Vision Tulsa 2022

2022

YOUR FUTURE IS CALLING. Don’t miss your chance to train for the career of your dreams.

At Tulsa Tech, we help students get on the path to a successful career. Prepare for your future in state-of-the-art classes and labs and learn the skills to achieve your goals.

Apply now for the 2022-23 school year at tulsatech.edu/apply or for more information, call (918) 828-5000.

MAKE YOUR OWN PATH » Full-time Careers Broken Arrow Campus 4000 W. Florence St.

» Part-time Classes

» Workforce Training

Lemley Memorial Campus 3420 S. Memorial Dr. » Client Service Center » Health Sciences Center » Industry Training Center

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Riverside Campus 801 E. 91st St.

Sand Springs Campus 924 E. Charles Page Blvd.

Contents Vision Tulsa 2022 is published for the Tulsa City Council, City of Tulsa, by Langdon Publishing.

Copyright © 2022 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 2022 ($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 2021.

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.

Greenwood Rising opened in June 2021 following commemorations for the Tulsa Race Massacre Centennial.

Introduction

50 Faith in Tulsa

83 High Tech

4 City Council

52 Philanthropy

86 Workforce Development

Assets

Public Sector

54 City of Tulsa Authorities

90 City Government

6 Mayor of Tulsa 7 Tulsa Global Alliance 7 Tulsa Regional Chamber

Culture 8 Route 66 10 People of Vision

Publisher: Jim Langdon Editor: Anne Brockman Contributing Editors: Blayklee Freed Tim Landes Morgan Phillips

GREENWOOD RISING: TIM LANDES; BUCK ATOM: VALERIE WEI-HAAS

Art Director: Madeline Crawford

11 The Arts

VP Community Relations: Susie Miller Sales Executives: Andrea Canada Josh Kampf Rita Kirk Research and Analysis: Martha Gregory Jennifer Pawlowski Cover Photos: Michelle Pollard

56 Partner in Prosperity 59 Tourism

Credits

62 The Business Case for Diversity

94 Acknowledgments

14 Live Music 16 Downtown 20 Destination Districts

Business Highlights

22 Parks

64 Commerce

25 Tulsa’s Native Heritage

70 Aviation and Aerospace

26 Our Neighbors

72 Media 73 Manufacturing

Graphic Designer: Georgia Brooks

76 Energy

Living 28 Demographics

78 Real Estate: Residential, Commercial Industrial

30 Transportation

82 Commercial Construction

32 Utilities 36 E nvironmental Management 38 Education 44 Health Care

92 Economic Profile

55 New Tulsans Initiative

Buck Atom, an attraction along Tulsa’s stretch of Route 66

95 Sponsor Index

City Council

Vanessa Hall-Harper

Jeannie Cue

Crista Patrick

Kara Joy McKee

Mykey Arthrell-Knezek

Councilor District 1

Councilor District 2

Councilor District 3

Councilor District 4

Councilor District 5

Connie Dodson

Lori Decter Wright

Phil Lakin Jr.

Jayme Fowler

Councilor District 6

Councilor District 7

Councilor District 8

Councilor District 9

City Council Staff Patrick Boulden Council Administrator Sarah Davis Deputy Council Administrator Megan Boyd Senior Council Communications Officer Lori Doring Secretary to the Council Chris Baughman Council Aide Elizabeth Tankard Council Aide Marissa Gomez Council Aide Brandon Worley Council Aide Simone Smith Council Support Assistant Jennifer Karbowski Council Support Assistant Tulsa councilors and Mayor G.T. Bynum tour the newly completed train depot at Route 66 Village.

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Council Chair Welcome to Tulsa, we are so glad that you’re here! Whether you’ve come to T-Town for business or pleasure, we hope you’ll find your time here inviting and maybe even a little bit intriguing.

As a Tulsan by choice, I am still discovering again and again why I chose to make this city my hometown and to raise my family here. Since moving here from the Silicon Valley in 2008, I have witnessed an exciting period of tremendous growth — a 21st century renaissance of creativity and innovation harkening back to Tulsa’s heydays as the “Oil Capital of the World.” We have a new kind of energy in Tulsa these days, which you can feel the moment you arrive.

Tulsa truly is Magic City and offers incredible cultural and historical attractions as well as stateof-the-art entertainment and arts venues. Excellent shopping and dining options abound across all four quadrants of our city. See the opera one night and go Western swing dancing the next.

Get your kicks on Route 66, then take in the natural beauty of our urban wilderness at Turkey Mountain or Oxley Nature Center. Make your way to Tulsa Farmers’ Market in historic Kendall Whittier and then sample the flavors of the world in our Global District. Don’t forget to check out Studio Row and the newly refurbished Church Studio, create your own unique art piece at ahha Tulsa, or explore the universe at the Tulsa Air and Space Museum. Each destination you visit will give you glimpses into our city’s history as an art deco oil and gas town that has fostered generations of incredible artists and innovators. Please be sure to live a little on “Tulsa Time” and take the opportunity to explore our unique neighborhoods from Greenwood, Owen Park and The Heights to Brookside, Cherry Street and Lortondale, as well as our other inviting districts such as the Blue Dome to the Deco District, the Pearl and the new Market District on the Mother Road.

As you get out and explore, you’ll see why Tulsa attracts entrepreneurs and creatives to collaborate ideas, innovate industries and generate prosperity. Whether it’s launching a new restaurant concept at Mother Road Market or developing a new tech start-up at 36 Degrees North Business Incubator, Tulsans know this is the place to take bold chances, try new approaches, and find great successes whether you are a longtime resident or have recently arrived. One of my favorite things about Tulsa is we have the unique environment of having big city amenities while retaining a small-town feel. You can be from somewhere else and feel at home here because you’ll find that Tulsans are friendly and eager to lend a hand. In fact, we’re known as America’s Most Generous City® and have perfected the public-private partnership.

A stunning example of this is our world-renowned public park, Gathering Place.

These are just a few of the hundreds of reasons why I have chosen to make this city my own for the past 14 years. Whether you choose to be in town for 14 hours, 14 days, 14 years or many, many more, thank you for making time to connect with the beautiful people and places of Tulsa.

It’s a great city made even better by your being here.

COURTESY TULSA CITY COUNCIL

With gratitude,

Lori Decter Wright Chair, Tulsa City Council tulsacouncil.org

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Mayor of Tulsa

Over the past year we dealt with a pandemic, civil unrest, a polar vortex and a ransomware attack on our computer systems. Yet through it all, Tulsans have shown consistent resolve.

Right now, we are authoring a period of history unlike any we have seen in our lifetimes. Tulsa is seeing record levels of investment, and I am honored to be the mayor of such a world-class, globally competitive city.

One of the most important things we did this year was establishing a new tool to drive economic development in our city. This tool is called the Tulsa Authority for Economic Opportunity (TAEO), which is a move that merged multiple authorities, boards and commissions to streamline and strengthen how we approach economic development in Tulsa. This move has allowed us to expand our impact by eliminating inefficiencies and increasing resources.

In the last five years, we saw more than $1 billion in new investments announced in our city. We also opened Oklahoma’s largest business incubator with 36 Degrees North right here in City Hall. This incubator is now fostering new businesses and ideas in Tulsa and is helping recruit and retain talent in a building with the resources to help make those ideas a reality.

When I think about resilient cities, I think about cities that set themselves up early on to deal with potential stressors and adverse events. One of the ways we did that at the City was initiating Tulsa’s first Rainy Day Fund — a fund that, in combination with furloughs early in the pandemic and other cost-saving measures, helped us save every

job at the City and helped us pass a balanced budget without the need for federal funds to bail us out.

In 2021, we championed, broke ground and continued momentum for projects that will improve Tulsans’ safety and quality of life. In November, we began the largest publicly funded road project in our history with the start of construction on the 81st to 91st Yale Avenue widening project. We also passed the largest pay increase for the Tulsa Police Department in its history, bringing us into better contention with other cities on starting police officer pay and helping us to attract the finest public servants to our city.

We are working now more than ever to ensure we are operating the kind of city we want to leave to those who follow us. Future generations of Tulsans are going to look back on these years when we first started hosting naturalization ceremonies in Tulsa and be able to point to this generation having ushered in a new wave of citizens, ideas and strength to our city.

None of what happened this last year would have been possible without the support of so many Tulsans. Our community is working together in ways it never has before, and as we continue to combat challenges with ideas, adverse events with resilience, and differences of opinion with shared decision-making processes, I want to thank everyone who is doing their part to help move Tulsa forward.

G.T. Bynum Mayor of Tulsa

At the September 2021 groundbreaking for Alfresco Group’s boutique hotel property, the Stradford21 hotel, in the new 36th Street North Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district.

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MAYOR: SHANE BEVEL; GROUNDBREAKING: COURTESY

While another year of challenges faced our city, Tulsans have increasingly faced those challenges with determination, resilience and solutions to ensure better outcomes.

Tulsa Global Alliance Tulsa Global Alliance is a multi-program, culturally focused, Tulsa-based nonprofit with a mission to build global community. The work of TGA is “citizen diplomacy.” While diplomats must 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.

These are some of TGA’s successes in 2021: • A s part of its continuing celebration of the 40th anniversary of Tulsa’s Sister City program, TGA dedicated a Sister Cities Directional Sign at Tulsa Ports, sponsored by Advance Research Chemicals, and another at GRC Park, sponsored by CCK Strategies. The signs display distances to Tulsa’s eight international Sister Cities and are the first of several signs TGA plans to install throughout the city.

• Tulsa International Airport hosted a poster display about Tulsa’s Sister Cities.

Each poster depicts a photo of the Sister City and the message “Welcome to Tulsa” in its native language.

• TGA hosted its first Sister City visitors since the beginning of the pandemic: Fire Chief Adolfo Miguel Benavente and Firefighter Israel Hernandez of Sister City San Luis Potosí, Mexico. They visited Tulsa for a rededication ceremony of San Luis Potosí Sister City Fountain at the Tulsa Fire Museum, and were hosted by the Tulsa Fire Department for meetings and trainings.

• T he Canadian Consul General in Dallas, Rachel McCormick, visited Tulsa on Oct. 12 to host a networking dinner with Tulsa businesses and invited them to a performance of “Come from Away.”

• TGA hosted 118 virtual international visitors representing 58 countries through the U.S. State Department International Visitor Leadership Program and Congressional Office of International Leadership’s Open World Program.

• TGA hosted its annual Global Vision Awards Gala honoring John Harper, Susan Neal and Oral Roberts University.

• Working with the Tulsa City-County Library, TGA hosted a hybrid World in a Box Day event featuring hands-on activities to educate children and families about Tulsa’s Sister Cities. At Central Library, 525 people participated in both an inperson scavenger hunt, took home hands-on activity kits representing the Sister Cities and watched videos to guide them through the activities.

Tulsa Regional Chamber 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 more than $1.5 billion in public and private investment in downtown, to qualityof-life improvements like the $465 million Gathering Place river development, to marquee venues such as the 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.

• O ver 150 Tulsans attended TGA’s SAVOR international food tasting event at Central Library, featuring 12 Tulsa restaurants.

• TGA continued its Global Speaker Series featuring presentations by former international visitors to Tulsa and Tulsans who have traveled overseas.

Tulsans continue to build and strengthen international friendships so 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.

Bob Lieser Vice President of Programs, Tulsa Global Alliance

Mike Neal President and CEO Tulsa Regional Chamber tulsacouncil.org

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Route 66

By Rhys Martin, President, Oklahoma Route 66 Association

The most famous road birthed from this progressive movement, U.S. Highway 66, has an important place in Tulsa’s history. That history is alive today through a variety of initiatives from the Tulsa Route 66 Commission and the enthusiasm of small business owners along all 28 miles of the historic highway in Tulsa’s city limits.

There are dozens of new neon signs throughout Tulsa made possible by the Commission’s Route 66 Neon Sign Grant Program. The corridor is literally buzzing with the unique artistry required to fashion these beautiful signs. Inspired by the towering Meadow Gold sign, the heart of a district that bears the same name, this grant program has helped businesses bring in new goods and services while honoring old traditions.

Take a drive down East 11th Street any time of the day and you’ll see folks admiring these signs.

in town. They all tell a bit more of Tulsa’s story connected to America’s Main Street.

the road’s centennial in 2026, so stay tuned to see what develops.

