Looking To The Future

Broken Arrow's economy is good, but could grow significantly if the city worked harder to bring in new business and build on the jobs already there. A consultant hired by the city says his research

Monday, March 12th 2007, 8:47 am

By: News On 6

Broken Arrow's economy is good, but could grow significantly if the city worked harder to bring in new business and build on the jobs already there. A consultant hired by the city says his research showed some people aren't sure when they've arrived in town and it's that idea of defining and selling Broken Arrow that he says is key to creating new jobs. The News On 6â€™s Emory Bryan reports the economic development guru said Broken Arrow should do more to define itself.

Broken Arrow's movers and shakers gathered for a consultant's pep talk on making BA's business climate better.

"If you can dream it, you can make it happen. This is not about rocket science," said Consultant Angelos Angelou.

Angelou told a gathering of 400 Broken Arrow business leaders that the community has plenty going for it, but needs to make a better effort selling the community to new businesses. His research found that Broken Arrowâ€™s school system is a positive and so is the all the new housing. But he believes Broken Arrow is missing out on manufacturing jobs the community really needs.

"Residential development does not generate enough taxes to support the infrastructure of a community long term, so you have to balance that with commercial development," said Angelou.

The biggest development lately in Broken Arrow has been the Bass Pro Shop, and everything around it, more shops and homes are planned for the hillside. But the advice the city is getting is that all this still isn't enough.

â€œOne business isn't going to sustain a town. All the businesses working together is what sustains a town,â€ said Air Assurance owner Narissa Rampey.

Rampey says it's up to everyone to sell outsiders on Broken Arrow and Oklahoma.

"I hear a lot of people come from other states who when they get here, rave about Oklahoma,â€ she said. â€œSo if we can build on that, we can go further.â€

The consultant said the top priority for Broken Arrow is to complete a good web site with information for companies that are looking to invest in Broken Arrow.

For more information about the Broken Arrow economic development strategy, click here.

Related stories:

4/27/2005 Development Near Broken Arrow's Bass Pro Shop

7/7/2006 Development Around Broken Arrowâ€™s Bass Pro Shops

2/3/2007 New DMV Could Mean Shorter Lines

2/18/2007 Branding Broken Arrow