over $4 billion in capital assets, from a complex network of underground water, sewer and stormwater infrastructure to the world’s most comprehensive collection of art and artifacts of the American West at Gilcrease Museum.

Mission, vision and values

We rally around a clear mission, share an ambitious vision for our future and resolve to live and work by unwavering organizational and community values.

MISSION

Build the foundation for economic prosperity, improved health and enhanced quality of life for our community.

VISION

Tulsa will be a globally competitive, world-class city.

VALUES

Committed teamwork — we work together toward common goals.

High expectations — we expect excellence in our work, our organization and the city we are building.

Our values reflect what unites us. We excel at representing different (even competing) interests across our diverse community and bringing people together — in a spirit of high expectations — to address critical challenges.

Public service

The City establishes local laws and public policies, builds and maintains the basic infrastructure that enables commerce and quality-of-life and delivers a variety of services and programs. These operations are managed through administrative and operating departments in addition to public trusts and public-private partnerships. We work every day across silos to provide quality services to all those who live, work and play in Tulsa.

Organizational relationships and structure

Tulsa has a strong-mayor form of government. Responsible governance is ensured through checks and balances among three separate elected offices: the Mayor, the City Council and the City Auditor. The Mayor executes municipal laws and administers City operations. The City Council adopts municipal laws and policies and appropriates City funds. The City Auditor provides government oversight and ensures adequate protections are in place to manage risk.

The City’s Authorities, Boards and Commissions are empowered in different ways to achieve Citywide objectives. The ABCs assist in oversight and management of City operations, but also provide a citizen perspective. This ensures that residents have a voice in the prioritization of resources and delivery of services and products.

Citizens hold the leaders of all three branches of City government accountable through the election process. Elections are non-partisan, which gives Tulsa’s citizens a strong voice in each election. This power, along with the rights of initiative and referendum, provides citizens a strong governance role. The Mayor is elected for a four-year term; City Councilors and the City Auditor are elected for two-year terms.

The City of Tulsa also takes great strides to protect its financial health. In its July 2022 report, Moody’s Investors Service assigned the City of Tulsa an Aa1 rating with a stable outlook. Standard and Poor’s assigned an AA rating with a stable outlook for the City’s general obligation bonds in its July 2022 report. Reports of internal audit findings and financial reports, such as City Budgets and Comprehensive Annual Financial Reports, are published on the City website.

Transparency in operations is achieved through open records and open meetings. The City maintains records for public inspection and agendas with all items of business to be conducted are posted 24 hours in advance of public meetings. The City’s television channel, TGOV, broadcasts all City Council meetings and select ABCs to give interested parties a window into decision-making processes. Meetings are broadcast live, and once recorded, can be viewed anytime on the TGOV website. City Council meetings also are broadcast via Facebook Live.

Workforce profile

The City is one of the largest employers in our community, with 3,550 full-time public servants who are as diverse as the community they serve. In addition to a paid workforce, the City engages hundreds of citizen volunteers as well as unpaid interns to assist with special assignments and initiatives.

The annual employee survey helps identify how best to engage employees in achieving our mission and vision. The survey also provides feedback on employee satisfaction, morale and information on specific areas leaders need to focus on for improvement.

We have a vigorous commitment to safety. We require all employees to renew safety promises annually, carefully analyze and communicate injury data trends and provide a robust health and safety-training program with specific courses offered for different business functions.

Assets

Providing excellent services to citizens, visitors and businesses depends on reliable facilities, fleet, equipment and technology. Major facilities include:

• One Technology Center (including City Hall)

• 4,348 lane miles of city streets and 546 signalized intersections

• Lake Yahola, Unruh Reservoir, Lake Spavinaw, Lake Eucha and associated dam and transmission infrastructure

• Mohawk and A.B. Jewell water treatment plants, with the capacity to treat 220 million gallons of raw water per day, to be distributed through 2,332 miles of water lines

• 2,023 miles of underground sewer lines and 65 lift stations, moving wastewater to the Northside, Southside, Haikey Creek and Lower Bird Creek treatment plants

• 122 stormwater detention facilities and 64 miles of improved drainage channels

• 135 parks covering roughly 6,553 acres, including 57 miles of walking trails, 227 sports fields and 99 playgrounds

• 27 police facilities, including a municipal courthouse and jail

• 35 fire stations and related facilities

• Tulsa Performing Arts Center with five performance spaces, designed by Minoru Yamasaki, architect of the former World Trade Center towers

• Gilcrease Museum and its world-class collection

• Tulsa Zoo and Living Museum

• Cox Business Convention Center

• BOK Center, designed by Cesar Pelli

• Tulsa International Airport and Air Force Plant No. 3.