The University of Tulsa is the centerpiece of the appropriately named University District. This area is a melting pot of automobile-focused business and ground-floor enterprises. It’s easy to see where the road has been and where it’s going.

The impressive neon display at Tally’s Good Food Cafe on the corner of East 11th Street and South Yale Avenue is postcard-perfect.

The Kendall Whittier District sits on the road’s original 1926-1932 alignment at East Admiral Boulevard and South Lewis Avenue. Whittier Square is a tremendous success story thanks to the hard work and engagement of its Main Street Program. It is currently the home of the Tulsa Farmers’ Market, outdoor concerts, Tulsa’s only independent movie house and many locally owned shops. A vintage Phillips 66 station has been converted into 473, a swanky bar and outdoor space — it’s a filling station of a different kind!

The Tulsa Market District is anchored by Mother Road Market, Oklahoma’s first food hall and is undergoing a vast transformation. This area will look completely different by the time we reach

A replica Phillips 66 station sits at west Tulsa’s Route 66 Historical Village.

The heart of Route 66 has always been the small businesses that line the roadside, from the bustling streets of Chicago to the wide-open spaces of the Texas panhandle to the sandy beaches of Santa Monica. If you take a drive down either alignment of Route 66 in Tulsa, you’ll see that same spirit of entrepreneurship is alive and well here. Our stretch of the road is made up of several districts. Aside from the aforementioned Meadow Gold District, here’s a look at the others and what sets them apart.

The Gateway District is the easternmost section of the road in Tulsa. It’s where the rolling fields of Tulsa County transition into the commercial streets of the city. A beautiful gateway arch stands near the crossroads of Historic Route 66 and Interstate 44. This is also where you’ll find the first historic marker that the Tulsa Route 66 Commission has installed along the road; there are nearly 30 scattered across the alignments 8

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Tulsa musician Casii Stephan performs at a 2021 Kendall Whittier After Five event. The historic district sits on an original alignment of Route 66.

PHILLIPS 66, SIGN: GREG BOLLINGER; AFTER FIVE: MICHELLE POLLARD

If you’ve ever driven over potholes, you can certainly appreciate the value of a good road. In the early 20th century, there was an active Good Roads movement to improve the many dirt lanes across the country to prepare for the coming of the automobile. After all, getting your fancy Model T stuck in muddy ruts didn’t do much to dissuade people from trading in their old horseand-buggy.

Keeping to the original alignment, the Blue Dome District gets its name from another former filling station. The unique dome was the first 24-hour station in Tulsa; today this area provides nearly around-the-clock dining and entertainment. The walkability of downtown makes this a great starting point to tour the area’s remarkable art deco architecture or experience our vibrant Arts District.

At Avery Plaza Southwest, a collection of replicated signs from notable Route 66 businesses attracts visitors day and night.

Speaking of architecture, the Cathedral District is another recommended spot to park the car and take a walk. Half-a-dozen churches sit within a few square blocks, all of them bringing a distinctive voice of faith within eyeshot of the Mother Road. A vibrant mural at East 10th and South Main streets represents the district as stained glass in stunning detail.

The Red Fork District in west Tulsa embraces the city’s blue-collar roots in the oil and railroad industries. Route 66 Historical Village, which recently completed construction on a massive depot next to their Frisco locomotive, is a nexus that celebrates that vital part of Tulsa’s formative years. Stop in at the replica Phillips 66 station to learn more about the Village and the surrounding community. Further down Route 66 is Crystal City Shopping Center and the western gateway.

Tulsa wouldn’t be the same without Route 66.

It may not have come through Oklahoma at all had it not been for adopted Tulsan Cyrus Avery, a former County Commissioner and Good Roads advocate that helped shape the federal highway system. He championed the state-of-the-art 11th Street Bridge as the best place to cross the Arkansas River — which is why a statue of him stands proudly at the plaza on the east bank of the river along Southwest Boulevard. “East Meets West” is a sculpture that represents the new meeting the old — the story of progress.

Route 66 has always been a road of the future, one that paves the way for whatever comes next. Today you’ll find QR codes and electric car charging stations sitting next to buzzing neon signs and classic American muscle cars. But remember, the true experience of Route 66 is the opposite of Wi-Fi: the slower the speed, the greater the connection. Get out there and find your own journey! tulsacouncil.org

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People of Vision

By Connie Cronley

Gross has had plenty of experience dealing with COVID-19 in his day job as president and CEO of Hillcrest HealthCare System. It has been the hardest 22 months of his 36-year career in health care, he said.

What is your immediate goal as Chamber chair?

Focusing on economic development by attracting and retaining businesses, he said. Although Tulsa faces a very competitive marketplace nationally and internationally, he is optimistic. Things are reopening, companies are back at expanding and looking at relocating. “We’re in the appropriate position to capitalize on that.”

What are Tulsa’s strengths for economic growth? The Chamber has a great economic development team and great success and Tulsa is a great place to live, raise a family and work. We have the tools that we need, including resources, places for companies to relocate and economic incentives.

What other factors contribute to growth?

Tourism and the economic impact of more than 7 million people who visited Tulsa last year, staying in hotels, eating in restaurants and shopping, contributed to Tulsa’s growth by spending more than $800 million. “One of the highlights of 2022 is the PGA Championship in May which will bring tens of thousands of individuals here for tourism. Thanks to our partners at Southern Hills Country Club, this will be a great opportunity showcase Tulsa.”

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TERESA KNOX Entrepreneur Teresa Knox is focusing on two of her latest projects: The Church Studio (once the home of music icon Leon Russell’s Shelter Records, home of the Tulsa Sound) and the historic Harwelden Mansion she has renovated into a luxurious bed and breakfast and event center.

Knox is the epitome of “self-made.” In her early 20s she was a single mother working as a certified dental assistant. She developed a skill of training others and leveraged that to help others become self-sufficient, so she launched a business from her apartment.

She founded a dental assisting school, now known as Community Care College with programs in health care, legal and business; then Clary Sage College, for cosmetology and design; and Oklahoma Technical College, with programs in the skilled trades such as automotive, diesel, electrical, HVAC and welding. She grew the three-college campus system into one of the largest vocational schools in the region. She acquired an MBA from Oral Roberts University and also founded Knox Laboratory Services, a drug, and alcohol testing facility.

Why a focus on career and technical education?

“I believe in the power of career and technical education and how quickly it can impact someone’s life, lifting them out of poverty, addiction or other circumstance (with) extraordinary benefits to families, the economy and society.”

What’s next for you? Developing a nonprofit/forprofit hybrid business model for the Church Studio to become — in addition to a recording studio — a self-sustaining landmark that includes education and tourism components. She is committed to developing the neighborhood around The Church Studio with crime reduction, an increased tax base and visible enhancements of planting and infrastructure.

BRAD CARSON Brad Carson, new president of the University of Tulsa, comes with an impressive background.

Carson’s credentials include: a Rhodes Scholar (master’s degrees from Oxford in politics, philosophy and economics); U.S. House of Representatives; CEO of Cherokee Nation Business; U.S. Navy officer deployed to Iraq; general counsel of the U.S. Army; undersecretary of defense at the U.S. Department of Defense; University of Virginia faculty.

His vision for TU: To be the best school between the Rockies and the Mississippi, “transformative not only in the lives of students but in the broader community around them.” In the 1960s, Carnegie Mellon transformed the city of Pittsburgh and became a world-renowned school. He said the University of Tulsa can do that here, helping the city achieve goals of economic development, cultural enrichment and retention of young people.

How will you achieve this? His plan is to add new programs like cybersecurity while doubling down on TU’s renowned energy programs and emphasizing liberal arts, fine arts, humanities and social sciences.

TU’s strong Native American emphasis will continue, especially the Native American Law Center in the College of Law. “Higher education is changing but we’ll be on top of that and we will exploit those changes to our benefit.”

His vision of Tulsa: “A vital, vibrant city with a strong economic base and vast cultural activities that allows families to raise their children safely while offering them all the amenities that a world class community can be.”

KNOX: COURTESY; GROSS, CARSON: MICHELLE POLLARD; COME FROM AWAY: MATTHEW MURPHY

KEVIN GROSS Kevin Gross is chair of Tulsa Regional Chamber at one of the toughest times in the community’s history — a city emerging from the staggering effects of pandemic. He very well could be just the right person for the job.

The Arts

By Ken Busby, Route 66 Alliance

Tulsa is a resilient city! With challenges facing every sector of the economy, the arts have had an especially difficult time rebounding from the pandemic namely because so many of the arts depend on in-person experiences, whether visual or performing. With safety protocols in place, organizations that had pivoted to mostly virtual experiences in the spring and summer began to schedule in-person events in the fall of 2021.

In addition, Tulsa added two engaging public artworks this year, putting artists to work.

One is part of the city’s One Percent for Public Art program. “Highlight” is located at the Cox Business Convention Center and was created by Colorado artist Andrew Tirado. It features three oversized, colorful and integrated elements: a two-prong electrical plug, power cord and a light bulb raised 28 feet above the ground.

The City of Tulsa has long recognized the importance of the arts to the cultural life and economic wellbeing of our community. To assist organizations hit hard by the pandemic, the City of Tulsa, Tulsa City Council and the Arts Commission of the City of Tulsa established the Vision Arts Resiliency and Recovery Grant Program. The program provided $300,000 in grants to local nonprofit arts, humanities and cultural organizations.

The second artwork, the largest augmentedreality mural in the world, was commissioned for the Main Park Plaza parking garage by the Tulsa Authority for Economic Opportunity. “The Majestic” is an art deco-inspired depiction of flora and fauna native to the Tulsa area, including scissortail flycatchers, swallowtail butterflies, flathead catfish and eastern redbuds, which appear to come to life on your smartphone through augmented reality technology.

The central figure of the work is an angel holding two babies, also in the art deco style. The mural was created by Los Angeles-based artists Ryan “Yanoe” Sarfati and Eric “Zoueh” Skotnes.

Thanks to a new air filtration system, masking and vaccination policies, Tulsa’s performing arts organizations were able to bring their audiences safely to the Tulsa Performing Arts Center after more than 18 months.

Broadway’s anticipated return to the Tulsa PAC via Celebrity Attractions was highlighted by a much-heralded presentation of “Come From Away,” the musical that tells the true story of what transpired when 38 planes were ordered to land unexpectedly in the small town of Gander in the province of Newfoundland following the 9/11 attacks.

The cast of “Come From Away” performs at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center.

tulsacouncil.org

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Tulsa Opera returned to the ballpark, ONEOK Field to be precise, for its season opener, “Puccini and Verdi Play Ball,” with a selection of arias and duets from each of the featured composers, followed by a staged production of Puccini’s one-act comedy, “Gianni Schicchi.”

The remainder of the season was back at the Tulsa PAC. Tulsa Ballet, having installed a new air filtration system in its performance venue, presented “Creations in Studio K,” its annual celebration with established and rising choreographers creating original dance works for the company.

As part of its 65th anniversary season, Tulsa Ballet returned to the Tulsa PAC with “Breakin’ Bricks,” a work in commemoration of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, as well as a brand-new production of “The Nutcracker.”

For the visual arts, COVID-19 protocols continued to be in place in order to move from virtual programming to in-person engagement.

Before Gilcrease Museum closed for a major three-year renovation, it was able to welcome visitors old and new celebrating the creativity and influence of Indigenous women artists with “Weaving History Into Art: The Enduring Legacy of Shan Goshorn,” celebrating the life and work of the acclaimed Tulsa artist.

Across town, Philbrook Museum of Art also offered an Indigenous women’s art exhibition with “Hearts of Our People: Native Women Artists.” Philbrook presented other exhibitions, such as “Tulsa Treasures” and “From the Limitations of Now,” that showed how the museum is working to broaden its scope and attract new audiences.

Tulsa welcomed a new history and cultural center, Greenwood Rising, the legacy project of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Centennial 12

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Commission. Sen. Kevin Matthews, who chaired the Commission from its inception in 2015, noted, “Greenwood Rising will educate Oklahomans and Americans about the Race Massacre and its impact on the state and Nation; remember its victims and survivors; and create an environment conducive to fostering sustainable entrepreneurship and heritage tourism within the Greenwood District specifically, and north Tulsa generally.”

