Tulsa Regional Chamber ‘Pleasantly Surprised’ With 2020 Economic Report

The Tulsa Regional Chamber reported 2020 as an impressive year economically, even bringing in record capital investment, despite the pandemic. Rose Washington, chair of the 2021 chamber board and CEO of Tulsa Economic Development Corporation Creative Capital said there has been growing interest in the region.

"We've got to explore every opportunity,” said Washington. “We got to help businesses do that. We've got to help businesses pivot their business model if they have not."

Highlights for the region in 2020 include:

1. American Airlines' $550 million investment at its Tulsa maintenance base
2. Amazon's $130 million fulfillment center
3. Whirlpool's $55 million factory distribution center
4. Sofidel's $360 million facility in Inola
5. Milo's Tea Company $60 million production and distribution center

Tulsa mayor GT Bynum said public-private partnerships help our economy grow.

"We're having a lot of exciting conversations with companies that want to bring great jobs and a lot of investment to Tulsa, and my hope is those will come to fruition in the year ahead," said Bynum.

In 2021, Webco Industries is expanding its center in Sand Springs, and Muncie Power Products is building its new manufacturing facility.

Plus, construction will start on the $173 million Veteran's Hospital in Tulsa, while the Greenwood Rising Museum and Discovery Lab at Gathering Place are scheduled to open.

Washington said these projects are about people.

"All of the folks that move here and the aggregate number of them, then you've basically created a pretty large corporation," said Washington.

Washington said while growing our economy is important, we must also work together to make this region diverse, equitable, and inclusive.