The City owns a fleet of 2,914 on-road vehicles, 1,422 pieces of off-road equipment and 146 fire engines, ladders and other apparatus. The Fleet Management Steering Committee and Equipment Management team utilize national standards to schedule preventative maintenance and replacement of fleet vehicles and equipment.

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE OVERVIEW

ENTITY

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITY

Mayor (elected at large) Execute municipal laws. Administer City operations.

City Council (9 members; elected by district) Adopt municipal laws and policies. Appropriate City funds.

City Auditor (elected at large)

City Department (directors hired by Mayor)

Provide government oversight. Ensure adequate protections are in place to manage risk.

Manage personnel. Execute strategies and plans.

Authority (appointed) Acquire and manage or oversee management of assets.

Board or Commission (appointed) Review and recommend policy changes to Mayor and City Council.

Customers and stakeholders

The City has the privilege of serving residents, businesses, visitors and even our surrounding communities. A single person can be a City customer for many different services, each with different methods of delivery, providers and expectations.

To serve these many needs, businesses expect excellent City services and a high qualityof-life for their employees, including safety, well-maintained infrastructure and low taxes. Feedback from customers is a key part of the City’s strategy for continuous improvement, and we employ multiple methods to receive and respond to customers’ input, such as our consolidated 311 system.

For more information, visit cityoftulsa.org and tulsacouncil.org, or call 918-596-2100.

Economic Profile

GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT 2 (THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)

IMPLICIT REGIONAL PRICE DEFLATOR (IRPD) / TULSA MSA (IRPD

in 2012

1 REAL = DEFLATED DOLLARS. TULSA MSA PERSONAL INCOME IS PUBLISHED BY THE U.S. BUREAU OF ECONOMIC ANALYSIS. TULSA COUNTY INFLATION ADJUSTED TO 2020 DOLLARS USING THE CPI-U INDEX FOR THE SOUTH REGION WITH A BASE PERIOD 1982-84=100.

2 REAL TULSA MSA GDP IN BILLIONS 2012 INFLATION ADJUSTED DOLLARS

TULSA MSA IS COMPRISED OF CREEK, OKMULGEE, OSAGE, PAWNEE, ROGERS, TULSA AND WAGONER COUNTIES. SOURCES: TULSA REGIONAL CHAMBER; TULSA CITY COUNCIL; RESEARCH WIZARD, TULSA CITY-COUNTY LIBRARY.

Acknowledgments

Principal Contributors

Patrick Boulden , Council Administrator, has served the City of Tulsa for more than three decades as a Tulsa police officer, an attorney in the City Attorney’s office, and currently as lead of the Tulsa City Council Office and as Associate Judge in Tulsa’s Municipal Court.

Megan Boyd , Senior Council Communications Officer, received her B.A. in Journalism and MBA from Oklahoma State University. She is a contributor to and content coordinator of Vision Tulsa.

Martha Gregory and Jennifer Pawlowski , Economic Development Information Center, Tulsa City-County Library, have been instrumental in gathering information for Vision Tulsa. Without their able, insightful assistance, the publication would not have been possible.

Very Special Thanks

Michelle Brooks, City of Tulsa

Ken Busby, Route 66 Alliance

Julie Buxton, McGraw Realtors

Neil Dailey, McGraw Realtors

Laura Dennis

Patricia Dinoa, Indian Nations Council of Governments (INCOG)

Kristi Eaton

Robert Evatt

Barbara Gibson, INCOG

Wayne Greene, Public Service Company of Oklahoma

Leah Harper, Oklahoma Natural Gas

Jamie Richert Jones

Kevin King, McGraw Realtors

Gary Krisman, McGraw Realtors

Deborah Laker

Jonathan Long, Tulsa Regional Chamber

Rhys Martin, Oklahoma Route 66 Association

Mark McElreah, Tulsa County Medical Society

Renee McKenney, Tulsa Regional Tourism

J. D. Myer

Jim Myers Morgan, Tulsa Regional Chamber

Christopher Payne, Union Public Schools

Michael Patton, Land Legacy

Gary Peluso-Verdend, Ph.D., Phillips Theological Seminary

Dave Rowland, Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance

Bailey J. Siegfried, NORDAM

Jim Sluss, Ph.D., University of OklahomaTulsa

John Smaligo, Associated Builders and Contractors of Oklahoma

Julie Wenger Watson

Lara Weber, City of Tulsa

Jane Ziegler, INCOG

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