With a little bump due to the pandemic, the Tulsa Library Trust presented the 2020 Peggy V. Helmerich Distinguished Author Award in December 2021 to American novelist and essayist Marilynne Robinson, best known for her bestselling historical fiction “Gilead” series.

The Anne V. Zarrow Award for Young Readers’ Literature was presented by the Tulsa Library Trust to American author Jason Reynolds, the New York Times bestselling author of “All

American Boys;” the Track series, “Ghost, Patina, Sunny, and Lu;” “Long Way Down;” “For Every One” and “Miles Morales: Spider-Man.” The Woody Guthrie Center opened in 2013 in the Tulsa Arts District and is dedicated to celebrating Guthrie’s life and legacy and educating a new generation about his role in American history. One way it does this is through the Woody Guthrie Prize given annually to an artist who best exemplifies Woody Guthrie’s spirit and work by speaking for the less fortunate through music, film, literature, dance or other art forms and serving as a positive force for social change in America. The 2021 prize went to Bruce Springsteen for his work continuing Guthrie’s legacy. With more than 20 studio albums, Springsteen has used his storytelling ability to write songs that connect with people who faced the hard times and celebrated the good times. Often backed by the E Street Band, Springsteen’s music provides a soundtrack of

Artist Aunj Braggs and her work in Philbrook Museum of Art’s “From the Limitations of Now” BRAGGS: MICHELLE POLLARD; BALLET: JEREMY CHARLES/COURTESY TULSA BALLET; HIGHLIGHT: TIM LANDES

Tulsa Symphony began its 2021-2022 season with a brilliant opening concert featuring internationally renowned pianist Garrick Ohlsson under the direction of British conductor Bramwell Tovey. The title of the concert was “Triumph,” and indeed, the audience was extremely appreciative of the Tulsa Symphony musicians’ musical gift.

Tulsa Ballet’s “Breakin’ Bricks”

“Highlight” sits outside the Cox Business Convention Center.

resilience, strength, heart and joy despite or even in spite of the struggles thrown our way.

Drawing from his experiences growing up in New Jersey, Springsteen’s songs have connected on a universal level with fans worldwide.

The Tulsa Community Foundation and the George Kaiser Family Foundation continued an important arts-funding initiative, Arts Alliance Tulsa, a United Arts Fund that strengthens and supports the arts through fundraising, support services, audience development and allocation of resources. Thirty-nine cultural organizations in Tulsa are benefiting from this program designed to raise awareness of Tulsa’s rich arts scene.

108|Contemporary showcases contemporary fine craft, and hosted a fascinating exhibition, “A Luthier’s Tale: The Craft of Stringed Instruments,” blending the worlds of music and art. Guest curator Benjamin Liggett brought together local and regional makers in an exhibition dedicated to the art, craft and design of stringed instruments. Liggett conveyed his passion as a luthier in this exhibition, which was a survey of stringed instruments from a variety of luthiers who represent the culture and craftsmanship of our region.

These organizations, along with Magic City Books, Gilcrease Museum’s Zarrow Center for Art and Education, Living Arts of Tulsa and Tulsa Artists Coalition, reopened cautiously throughout the year and continued to attract visitors to downtown Tulsa each month during the First Friday Art Crawl. The success of the Tulsa Arts District, as well as the continued resurgence of downtown Tulsa, showcases the arts as a resilient force for our city.

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Live Music

By Julie Wenger Watson

Cain’s Ballroom

Ernie Fields Jr. plays the saxophone outside Cain’s Ballroom.

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 rhythms of ’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.

As the pandemic recedes, Tulsa’s music scene is gearing up for 2022. National acts are back on the road, and local live music is available every night of the week. Check with venues for COVID-19 policies on proof of vaccination, testing or mask requirements.

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 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. Nominated “Arena of the Year” nine times by Pollstar Magazine, 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.

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CAIN’S: GREG BOLLINGER; GATHERING PLACE: SHANE BEVEL/COURTESY

BOK Center

Today, the Ballroom 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 singer-songwriter Cat Power, Iceland’s alt-rock band Kaleo, Alabama’s eightpiece soul band St. Paul and the Broken Bones, and Canada’s electronic pop band Purity Ring. cainsballroom.com

Church Studio 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, hosting concerts with legacy artists like Kenny Loggins and Jimmy

Webb. Artists as diverse as Tom Petty and the GAP Band (acronym for Greewood Archer Pine) once recorded here, and the venue is still making history today. thechurchstudio.com

Casinos For those who like a side of gambling with their music, Tulsa is home to many first-class casinos housing excellent music venues. Hard Rock Live in the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino is a stateof-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

La Fiesta de Tulsa at Gathering Place

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.

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Downtown

By Laura Dennis

Downtowns are special. They are the economic engines of their regions. They provide a collective identity to a place and its citizens.

Denser development breeds a creative energy, while supporting regional entertainment and cultural destinations. Their carbon footprints are smaller, while providing all the amenities needed for a vibrant and walkable lifestyle. But perhaps more than anything, downtowns are special because they are everyone’s neighborhood — to live, work and play.

Downtown Tulsa is the innovative fusion of big city amenities and small-town comforts. Locals and visitors can go to world-class concerts at the BOK Center, watch a movie or participate in numerous healthy activities at the Guthrie Green urban park, explore the city’s historic Route 66 and art deco architecture, shop for local goods, or take in scenic views at numerous dining establishments. Whatever calls someone to downtown Tulsa, they can expect great food, friendly conversations, and enough events to fill a weekend or even a lifetime.

Outdoor dining Outdoor dining continued to be a favored compromise for both diners and restaurant owners as the global pandemic lingered.

Weekends on Main was one popular solution.

Restaurants and venues along Main Street in the Tulsa Arts District offered outdoor street dining on the weekends by closing one block of the street to vehicle traffic. Designed as an attempt to offer more outdoor, physically distanced dining, the community quickly embraced the idea. Musicians joined in the act, too, such as the pop-up performance on July 2 by the Tulsa Peoples’ Orchestra.

Ordinances allowing business owners to construct parklets continued into 2021. Parklets help reimagine and reuse on-street parking spaces to extend the sidewalk to provide new space for seats, tables or other public amenities.

Parklets are built and maintained by an adjacent business and offer residents and visitors new opportunities to stop, sit and enjoy the surrounding neighborhood street life. Parklets increase street vibrancy and can improve the quality of life in Tulsa’s commercial corridors.

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In 2021, the Downtown Tulsa Partnership was formed by property and business owners, as well as civic leaders, to advocate for and champion the continued improvement of downtown. The Downtown Tulsa Partnership manages the downtown improvement district and provides enhanced maintenance, beautification and livability services, mobility and public realm planning, and marketing and place enhancement initiatives that result in a vibrant, inclusive urban neighborhood. Visit downtowntulsaok.com to learn more.

Elote Cafe and Catering’s parklet

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MICHELLE POLLARD

In 2020, an effort was launched by the City of Tulsa to create a strategic plan for a new downtown management organization to oversee enhanced service delivery in downtown Tulsa.

After engaging more than 4,000 Tulsans through one-on-one interviews, roundtable discussions and a community survey, five common themes were identified as important areas of focus: Economic vitality; clean, safe and welcoming; beautification; mobility; and communications.

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 that Brookside, Cherry Street, the Pearl District, 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 very own. They, too, are seeing their fair share of revitalization and new construction.

Brookside, or “The Place to Be,” 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 with shops, restaurants and bars 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 historic Church Studio will open after a years-long renovation and numerous brewpub and brewery headquarters reside in area.

In 2020 South Boston (SoBo) saw the renovation of existing restaurants with new additions on 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.

Downtown districts There is much to see and do within Downtown Tulsa’s distinct 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, the BOK Center and neighboring event space Cox Business Convention Center promises phenomenal experiences for Tulsa.

BLUE DOME DISTRICT The Blue Dome District is one of Tulsa’s favorite entertainment districts.

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.; a locally sourced meal at Juniper; munch on gourmet donuts at Hurts Donut Co.; or enjoy classic arcade games at The Max Retropub.

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 Landmarks. 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 all over town can seek higher education goals. Public Service Co. of Oklahoma is a cornerstone of the district, and a neighboring community partner.

DECO DISTRICT Downtown Tulsa’s Deco District 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 The East Village 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” by Booker T. Washington, 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 Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921 destroyed much of the district, the community rebuilt from the ashes. Today, the Historical 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. The Greenwood Rising history museum opened in 2021 of the 100-year commemoration of the Tulsa Race Massacre.

TULSA ARTS DISTRICT The Tulsa Arts District has morphed into an eclectic collection of entertainment, restaurants, offices, retail, residential and arts establishments. Home to the popular Guthrie Green, ahha, Woody Guthrie Museum and more, the Tulsa Artist District continues to grow and transform. Construction continues on the 50,000-square-foot OKPOP Museum, which will be devoted to Oklahoma music, film, comics, TV and literature. Joining the other museums in the district, the Bob Dylan Center is set to open in May 2022 and will allow the public to interact with items in the collection of Bob Dylan Archives.

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The parklet program was created to complement the existing sidewalk cafe program, which allows businesses to use a portion of the public sidewalk for expanded outdoor dining. Similar to the parklet program, the sidewalk cafe program helps create a sense of vibrancy among the streets of downtown Tulsa. As you travel the streets of downtown Tulsa, stop and enjoy a meal, coffee or beer outside on the sidewalk or nearby parklet. You’ll be glad you did.

To see a full list of restaurants and bars offering outdoor dining options, visit downtowntulsaok. com/outdoordining.

Grab a beer Downtown Tulsa has long been known for its restaurant scene, but the past few years have brought a variety of breweries to the neighborhood.

Eerie Abbey Ales is downtown’s newest brewery and is located in the heart of the Deco District at 507 S. Main St. Eerie Abbey Ales specializes in Belgian style beers and has a large taproom with an outdoor sidewalk cafe space.

Elgin Park is the place where sports, beer and pizza meet. Located across the street from ONEOK Field, Elgin Park offers a selection of house drafts to accompany its menu of pizza, sandwiches and ballpark snacks. Stop by on a Thursday night for discounted pints of house brewed beer.

Public art Downtown Tulsa is home to much of Tulsa’s best-known public art, including murals, sculptures and more. While it’s fun to walk the streets of downtown Tulsa finding new art, here are a few places to start. Commissioned in 2019 by the Urban Core Art Project, the “Be the One” sculpture located in H.A. Chapman Centennial Green features a large 9 and 8. Stand in the middle of the two numbers to “be the one” and complete the area code. Nearby you will find the Tulsa Art Alley, a hidden art oasis between Fifth and Sixth streets and Boston Avenue and Main Street. More than 20 artists have their work featured in the art alley, including large-scale murals, mosaic work and photography.

In 2021, two major installations debuted in downtown. “The Majestic” is the largest augmented reality mural in the world at 410 S. Main St. “Highlight” is an oversized sculpture outside the Cox Business Convention Center.

Read more about these on p. 11.

While you’re in downtown Tulsa, head to the Blue Dome District to see even more public art.

The Grooper office building, located at 415 E. Third St., features two murals completed by nationally known mural artists. Inspired by Tulsa musicians, Denver-based artist Thomas Evans created a colorful tribute to Tulsa Sound on the building. On the other side of the building facing downtown Tulsa, you’ll find a detailed astronaut featuring the skyline painted by JEKS. It’s no surprise the Tulsa Arts District and Historic Greenwood District also feature plenty of murals and public art to see and enjoy. Living Arts of Tulsa works with artists each year to create new murals to commemorate Dia de los Muertos. Stop by to see the annual murals located in the alley near 307 E. Reconciliation Way. New to the Tulsa Artist District, ColorPop Studios unveiled a mural commissioned by Tulsa Arts Alliance featuring nods to the neighborhood.

The mural is located on the side of The Chowhouse, located at 18 E. Reconciliation Way.

“The Majestic” is the largest augmented reality mural in the world and can be found at 410 S. Main St.

Welltown Brewing is located at 114 W. Archer St. and boasts one of downtown Tulsa’s best rooftop patio views. In addition to the skyline views, the brewery is known for their adventurous brews and out-of-the-box event ideas.

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MAJESTIC: TIM LANDES

NEFF Brewing, located at 321 S. Frankfort Ave., is a destination for craft beer enthusiasts in the region. As the only gluten-free brewery in the area, the beer is “brewed for everyone” and has won national awards for its beer. NEFF Brewing also features a gluten-free kitchen offering a full menu.

Left: Maker Space Coordinator Hector Arrazola (right) works with a staff member at the Maker Space in TCCL’s Central Library Devin Evans, coordinator of the Digital Literacy Lab at Central Library, sits in one of the Lab’s flight simulators.

Photos by John Fancher.

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 375,080 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. Learn more about each at tulsalibrary.org/programs-andservices.

TCCL’s goals encompass great aspirations for Tulsa County’s economic development. TCCL’s Research Wizard is a unique service offering professional research and information gathering assistance to companies, organizations and individuals. The service designs tailored on-demand information products for its clients and delivers them on a fee basis. Visit researchwizard.org or call 918-549-7431 for more information.

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. tulsacouncil.org

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Destination Districts

By Laura Dennis

In an effort to imbue new life and vitality into some of the lesser-known, yet significant parts of the city, Tulsa Planning Office has added a new initiative to its roster. Since 2019, Destination Districts has looked to increase economic growth, support cultural representation and create a deep sense of community in areas of Tulsa with historical and cultural importance. In doing so, TPO aims to retain talent, attract new residents and increase tourism opportunities within these neighborhoods, according to TPO’s website.

“Our purpose is to create vibrant places in Tulsa where people want to be,” said Luisa Krug, former manager for TPO’s Destination Districts program.

In short, Destination Districts is a commercial revitalization program, intended to help struggling areas in Tulsa realize their full potential, she said. As the liaison between TPO and approved districts, Krug assists them through the process of becoming their own entity by offering technical support, guidance and marketing expertise. After identifying a district,

the manager guides a steering committee through the process to become a Main Street organization, which includes an application to the Oklahoma Main Street Center, creating a board and incorporating with the State of Oklahoma, applying for 501(c)(3) status, and creating a strategic plan and goals for the organization.

All of this is supported through seed funding from the City of Tulsa. The steering committee is made up of community leaders, advocates, business owners and property owners. “The idea is that these districts will eventually be self-

GREENWOOD: MICHELLE POLLARD; GREG BOLLINGER

Kendall Whittier Main Street

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sufficient,” Krug said. “Which is why we have certain criteria for eligibility.”

Historic Greenwood Main Street

When determining a potential Destination District, Krug looks for environments where small businesses can thrive. Ideally, they also have a diverse and committed community with the desire and potential for growth. The goal is the district becomes an authentic representation of its community and consists of local businesses that appeal to shoppers, businesses and residents.

Currently, the program has selected four locations as Destination Districts. In 2019, TPO took on Kendall Whittier Main Street, located at East Admiral Boulevard and North Lewis Avenue, and Route 66 Main Street, located at 3310 Southwest Blvd. Both of which offer a plethora of mixed-income housing and small businesses.

The Historic Greenwood Main Street, located at North Greenwood Avenue and East Archer Street, and East Tulsa Main Street, located at the intersection of East 21st Street and South Garnett Road, were added to the list in 2020.

Historic Greenwood, also known as “Black Wall Street” is home to the 1921 Race Massacre.

Its history includes a hub of successful Blackowned businesses that continue to thrive today.

East Tulsa Main Street is home to a diverse amount of immigrants from multiple cultures and ethnicities and is growing at a rapid pace.

Krug said TPO would like to expand the program in 2022, based on funding availability. This could include new Main Street programs and/ or technical assistance for smaller districts that are just starting but aren’t ready to become Main Streets.

East Tulsa Main Street

Route 66 Main Street

Tulsa Planning Office is looking for areas for the city that have historical or cultural significance, but need additional investment to realize their full potential as a destination within the city. Krug said, “We want people to see these places as destinations within their own city, because they are.”

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Parks

By Deborah Laker

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

River Parks Along the Arkansas River are 26 miles of asphalt-surfaced 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.

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Fishing, rowing and kayaking are some of the other activities available on the river itself. Zink Lake, a pool created by the low water dam at East 29th Street and Riverside Drive is a popular spot for water sports as well as catching catfish and striped bass during the summer.

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 Opened in September 2018, Gathering Place is Tulsa’s $465 million riverfront park. In the park’s 70 acres, guests can traverse the Chapman Adventure Playground to find towers, slides, climbing features and numerous play gardens. The park’s iconic Boathouse is the site of the Cabinet of Wonder, a dizzying collection of inquisitive items and thought-provoking displays. Grab a seat on the east-facing deck to catch a view of Peggy’s Pond and all the park’s activities. 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.

MICHELLE POLLARD

With smoothly paved, winding paths it is no surprise that River Parks hosts multiple running and cycling races. Other outdoor events include

concerts, festivals and fireworks shows, such as the Folds of Honor FreedomFest, Tulsa’s July 4th celebration, and Linde Oktoberfest.

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Construction of next-door neighbor Discovery Lab recently finished. The 57,000-square-foot educational center opened in early 2022 and boasts numerous exhibits and science-based learning opportunities for children of all ages.

Work will continue through 2022 on the Gateway Bridge, a $27.4 million project to connect the east and west 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, an 18-hole golf course, a 36-hole disc golf course, as well as numerous pavilions, playgrounds and trails. In August 2021, the City closed its Redbud Valley Nature Preserve until May 2022 to address increased foot traffic, instances of vandalism and damage to the environment and ecosystem.

The 6,553 acres of Tulsa parks are a great place to foster community through work or play.

Six community centers offer Tulsans various amenities such as fitness facilities, art studios and meeting rooms. Furthermore, the parks department is responsible for the upkeep of 57 miles of walking trails and two skate parks.

Dog-lovers can be found in the three dog parks around the city. There are four public golf courses and eight disc golf courses scattered across T-Town. Parents organize play dates for their children in the 99 playgrounds that are often located close to residential areas. 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

Gathering Place

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Tulsa Zoo Tulsa Zoo has worked to enrich the community for more than 90 years by connecting, caring and advocating for wildlife, people and wild places. The deep community support experienced by the zoo has allowed it to provide the highest quality care to 3,000 animals and 300 species throughout a global pandemic, while also moving forward with its master plan to rebuild and reimagine your zoo.

The first project of Phase Two, Helmerich Playground: Behaving Like Animals, is open and bringing fun to families. As Tulsa Zoo continues moving forward in 2022, it is preparing to break ground on two major projects — Oxley Family Elephant Experience and Elephant Preserve and African Wilds: Carnivores. The elephant preserve will be one of the world’s largest in a zoo. The African Wilds: Carnivores project will include a new home for Tulsa’s lion pride and other African species,

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.

The Osage Prairie Trail extends 14.5 miles from the city to the town of Skiatook. After completion in 2006, this trail is popular among cyclists. It also connects to other trails in the Tulsa area.

Trail users can find bike racks, water fountains and benches along the trail.

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

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Rendering of pygmy hippo exhibit in the new African Wilds: Carnivores section of Tulsa Zoo.

and bring with it zebras and pygmy hippos.

Funding from the 2025 Vision package and private donors will support the renovation and expansion of the elephant exhibit as well as a new front entry to accommodate the 1 million guests per year Tulsa Zoo expects to welcome once the rebuild is complete.

The City of Tulsa, which owns the zoo, and Tulsa Zoo Management Inc., the nonprofit that manages zoo operations, are working together to build the world-class zoo the community and our animals deserve.

Visit buildingbeyond.org for more detailed information about the master plan and tulsazoo.org to plan your next zoo adventure.

LaFortune Park

LAFORTUNE PARK: MICHELLE POLLARD; COUNCIL OAK; GREG BOLLINGER

With the completion of Phase One of Building Beyond Your Wildest Dreams, the zoo improved both animal and guest experiences with the additions of the Mary K. Chapman Rhino Reserve, Lost Kingdom exhibit complex, Osage Casino and Hotel Giraffe Barn, and St. John Family Den.

Tulsa’s Native Heritage

By Kristi Eaton and Tim Landes

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

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 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.

Recently, there have been both positive and less than positive visions toward the future.

The City Council has created a new Tribal Relations Committee and will work with tribes on city policy and bridge divides between the City Council. In November 2021, the City also renamed Veterans Park to Dream Keepers Park in honor of Native American contributions to the city.

of Jimcy McGirt, who was retried in federal court and sentenced to life. The Governor’s office is challenging the ruling that the tribe’s state upholds tribal sovereignty. 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 390,000 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 also is investing heavily in education. The tribe has partnered with Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology as well as Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences to create more STEM career

opportunities for tribal citizens. Cherokee Nation also has partnered with OSU-Tulsa to create a state-of-the-art film lab to capitalize on the growing film industry.

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 cocreated 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 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.

“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.

The Cherokee Nation, he notes, has been heavily involved in food security and works with the Community 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 Creek Council Oak Park sits at 1750 S. Cheyenne Ave. and features an ethno-botanical garden of plants used traditionally by the Muscogee people. tulsacouncil.org

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Our Neighbors Anyone who has ever seen Bixby’s open fields and green spaces will sing the city’s praises as a pleasant, peaceful place to visit and live.

Bixby households have a median annual income of just over $83,000, according to the U.S. Census. New housing developments are keeping with the city’s population growth as Bixby continues to be one of the fastest-growing communities in the state.

The Bixby Public Schools system is well-rounded in science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics. Classes in agriculture, foreign language, and vocational and technical education also are available.

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 splash pad.

Walking paths nearby connect to trails along the Arkansas River.

People from surrounding communities come to Bixby each year to participate in its festivals.

Green Corn Festival, held by the Bixby Optimist Club for decades, is a local favorite with a youth talent show, parade, eating contests and plenty of grilled corn. The Bixby Rotary BBQ ’n Blues Festival draws equally large crowds with barbecue pork, beef and chicken.

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. Shortly after the city’s founding at the turn of the 20th century, civic leaders urged citizens to adorn the streets with rose bushes in order to beautify the dusty, frontier landscape. Now, the city has honored its history with the creation of the Rose District, a pedestrian-friendly cultural center in downtown BA for those seeking great art, local music and unforgettable dining experiences.

One of the Rose District’s grandest attractions is the Broken Arrow Performing Arts Center. This 1,500-seat venue hosts local professional shows

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and touring performers, in addition to all of 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 has a history of athletic excellence and is home to the Pride of Broken Arrow, one of the foremost competitive marching bands in the country. One of Northeastern State University’s three campuses resides here, which offers health science, education and business among its degrees to more than 3,500 students.

Jenks While Jenks has access to many of the amenities of a larger city, it’s 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 widely recognized as one of the best in Oklahoma and has been the recipient of the prestigious Malcolm Baldridge Award for quality and organizational performance excellence. In addition, Jenks High School is known for its strong athletic programs, and has one of the most heated high school football rivalries in the country with Union, in what is known as the Backyard Bowl Series.

Jenks has a booming housing market with many contemporary homes. Residents and visitors can enjoy the beautiful sights, as well as the shopping and dining opportunities at Riverwalk.

The South Lakes Golf Course serves golfers from the city and the nearby communities, and hikers take advantage of the trails at nearby Turkey Mountain Urban Wilderness Area, which connect to Tulsa’s 80-mile trail system.

Jenks is home to many original festivals, including the Jenks Herb and Plant Festival, which features gardening and lifestyle vendors, as well as live music and food purveyors.

Fishing at Jenks’ Veterans Park

JENKS: MICHELLE POLLARD; BA: BROKEEN ARROW CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Bixby

Owasso

Sand Springs

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.

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

Owasso has a bevy of shopping options, from large retailers to one-of-a-kind specialty stores.

It is home to a wealth of dining options and a great early education system as well, making it an ideal place to start a family.

Owasso is home to three golf courses. Bailey Ranch Golf Club, a 400-acre public course, features creeks, lakes and native grassland.

The Owasso Golf and Athletic Club, an 18-hole course on about 145 acres, hosts the annual Lindsey Cup Finals tournament. The Patriot Golf Club was named by Golfweek as one of the nation’s top modern courses in 2017. With incredible vistas from atop cliffs, the club hosts the annual Patriot Cup Invitational tournament during Memorial Day weekend, benefiting the nonprofit Folds of Honor.

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. Home to the 1,360-acre Keystone Ancient Forest, 500-year-old cedars and 300-year-old post oak trees thrive in the preserved wilderness area. More than 80 species of butterflies can be seen in the forest, as well as eagles, deer and bobcats. Keystone State Park is another scenic spot full of fun for the whole family.

Nearby Osage Casino and the Canyons at Blackjack Ridge golf course provide entertainment if you’re looking to get away for the weekend. In the springtime, Sand Springs

Broken Arrow’s Taste of Summer is an annual tradition.

celebrates its annual and ever-popular Herbal Affair and Festival, one of the largest gatherings in celebration of gardening, herbs, and outdoor arts and crafts in the state. In the meantime, check out the Sand Springs Cultural and Historical Museum, a prime example of art deco architecture from the 1920s that preserves and promotes the city’s heritage and arts.

Sand Springs’ economy is proudly based on promotion of small businesses; however, they also are home to Webco Industries, one of North America’s largest suppliers of industrial tubing products. With state-of-the-art early childhood education programs, 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 has a history of a thriving manufacturing industry and became well-known regionally as a producer of brick and glass.

Perhaps best known of its local companies was Frankoma Pottery, famous for its distinctive use of local red clay.

Within a nine-block area encompassing Sapulpa’s downtown, 90% of the buildings were constructed from 1905-1952. Many of these were designed by Belgian architect Joseph Foucart, who also worked on several notable buildings in Guthrie, Oklahoma. The Sapulpa Historical Society and Museum contains information about this and other elements of the town’s cultural past, and is located in the 1910 Wills Building.

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.

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Demographics

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

The Tulsa Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) is made up of Tulsa County and six surrounding counties: Creek, Okmulgee, Osage, Pawnee, Rogers and Wagoner. According to the Census Bureau, the 2020 population count for the Tulsa MSA was 1,015,331 — an increase of over 77,800 people since 2010. This achieves 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 total of 669,279 in 2020.

The City of Tulsa’s 2010 population was reported by the Census Bureau to be 391,906. The 2020 population total for Tulsa shows the city growing by more than 21,000 people to a total of 413,066.

Many of Tulsa’s neighboring communities have continued to grow, as well. Reports for surrounding communities, based on the 2020 Census, list populations in Bixby, 28,609; Broken Arrow, 113,540; Collinsville, 7,881; Glenpool, 13,691; Jenks, 25,949; Owasso, 38,240; Sand Springs, 19,874; and Sapulpa 21,929.

P OP U L AT ION DENSI T Y T U L S A COUNTY BLOCK GROUPS PERSONS PER SQ MILE LESS THAN 1,800 1,801 TO 3,500 3,501 TO 5,000 5,001 TO 7,300 GREATER THAN 7,301

CURRENT TIME: 11/17/2021 2:34 PM DATA SOURCE: US BUREAU OF THE CENSUS 2020 PL94-171 REDISTRICTING DATA FILE

The most recent data from the U.S. Bureau of the Census 2020 (PL94-171 Redistricting Data File) reports the City of Tulsa’s population has grown by 5.4% since 2010. The non-Hispanic white race group has declined to just under 50% of the City’s population. The race group categories of Asian and Two or more races has significantly increased in the 10-year time span with both categories growing by more than 50%. All minority groups together represent over 48% of the City of Tulsa population. The Hispanic community accounts for 19% of the City’s population and an increase of 43% since 2010.

The number of housing units in the city has increased by more than 6,000 units since the last census with nearly 90% of those being occupied. The Census reported vacancy rate over the decade has decreased from 11.43 in 2010 to 10.31 today. Tulsa’s persons per household have remained the same over the past 10 years at 2.4 persons per household while the national trend has shown household sizes are decreasing.

The share of the population under 18 in the City of Tulsa has decreased slightly, which is also on trend with the nation and its aging population.

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CITY OF TULSA BY RACE GROUPS 2 0 2 0 C E N S U S DATA WHITE – 52% BLACK OR AFRICAN AMERICAN – 15% AMERICAN INDIAN OR ALASKA NATIVE – 5% ASIAN – 3% NATIVE HAWAIIAN AND OTHER PACIFIC ISLANDER – 0% SOME OTHER RACE – 10% TWO OR MORE RACES – 15%

TULSA POPUL ATION TREND YEAR

CIT Y OF TULSA

TULSA COUNT Y

TULSA MSA

1900

1,390

NA

NA

1907

7,298

21,693

121,878

1910

18,182

34,995

159,588

1920

72,075

109,023

321,213

1930

141,258

187,574

416,847

1940

142,157

193,363

400,584

1950

182,740

251,686

422,350

1960

261,685

346,038

503,090

1970

330,350

399,982

572,548

1980

360,919

470,593

711,652

1990

367,302

503,341

761,019

2000

393,049

563,299

859,532

2010

391,906

603,403

937,478

2011

393,005

609,204

945,750

2012

394,643

615,181

952,484

2013

398,401

623,705

961,904

2014

399,892

630,918

969,421

2015

403,491

640,470

980,926

2016

404,007

645,951

988,706

2017

402,060

646,437

991,330

2018

400,414

647,683

993,135

2019

401,190

651,552

998,626

2020

413,066

669,279

1,015,331

TULSA MSA REPRESENTS CREEK, OKMULGEE, OSAGE, ROGERS, TULSA AND WAGONER COUNTIES. SOURCES: U.S. CENSUS BUREAU AND OKLAHOMA STATE DATA CENTER COMPILED BY RESEARCH WIZARD, TULSA CITY-COUNTY LIBRARY

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Transportation

By Viplava Putta, Indian Nations Council of Governments

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

The Tulsa Transportation Management Area Trails Master Plan, first developed in 1999, identified 44 corridors for trail development throughout the metro area, comprised of 283 miles of offroad multiuse trails and 207 miles of on-road linkages. This plan has been used by communities throughout the metropolitan area as a tool for trail location and design. The updated GO plan nearly quadruples the extent of the infrastructure planned for the Tulsa region.

The GO plan, an update to the original Trails Master Plan, has guided efforts to improve active transportation within the region over the previous five years and is helping the BicyclePedestrian Planning within the communities. The plan provides a blueprint at the planning level for regional connectivity and focus to bicycle travel, as well as pedestrian treatments in the region.

City of Tulsa voters approved a first-ever dedicated operational funding for the public transportation system. It enabled Tulsa to move forward with implementing the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) on Peoria Corridor, which launched on Dec. 19, 2019. The 11th Street corridor is currently under design for BRT implementation. These efforts are the results of the regional transit system plan, the

fast-forward plan for transit. These projects, once implemented, will foster economic development along the corridors and significantly improve the mobility needs of all Tulsans.

The Regional Transit System Planning also included the recommendation of various corridors connecting Tulsa with the surrounding cities and addresses commuter travel within the metro area.

As a result of this study, the Peoria BRT corridor has been identified as a transformational project for the City of Tulsa and the region. City of Tulsa was awarded $6 million in federal funds to improve connectivity along both the 11th Street and Peoria corridors, that will include signal upgrades, transit signal priority and fiber connectivity.

An update to the regional long-range transportation plan, Connected 2045, was adopted at the end of 2017. The new plan

T U L S A ME T ROP OL I TA N S TAT I S T IC A L A R E A T R A N SP OR TAT ION INDU S T RY EMPLOYMENT 2022 I N D U S T RY

AV E R AG E E M P LOY ED I N 2 0 21

Transportation Industry

27,846

Transportation Equipment manufacturing

11,723

Trucking

5,603

Warehouse & Storage

3,048

Transportation Support Activities

2,605

Couriers & Messengers

2,289

Pipeline Transportation

1,505

Air Transportation

777

Transit & Ground Passenger Transportation

296

Many thoroughfares in Tulsa have incorporated bike lanes to accommodate all modes of transportation.

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GREG BOLLINGER

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

features all modes of transportation, including public transportation, bicycle and pedestrian facilities, and future roadway infrastructure based on needs.

Gilcrease Expressway has been studied by the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority (OTA) and it was included as a part of a part of the Driving Forward Oklahoma turnpike package. More recently, these partnerships with the Department of Transportation as well as INCOG and City of Tulsa have enabled OTA to break ground on the project.

The Gilcrease Turnpike will open to traffic in 2022.

The 2045 Plan update improvises on the choices for roadway expansion and maintenance. The 2045 Plan also incorporates the vision for Intelligent Transportation System and safety for all transportation users 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, such an enhanced bus transit using existing rightsof-way. INCOG has helped the Metropolitan Tulsa Transit Authority in conducting a robust operational analysis and final routing and scheduling changes were recently approved and implemented in 2019.

One major objective of the plan is to encourage suburban communities to connect with community facilities via the new and improved trails system.

Once connections are established, citizens will have an alternative transportation option to travel between communities and the City of Tulsa by bicycle or on foot.

Tulsa Port of Catoosa, located five miles from Tulsa, opened in 1971 and has supplied services to more than 50,000 barges and transported 82 million tons of cargo.

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 3,000 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 $300 million to Oklahoma.

Tulsa International Airport, established in 1928 and located just 10 minutes northeast of downtown Tulsa, also plays an important role in the economic vitality of the region with an impact of more than $3 billion annually. The airport employs more than 15,000 people and provides not only commercial benefits (moving more than

31,000 tons of cargo each year), but also services business and leisure travelers. More than 3 million passengers travel through the airport each year.

Improvements continue at the airport. The security area and the outside passenger arrival section improvements have been completed as well as taxiway improvements and runway extensions.

A IR TR A NSPORTATION

BARGE TONNAGE

YEAR

T O TA L PA S S E N G E R S

AIR FRIEGHT

YEAR

B A RG E TONS

1996

3,387,803

48,118

1997

2,160,948

1997

3,414,301

49,673

1998

2,417,537

1998

3,463,214

48,905

1999

2,242,850

1999

3,419,975

51,418

2000

2,210,061

2000

3,498,722

52,458

2001

2,046,692

2001

3,243,965

48,294

2002

2,223,103

2002

2,907,308

48,188

2003

2,250,139

2003

2,747,203

51,059

2004

2,220,871

2004

2,943,919

54,825

2005

1,819,905

2005

3,132,962

53,578

2006

2,321,448

2006

3,168,716

56,784

2007

2,010,505

2007

3,218,429

60,103

2008

2,050,394

2008

3,180,765

59,334

2009

2,058,191

2009

2,812,295

58,975

2010

2,266,893

2010

2,763,562

54,675

2011

2,160,624

2011

2,707,668

55,743

2012

2,702,464

2012

2,654,189

56,372

2013

2,700,990

2013

2,647,889

58,148

2014

2,367,127

2014

2,759,468

58,627

2015

1,551,807

2015

2,739,429

59,857

2016

2,260,837

2016

2,727,913

53,612

2017

2,553,990

2017

2,865,824

58,602

2018

2,085,113

2018

3,048,357

65,818

2019

1,358,592

2019

3,053,528

64,685

2020

2,046,262

2020

1,332,433

57,562

20211

1,189,735

2021

1,464,645

39,834

1

AIR FREIGHT IN TONS. 1 2021 IS YEAR-TO-DATE TOTAL THROUGH AUGUST SOURCE: TULSA AIRPORT AUTHORITY. COMPILED BY RESEARCH WIZARD, TULSA CITY-COUNTY LIBRARY

2021 IS YEAR-TO-DATE TOTAL THROUGH SEPTEMBER SOURCE: TULSA PORT OF CATOOSA. COMPILED BY RESEARCH WIZARD, TULSA CITY-COUNTY LIBRARY 1

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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 For more than 100 years, Tulsa-based Public Service Company of Oklahoma has been empowering the people of Oklahoma.

PSO serves more than 30,000 square miles of eastern and southwestern Oklahoma, and over a half million customers — 300,000 in the Tulsa metropolitan area alone.

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, making $13.6 million in contributions to Oklahoma causes

Oklahoma Natural Gas serves nearly 900,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in the state.

CONTINUED ON P. 34

TUL SA UTILIT Y COSTS / T Y P IC A L MON T HLY BIL L

E L E C T R I C I T Y - 2 0 2 0 A N N U A L AV E R A G E E L E C T R I C I T Y P R I C E Public Service Company of Oklahoma

U.S. Average

Commercial customers

6.58

10.59

Industrial customers

3.87

6.67

N AT U R A L G A S S E R V I C E

1

- 2 0 2 0 A N N U A L AV E R A G E N AT U R A L G A S P R I C E

(DOLLARS PER THOUSAND CUBIC FEET)

Oklahoma

U.S. Average

Commercial customers

6.93

7.49

Industrial customers

2.29

3.32

WAT E R A N D S E W E R C O M M E R C I A L S E R V I C E

2

INSIDE CITY

OUTSIDE CITY

Water

$3.68

$4.75

Sewer

$9.36

$13.38

WAT E R A N D S E W E R I N D U S T R I A L S E R V I C E

2

INSIDE CITY

OUTSIDE CITY

Water

$2.68

$3.37

Sewer

$9.36

$13.38

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COURTESY OKLAHOMA NATURAL GAS

(CENTS PER KILOWATTHOUR)

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. SOURCES: U.S. ENERGY INFORMATION ADMINISTRATION AND CITY OF TULSA WATER AND SEWER DEPARTMENT, 2021.

REPORT PREPARED BY RESEARCH WIZARD, TULSA CITYCOUNTY LIBRARY.

Public Service Company of Oklahoma PSO servicers conduct a pre-COVID-19 electrical safety discussion and demonstration for a group of kids at Jenks East Elementary School. PSO employees hold electrical safety talks for kids and adults throughout the year.

Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO) provides electricity service to more than 562,000 customer accounts in 232 cities and towns across Oklahoma. The company, a unit of American Electric Power (Nasdaq: AEP), is headquartered in downtown Tulsa.

PSO’s team of 1,600 Oklahomans is committed to delivering safe, reliable and affordable power to customers. And the company is equally committed to building strong, sustainable communities throughout the state.

Each year PSO and the AEP Foundation provide critical funding measures to developing community enrichment programs and assisting local and regional nonprofits meet the needs of every Tulsan. The year 2021 was no different.

This past year, the AEP Foundation gifted $50,000 to Youth Services of Tulsa (YST) to support the organization’s Transitions Program: Putting Youth on the Path to Self-Sufficiency.

“Valuing diversity and promoting equity are part

of our culture and central to our success,” said Peggy Simmons, PSO President and COO. Another significant gift from the AEP Foundation came with the announcement of continued gifts to STEM related learning through the Oklahoma Future Farmers of America Foundation as well as to Robotics programs in our schools that challenges the creativity and ingenuity of bright minds everywhere.

An exciting development on the clean energy front was the addition of two new wind farms, collectively called the North Central Energy Facilities (NCEF), now in commercial operation. Located southwest of Enid, the 287-megawatt (MW) Maverick facility is part of the 1,485-MW North Central Energy Facilities (NCEF) project. In addition to Maverick, the NCEF project includes the 199-MW Sundance wind farm, which began commercial operation on April 14, 2021, and the 999-MW Traverse wind farm, which is under construction with planned commercial operation in early 2022.

In total, the facilities will generate enough energy

to power 440,000 homes. “PSO customers expect clean, renewable energy to be a growing part of our energy portfolio, and we are listening,” said Peggy Simmons, PSO president and chief operating officer. “Wind generation has zero fuel costs.

That savings and federal incentives offset the cost of the facilities. That means an anticipated net long-term savings of more than $1 billion for our customers over the expected 30-year life of the facilities.”

For the fourth consecutive year, PSO received recognition, Platinum level in 2021, from Sustainable Tulsa’s Scor3card, an online sustainability tracking and assessment tool for organizations focused on three areas of sustainability: people, profit and planet.

PSO is proud of its role in improving the quality of life of Tulsa and the metro area, and looks forward to continuing to work with its partners to add to the vision, enthusiasm and excitement of Tulsa’s future.

Visit psoklahoma.com for more information.

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since 2005, including a $500,000 grant to the Greenwood Rising history center in August.

PSO ranked No. 1 among 87 midsized utilities in the South for 2021, according to J.D. Power.

PSO was the top ranked utility in five of six categories, including power quality and reliability; corporate citizenship; price; billing and payment; and communications. The company also was recognized as a champion of U.S. military veterans by the Oklahoma Veterans Alliance, and, for the ninth consecutive year, as one of the area’s top inclusive workplaces by Tulsa Metro Chamber’s Mosaic program.

— Wayne Greene, PSO

A 1926 photo of Spavinaw Lake and Dam, one of three sources of Tulsa’s drinking water

Serving Tulsa since 1906, Oklahoma Natural Gas provides reliable natural gas distribution services to nearly 900,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in Oklahoma. It has 24,671 miles of distribution mains and services lines statewide. Committed to delivering natural gas for a better tomorrow, Oklahoma Natural Gas provides an energy source to customers that improves the quality of life in 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 2.2 million customers in Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas.

— Leah Harper, Oklahoma Natural Gas

How a community delivers and takes away water can be one of the truest tests of environmental management. The treatment, the testing and the water/wastewater connections to the home is a real measure of civilization. Tulsa planned ahead building a dam and pipeline system to Tulsa from Spavinaw Creek 54 miles away back in the early 1920s. Today, Tulsa’s drinking water comes from three lakes: Lakes Spavinaw and Eucha on Spavinaw Creek, Lake Oologah on the Verdigris River, and Lake Hudson on the Neosho River.

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 108.5 million gallons per day.

— Lara Weber, City of Tulsa

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It is because of these investments that Tulsa has plenty of available water for its citizens.

Even with a decade long drought in the middle and southern parts of the country Tulsa has not been forced to restrict water usage since 1981. The two treatment plants that get water from the above-mentioned lakes can pump up to 220 million gallons a day. Both treatment plants performed well in 2021 with no issues or violations. City chemists and plant operators analyzed over 33,000 samples in 2020 to ensure quality. Tulsa treatment plants supply drinking water daily to nearly 145,000 metered accounts, over 16,000 hydrants through multiple pump stations and treated water storage reservoirs to over 600,000 people in the metro area. — Michael Patton

BERYL FORD COLLECTION/ROTARY CLUB OF TULSA, TULSA CITY-COUNTY LIBRARY, AND TULSA HISTORICAL SOCIETY AND MUSEUM

Natural Gas

Oklahoma Natural Gas Oklahoma Natural Gas, one of the largest fullyregulated natural gas distribution companies in the country, has provided services to homes and businesses across the state for more than 100 years. Since the beginning, safety and service have been central to our business. Headquartered right here in Tulsa, Oklahoma Natural Gas delivers safe, affordable and reliable natural gas service to nearly 900,000 customers while innovating new renewable solutions for a cleaner energy future. We’re more than a utility, though.

We are a part of the Tulsa community, employing more than 1,100 individuals across the state.

Over the past year, we invested more than $3.2 million through ONE Gas Foundation grants and community giving to support and enhance our communities for our employees and customers.

Oklahoma Natural Gas is working toward a sustainable energy future, reducing our environmental impact and ensuring the resiliency and reliability of our delivery systems. We partner with community leaders to determine a safe and

balanced approach to providing cleaner energy that remains affordable and reliable. Oklahoma Natural Gas also offers programs such as gas appliance rebates and free energy assessments

to help customers and businesses identify efficiency upgrades as we all work together toward a sustainable clean energy future.

Learn more at oklahomanaturalgas.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.

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 a quick return to their home or business. It is a third-generation owned company that adheres to these core values: perserverance, 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 to prepare for unexpected disasters. ODR helps you keep your business open.

“The difference is in our people. ODR is a great company for our employees. We invest in our team which which makes members more valuable to us, their families, and our customers,” notes Tammy Stokes. “We still adhere to old-fashion family values in managing our business.”

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

Jay and Tammy Stokes tulsacouncil.org

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Environmental Management

By Michael Patton

How then can you define environmental management for an urban area? Are not the roles for civilization and nature in conflict? Tulsa reveals the solution each day with the work of hundreds of people in government supplemented by thousands of volunteers and nonprofits working to help control our conditions that benefit humans, animals and plants alike.

To begin, Tulsa has been blessed with quality and abundant water, soil that can adapt to grow many

crops, and a consistent wind during most of the summer to cleanse our air. Our favorable climate shows an annual average high temperature of 72 degrees with 51 degrees as an average low temperature and an average rainfall of 41 inches, according to the National Weather Service. It adds to that a strong commitment from past leadership to invest in solutions before they become big problems and to listen to citizenry and follow their direction.

2021 saw Tulsa invest and improve not only our green space, but found new ways to share nature with people and the built environment.

Tulsans want to co-exist with nature and will fight to protect and conserve it. Sometimes these fights are over utility rates to pay for upgrades;

sometimes they are about developing park land, and sometimes they are simply finding ways to include partners to supplement the public dollars.

The key is always to have proper leadership, planning and community support.

Metropolitan areas across the nation face challenges in delivering clean and abundant water to customers. Cities struggle to provide enough and often require citizen involvement to lower demand. Often there are upstream challenges or decaying infrastructure that might impact water quality. Not Tulsa in 2021. Read more about Tulsa’s water quality on p. 34.

Tulsa does have an abundance of parks. The City of Tulsa operates 135 parks and trails, Tulsa County operates 11 parks, Tulsa River Parks

Turkey Mountain’s trails and amenities will be improved and expanded as part of the urban wilderness’ master plan implementation.

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SHANE BEVEL/COURTESY RIVER PARKS

When most people think of the word “environmental” they think of the natural world and the conditions in which a person, an animal or a plant lives. Similarly, they usually think the word “management” is the human process of dealing with or controlling things.

American Waste Control Mr. Murph Is Back In 2022 Mr. Murph is coming back bigger and better than ever in 2022! A devastating fire caused by a lithium-ion battery in April 2021 destroyed Oklahoma’s most advanced materials recovery facility (MRF) in Green Country. But Mr. Murph 2.0 is set to come back with an entirely new system.

Mr. Murph 2.0 will process more recyclables by 33 percent (53,000 lbs. per hour), increase targeted performance and use the latest in optical and robotic sorting.

Mr. Murph is the only mixed recyclables processing facility within a 100-mile radius of Tulsa. With 95 percent of recyclables processed being sold to Oklahoma manufacturers, they have felt the void of the millions of pounds of recyclables used to produce their products while rebuilding of Mr. Murph takes place.

National Recovery Technology (NRT) optical and Max-AI artificial intelligence (AI) technologies.

American Waste Control has once again teamed up with Bulk Handling Systems (BHS), based in Eugene, Ore., to make Tulsa’s latest MRF. The enhanced design includes BHS Tri-Disc screens, a metering bin, magnet, aluminum separator,

Max-AI robotic sorters identify and remove nonrecyclable items from key sort positions on the system. Nine robots all work alongside AWC staff to ensure recyclables meet the specifications of end users.

has 26 miles of trails, and the privately funded Gathering Place was named USA Today’s Best City Park in 2021.

air quality in the country and every citizen is the difference.

Thirty acres of land in a highly developed retail area in south Tulsa was donated from the nonprofit Land Legacy and the Chapman Family Foundation for a new park. Look for plans and meetings to receive public input about what kind of park they want to start soon.

Air quality was also in the news in Tulsa in 2021.

The ozone levels have become more political in America when the Environmental Protection Agency lowered acceptable levels to 70 parts per billion. This change affects marginal cities like Tulsa whose levels are so close to the standard.

For many cities in our region it doesn’t matter.

Dallas, Houston, Denver and St. Louis are already on the dirty air list, but Tulsa has managed to stay off the list for the past 35 years. In 2021, Tulsa monitors’ three-year averages were all between 62 parts and 64 parts per billion.

Tulsans always step up. People get involved and the weather cooperated again in 2021. While there were three days in mid-June with exceedances, each monitor ended the season with a better and lower ozone level. Tulsa has the best voluntary

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.

Tours at Mr. Murph will return in the spring of 2022. To schedule a tour or learn more about Mr. Murph, visit FeedMrMurph.com.

1420 W. 35th St. | 918-446-0023 americanwastecontrol.com

Tulsans resumed curbside recycling in early 2022 after Tulsa Recycle and Transfer installed a new system — Mr. Murph 2.0 — after contamination from a lithium-ion battery caused a fire there in April 2021. The City is focused on its “Recycle This, Not That” educational campaign and more information is available at tulsarecycles.com.

An exciting development in Tulsa in the past year was the release of the master plan for Turkey Mountain, approximately 650 acres of urban wilderness that serves mountain bikers, hikers and recreationalists. The sheer numbers of users needed to be addressed. The Turkey Mountain Master Plan involved hundreds of hours of meetings and received feedback from hundreds of users and interested parties. The goals were to restore nature; maximize access; enhance trails, and to make everything integrated with continuing programs. The plan was well received.

Phase one calls for increasing access points to trails, additional parking areas, trails and ponds restoration, a new bridge, and even closely watched prescribed burns.

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OSU-Tulsa

Education

By Christopher Payne, Union Public Schools

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.”

Perseverance. That’s the best descriptor of Oklahoma teachers and students in this COVID-obsessed year. Despite a pandemic that continued to rage, accompanied by fierce battles over masks, immunizations and the right of school boards to self-govern, educators adapted. They pivoted between in-person and distance learning in response to quarantines, offering virtual school as an option for parents concerned about their children’s safety. School districts invested much of their federal COVID relief funds in remedial summer school, tutoring and other supports. Tulsa Public Schools — northeastern Oklahoma’s largest district — invested $12 million in relief funds to reengage students in a free summer program that included academic support for math and reading and at least two hours of enrichment activities like “Medieval Fight Club” or “Breakfast with the Birds.”

Oklahoma’s education budget hit an all-time high of $8.3 billion in 2022, with an additional $171.8 million in funding to help lower class sizes and pay for textbooks. Also signed into law was a measure that allocates about $38.5 million a year in medical marijuana revenue to help property-poor traditional school districts and brick-and-mortar charter schools with building, maintenance and infrastructure costs.

Concerning trends in Oklahoma include the growing number of emergency-certified teachers — 3,428 so far in 2021 as reported in an Oct. 29, 2021, Tulsa World article. This exceeds the previous record of 3,321 set in 2019-20. Teacher retirements were up 38% year-over-year, causing further strain to a system hit hard by the delta variant. On the plus side, teacher salaries in Oklahoma have jumped 13% since 2017-18, boosting the state from 49th nationally to 34th, according to the National Education Association.

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Tulsa Public Schools’ Webster High School, home to a broadcasting program, recently added a film component, teaching the technical aspects of lighting, production design and rigging, in response to Oklahoma’s booming film industry.

“Killers of the Flower Moon,” FX Network’s “Reservation Dogs” and other high-profile projects have heightened the need for experienced film crews.

Students have the opportunity to participate in research, internships and mentorship programs that directly impacts Tulsa-area businesses, communities and families.

COURTESY TULSA PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Visit tulsa.okstate.edu to learn more.

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Holland Hall

Holland Hall, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2022, provides a challenging liberal arts, college preparatory curriculum that promotes critical thinking and lifelong learning.

A 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 two years, Holland Hall has earned three OSSAA team state championships, including the 2020 and 2021 3A football championship • 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 tuition is up to $3,000 less than comparable programs

Class of 2021 Last year’s seniors attended 41 universities in 22 states.

Students were admitted to a wide variety of universities including Carleton College, Washington University in St. Louis, Kansas City Art Institute, United States Military Academy – West Point, Tufts University, Rice University, Royal Holloway of London, Colorado School of Mines, Boston College, Lehigh University, Northeastern University, Oberlin College, Savannah College of Art and Design, The College of Wooster, University of Washington, Wake Forest University and The New School.

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

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

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Metro Christian Academy CONTINUED FROM P. 38

Currently, Oklahoma ranks ninth in the nation with more than 3,108 teachers who are National Board Certified. Tulsa County has 128,801 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 2% in the Tulsa area from the previous year, with 85% of high school students graduating on time after four years.

Eighty-eight students in northeastern Oklahoma were recently named 2021 National Merit Semifinalists.

“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.

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Tulsa Public Schools, serving 33,000 students in grades K-12 across 78 school sites, is the largest among the public-school options.

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 49 schools offering nationally recognized 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). Seniors demonstrating proficiency in two or more languages can apply for the district’s Seal of Biliteracy. TPS has seven lottery magnet schools that require student application and acceptance, as well as five magnet schools that are criteria-based, meaning applicants must meet academic requirements. Among the seven charter school options is the Tulsa School of Arts and Sciences, a national Blue-Ribbon School (2015) serving grades 7-12. TPS also offers eight specialized alternative school options including a new offering, North Star Academy, which focuses on project-based learning with an emphasis on personalization and life coaching by a network of adults.

Tulsa Public Schools kicks off 2022 with a new five-year strategic plan. Over the spring and summer of 2021, the TPS Board of Education held more than 35 community listening sessions

to identify expectations and dreams for 20222027, as well as current strengths and highest priorities for improvement. A new mission was adopted: “Our students lead through literacy, are empowered through experience and contribute to their community.” A 30-member community committee is finalizing the commitments TPS will make as part of the new plan and a timeline for implementation.

Union Public Schools, the eighth largest district in Oklahoma, serves more than 15,000 students in southeast Tulsa and a portion of Broken Arrow. In August, Ellen Ochoa Elementary was awarded $300,000 in the first year of a projected five-year, $1.38 million “21st Century Community Learning Center” grant.

It will address learning gaps by targeting 250 students and their families with 20 afterschool programs, including academic, English language, social-emotional and other support.

Union, Broken Arrow, Sand Springs and Tulsa Public Schools — in partnership with Tulsa Community College — are offering high school students 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 firstgeneration 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 10th grade, where students take a prescribed course schedule taught by TCC faculty. Union’s first cohort of 28 students graduated in May with their associate degree.

Tulsa offers a broad array of private school offerings. Seven Catholic schools offer a prekindergarten through eighth grade education — focusing on the development of reading, writing and the sciences for students of all faiths and backgrounds — including 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 CONTINUED ON P. 42

Monte Cassino Since 1926, Monte Cassino, an independent Benedictine Catholic school, has been committed to providing an exceptional education while nurturing the whole student. 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 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, and also provides programs in music, art, foreign language, STEM and physical education. 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 such as robotics, coding, chess, Makerspaces, musical theater, Academic Bowl, dissection lab, MCTV Broadcasting, book clubs, STEAM and more. Because experiential learning is important, the school offers unique and learning-based field trips, service days and project work. The athletics department offers 11 sports, ongoing development clinics, camps

and has many state championships in basketball, volleyball and Academic Bowl.

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

Monte Cassino provides this rigorous, challenging and focused curriculum to help develop wellrounded and morally grounded 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 for more information.

MICHELLE POLLARD

Union High School marching band, known as the Renegade Regiment, practices in summer 2021 for the upcoming year, which included a trip to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City.

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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 pre-K-eighth grades. 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

TULSA COUNT Y PUBLIC SCHOOLS SC HOOL DI S T R IC T S

EN ROL L MEN T

other challenges) and Town and Country, a school designed to help students with learning disabilities, ADHD and autism spectrum disorder.

Tulsa boasts many secondary education options including universities and a variety of career and technology schools. The University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University are experiencing historic enrollment numbers, particularly among first-generation students (approximately 20% of the freshman classes) and the historically marginalized (30% at OSU). OSU recently launched a new aerospace research institute.

Top-ranked University of Tulsa launched a School of Cyber Studies, responding to the growing threat of cyberattacks nationally. Oral Roberts University received high marks in student engagement, placing No. 4 in the Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education college rankings. Northeastern State University and Langston University-Tulsa also have a significant presence.

M A J O R P R I VAT E S C H O O L S I N T U L S A C O U N T Y 2 0 2 1-2 0 2 2

Tulsa Community College remains a great 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 Tulsa metro area, offers career training for Tulsa County high school students, as well as for parochial, home-schooled and adult students.

Through the Accelerating Independence Scholarship, students ages 18-23 living within the district can attend tuition-free.

Overall, Tulsa is rich in educational diversity and opportunity for all, regardless of budget.

H I G H E R E D U C AT I O N I N S T I T U T I O N S I N T U L S A 2 0 2 1-2 0 2 2

Tulsa

33,211

SC HOOL

G R A DE L E V EL

EN ROL L MEN T

Broken Arrow

19,530

Victory Christian School

Kindergarten-12

1,136

Langston University 2

Union

15,011

Metro Christian Academy

Preschool (age 3)-12

1,084

Northeastern State University

Jenks

12,545

Oral Roberts University

Holland Hall School

Preschool (age 3)-12

1,026

Lincoln Christian School

Pre-kindergarten-12

948

Owasso

9,675

Bixby

7,295

Sand Springs

4,970

Collinsville

2,965

Monte Cassino School

Glenpool

2,825

Riverfield Country Day School

Skiatook

2,280

Summit Christian Academy

Berryhill

1,122

Sperry

1,080

Liberty

459

SCHOOLS WITH GRADES K-12.

DATA BASED ON OCTOBER 2021 ENROLLMENT. SOURCE: DIRECT CONTACT WITH SCHOOL DISTRICTS. COMPILED BY RESEARCH WIZARD, TULSA CITYCOUNTY LIBRARY.

Bishop Kelley High School

9-12

845

Pre-kindergarten-8

639

Infant-12

608

Kindergarten (age 5)-12

537

6-12

502

Marquette Catholic School

Kindergarten-8

372

All Saints Catholic School

Pre-kindergarten-8

367

St. Pius X Catholic School

Pre-kindergarten-8

346

Kindergarten (age 4)-12

260

Pre-kindergarten-8

247

Cascia Hall Preparatory School

Mingo Valley Christian School School of Saint Mary

PRIVATE SCHOOLS WITH GRADE LEVELS FROM INFANT TO SIXTH GRADE OR HIGHER. DATA BASED ON FALL 2021 ENROLLMENT. SOURCE: DIRECT CONTACT WITH SCHOOLS. COMPILED BY RESEARCH WIZARD, TULSA CITY-COUNTY LIBRARY.

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INSTITUTION

BUDGE T ($) 2021-2022

ENROLLMENT FALL 2021

FACULT Y 1 FALL 2021

NA3

1,960

136

119,410,183

7,006

409

NA3

4,753

359

OSU Center for Health Sciences 265,431,440

1,492

216

OSU-Tulsa

20,927,636

2,568

161

OU-Tulsa (Includes School of Community Medicine)

156,000,000

1,150

300

Rogers State University

35,702,586

3,198

221

NA3

7,084

121

Tulsa Community College

138,983,353

14,213

1,060

University of Tulsa

165,442,002

3,960

445

Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology

2

1 INCLUDES FULL AND PART-TIME 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 2020 (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, 2021.

Tulsa Community College

High school senior Aaron Chambers stands outside Tulsa Community College’s Southeast Campus, where he is enrolled in classes through its Earn a Degree, Graduate Early (EDGE) program.

As the third largest college in the state, Tulsa Community College educates more than 21,500 students annually. In May 2021, TCC conferred 2,823 degrees and certificates upon 2,569 students. TCC is the smart choice for higher education as 65% of our students graduate debt free.

The College is a key resource to the workforce preparation needs of Tulsa’s business community with 29% of students choosing to enroll in one of the numerous workforce development programs. In addition, TCC serves the most concurrent 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.

HIGHER EDUCATION DEGREE PROGR AMS

BY FIELDS OF STUDY IN TULSA

INSTITUTION

EDUCATION & SOCIAL

ARTS BUSINESS SCIENCE SCIENCES GR ADUATE

Langston University – Tulsa

2

1

5

Northeastern State University – Broken Arrow

10

7

17

16

22

11

27

10

19

2

6

4

6

32

4

2

30

9

11

6

10

2

1

5

Oral Roberts University OSU Center for Health Sciences OSU-Tulsa

9

OU-Tulsa

GREG BOLLINGER

Rogers State University Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology Tulsa Community College 1

6

11

40

20

University of Tulsa

14

6

20

27

1 INSTITUTION GRANTS ASSOCIATE DEGREES ONLY. SOURCE: RESEARCH WIZARD, TULSA CITY-COUNTY LIBRARY, 2021

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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 our students have contributed more than 800,000 hours in community service to organizations in the Tulsa area.

Visit TulsaCC.edu for more information. tulsacouncil.org

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Health Care

By Mark McElreah, Executive Director, Tulsa County Medical Society

It is nearly impossible to cover the landscape of health care in Tulsa without emphasizing the impact COVID-19 has had since early 2020.

In 2021, COVID-19 continued to affect many aspects of our lives, from economic and social, to health and general well-being. Tulsa was not invulnerable to COVID-19 with over 110,000 cases in Tulsa County and more than 1,700 deaths (as of Nov. 30, 2021). The highest peak of weekly new cases occurred in January 2021 with 4,402. The health care and overall vitality of our community are fundamentally connected.

The Tulsa community supports and maintains quality health and social services for its residents by attracting and maintaining well-trained and dedicated health care workers.

Support for health care workers The appreciation and gratitude for health care workers in Tulsa has been evident throughout the pandemic. “Light up the Sky” events, handmade posters, and videos of appreciation flooded the streets of Tulsa and social media in support of front-line workers.

The pandemic has brought an increased awareness of burnout among the health care community.

According to Medscape’s 2021 Physician Burnout Report, 42% of physicians reported feeling burned out last year. Burnout among clinicians has led to questions on how it affects access to care, patient safety and care quality. Burned-out doctors are more likely to leave practice, which reduces patients’ access to and continuity of care. Burnout also can threaten patient safety and quality of care when depersonalization leads to poor interactions with patients and when burnedout physicians suffer from impaired attention, memory and executive function.

To combat burnout, the Tulsa County Medical Society implemented the Physician Wellness Program. This program provides a safe harbor for physicians to address normal life difficulties in a confidential and professional environment. TCMS gathered a diverse group of counselors to help its physicians. These counselors provide up to eight visits per calendar year. These therapy sessions are free to physicians. ​

Medicaid expansion On June 30, 2020, the Oklahoma Medicaid Expansion Initiative, State Question 802, passed by a majority vote to expand Medicaid eligibility to adults ages 19-64 whose income is 138% of the federal poverty level or lower. This equates

to an estimated annual income of $16,970 for an individual or $34,846 for a family of four. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced approximately 190,000 individuals are now eligible for health coverage, thanks to Medicaid expansion made possible by the Affordable Care Act. On June 1, 2021, the state began accepting applications, and to date, over 120,000 people have applied for and were determined eligible to receive coverage.

On July 1, these individuals received full Medicaid benefits, including access to primary and preventive care, emergency, substance abuse and prescription drug benefits.

Telehealth and telemedicine Telemedicine has been around for years, but was more frequently used during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to reports, SoonerCare members completed 11,941 telehealth visits in 2019. That number rose to 333,415 visits in 2020, an increase of 2,726% in just one year.

Although Oklahoma was an early adopter of telemedicine, it has not been a significant source of patient care. One of the main reasons for this is the lack of reimbursement to physicians. On Nov. 1, 2021, Gov. Kevin Stitt signed into law a bill designed to ensure payment parity for physicians who care for patients through telemedicine.

Insurance companies typically paid physicians a lower amount for telemedicine visits compared to in-person office visits for the same services.

The new law ensures doctors receive the same amount for telemedicine. This legislation will help continue to expand the use of telemedicine, improving access for people, and ultimately, improving the health of Tulsa residents.

With an expected completion date of late 2024, the new Veterans Hospital in Tulsa at the Oklahoma State University Medical Center is a collaborative effort to make services more accessible for those who served our country.

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On Oct. 15, 2021, a groundbreaking ceremony was held for the new Veterans Hospital in Tulsa (VHiT) at the expanded Oklahoma State University Medical Center grounds. The $130 million project is a collaborative effort involving the federal, state, county, city, donors and OSU leaders. VHiT makes services more accessible for men and women who have served our country. The existing Kerr-Edmondson building is being remodeled into a 58-surgical bed hospital with the capacity

COURTESY GH2 ARCHITECTURE

Changes in Tulsa’s health care landscape

to treat more than 100,000 veterans annually.

The project also includes a mental health hospital, a new parking garage, and sites where biotech companies can conduct research. The collaborative project is creating 50 new residency spots at VHiT and 50 at the Mental Health Services Hospital for OSU Medical students.

The hospital is expected to be completed in late 2024. It was announced on March 31, 2021 the Cancer Treatment Centers of America of Tulsa would close on June 1, 2021. Shortly after the CTCA closure, it was announced Muscogee Nation would purchase the building. The new facility, named the Council Oak Comprehensive Healthcare, opened to patients in August 2021.

Outpatient services include urgent care and an HIV and Hepatitis clinic with plans to add additional specialty services. Inpatient services are expected to begin in early 2022. The new campus will generate an estimated 100 new jobs within the first year.

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. The health care system is recognized for excellence in cardiovascular, orthopedic, palliative and stroke care. 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. Community Health Connection serves individuals who are uninsured by offering a sliding fee scale to those who qualify as well as those with Medicaid (SoonerCare) and Medicare, Insure Oklahoma or private insurance.

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, with more than 70 regional clinics across northeastern Oklahoma.

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 CONTINUED ON P. 48

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 $1 million in community support in 2020.

Visit hillcrest.com for more information.

HE A LT H SER V IC E S M A R K E T A N A LYSI S 2022 R EP OR T DESCRIPTION

Physicians & Health Practitioners

C O M PA N I E S

EMPLOY EES

5,120

37,651

2,175.4

Nursing & Intermediate Care 2

239

6,207

1,000.9

Hospitals & Clinics

180

18,652

4,351.3

Medical & Dental Laboratories Other Health Care Services

165

1,379

89.6

1,548

11,531

405.7

ESTIMATED SALES IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS. FACILITIES & SERVICES. GEOGRAPHICAL AREA: TULSA METROPOLITAN STATISTICAL AREA. 1 2

SA LES1

SOURCES: DUN & BRADSTREET, 2021; U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS COMPILED BY RESEARCH WIZARD, TULSA CITY-COUNTY LIBRARY

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Saint Francis Health System As Tulsa’s only locally owned and governed healthcare provider, Saint Francis Health System 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 area families 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 Rankings as #1 in the state

and most recently recognized for high-quality care in ten clinical areas of focus.

The Children’s Hospital at Saint Francis continues to champion the health and well-being of children in the region. The 162-bed, 265,765-squarefoot facility is recognized throughout the area for its advanced medical technology and team of skilled pediatric specialists. The Children’s Hospital’s 58-bed Henry Zarrow Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) provides the region’s most advanced treatments and services for premature infants and critically ill newborns. The Children’s Hospital at Saint Francis also is home to Oklahoma’s only St. Jude Affiliate Clinic. This program makes available the clinical trials and protocols offered at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in a care setting closer to home.

For adult oncology/hematology care, the Saint Francis Cancer Center is undergoing an extensive expansion to help provide more specialized care for

its patients and increased access. The first phase of expansion completed in 2020 includes relocation of radiation oncology services to bring all outpatient cancer services under one roof. Infusion services increased capacity and a second infusion unit will open this year. The entire project, which will double the size of the facility, is expected to be completed in 2023.

Located near Highway 169 and 91st Street, Saint Francis Hospital South sustains its initial goal of providing families with quality healthcare in an easily accessible location. The 104-bed hospital provides convenient access for residents of Broken Arrow, Bixby, Jenks, South Tulsa and Coweta with a number of specialized services and programs, including its newly expanded emergency center, general surgery, radiology and imaging, cardiology, labor and delivery, orthopedics, and primary care.

In 2021, new expansion plans were announced that will essentially double the size of the hospital, adding 120-beds, new physical medicine and

Saint Francis Hospital

Saint Francis Glenpool

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The Children’s Hospital at Saint Francis

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Laureate Psychiatric Clinic and Hospital

rehabilitation services, renovated surgical suites and a new hospital lobby and chapel.

With a dedicated team of physician specialists, surgeons, nurses and staff, the Heart Hospital at Saint Francis provides comprehensive cardiovascular services with several regional locations.

Key services are based at Saint Francis Hospital Yale campus 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, cardiovascular surgery, electrophysiology and cardiac rehabilitation. Saint Francis’ cardiac services extend out into the region at Saint Francis Hospital South, Saint Francis Hospital Muskogee, Saint Francis Hospital Vinita and offices at Warren Clinic Glenpool, Owasso, Sand Springs and South Tulsa.

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 many Warren Clinic Urgent Care locations in the Tulsa area or opt for Warren Clinic Virtual Urgent Care available 24/7 from anywhere in Oklahoma.

Laureate Psychiatric Clinic and Hospital is a private psychiatric healthcare facility that is licensed for 75 inpatient beds. Clinical programs 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 largest behavioral health clinics in the region.

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 healthcare services to residents of a seven-county area in eastern Oklahoma, including a nationally-accredited cancer program, a Level III trauma center, a robotic surgery program and a certified primary stroke center. The expansion also includes Warren Clinic primary care and physician specialist office locations in Muskogee and Fort Gibson.

Saint Francis Glenpool opened in August of 2018. This new, state-of-the-art facility features an emergency center as well as outpatient services that include diagnostic laboratory and imaging services, CT, bone-density scanning, as well as outpatient physical rehabilitation, and speech and occupational therapy. That location includes a new Warren Clinic Glenpool physician office with internal medicine, cardiology and OB/ GYN services.

For more information on any of the services provided at Saint Francis Health System, or to find a physician to meet your health care needs, visit saintfrancis.com or call 918.488.6688.

Warren Clinic

Saint Francis Hospital Muskogee

Saint Francis Hospital South

Saint Francis Hospital Vinita

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all people — along with dignity and respect — without regard to finances, culture or lifestyle.

Tulsa Hospital Facilities

physician assistant program on the OU-Tulsa Schusterman Campus.

OSU Medical Center 1 Helmerich Women’s Center 2

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. Emphasis is placed on students from Oklahoma and those who want to practice primary care in rural Oklahoma.

OSU MEDICAL CENTER OSU Medical Center is one of the nation’s largest osteopathic teaching hospital 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 48

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Oklahoma Heart Institute 3, 14

SAINT FRANCIS HEALTH SYSTEM Founded by William K. and Natalie Warren in 1960, Saint Francis Health System is a notfor-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. Saint Francis Health 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.

Hillcrest Medical Center 4 Ascension St. John 5 Saint Francis Health System/ The Children’s Hospital at Saint Francis/ The Heart Hospital at Saint Francis 6 Laureate Psychiatric Clinic and Hospital 7 Council Oak Comprehensive Healthcare 8 Hillcrest Hospital South 9 Saint Francis Hospital South 10 Oklahoma Surgical Hospital 11 Morton Comprehensive Health Service 12 Community Health Connection/ La Conexión Médica 13

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Phillips Theological Seminary Phillips Theological Seminary invites you to join conversations that expose you to new ideas, deepen your commitments and give insights to how to faithfully lead in a changing world.

Our nationwide network of students, faculty, churches, alumni/ae, trustees and friends is committed to embracing the full diversity of creation with a gathering of scholars that takes very seriously the expression of God’s justice and shalom in the world. We embrace the full inclusion of all persons into a life of theological formation.

A pillar of carefully stacked stones in the Phillips Seminary chapel signals the beginning of a journey. The cairn marks a turning point along life’s path and represents an encounter with the divine.

Phillips strives to educate the whole church through programs dedicated to learning the way of Jesus in order to cultivate vital congregations, communities, conversations and the public good.

We lead in our communities as biblically and theologically responsible interpreters, unique in the region as an unapologetically progressive Christian seminary.

Our fully online Center for Ministry and Lay Training (CMLT) provides affordable, high-quality education for those seeking to learn from our top-notch faculty and build a network of others engaged in ministry. The CMLT is designed for

those who want to do ministry without seeking a graduate theological degree.

fall term and more than 800 recent registrations in the CMLT.

Founded in 1906, Phillips provides online and inperson courses for learners from 29 states and 22 denominations with 230 enrolled in the 2019

Learn more about Phillips at wherefaithleads.com or call 918-610-8303.

Luxa Enterprises A reality is business owners can be pulled in many directions during any business day. It is the reason more and more small business leaders outsource their company’s bookkeeping function to keep their business running smoothly.

“I am excited for what the future brings under Michael’s leadership,” said Petersen, owner of Luxa Enterprises. “He is a compassionate leader and truly lives Luxa’s core values through teamwork, integrity, passion, and excellence.

I’m very proud of everything he brings to the company and the community”.

Luxa Enterprises 1/2 Page Profile JL

Founded in 2006, Luxa Enterprises provides small businesses—and non-profit agencies— the accounting, human resources and payroll services to help alleviate some of the headaches of running a business operation...and “stay on track”...in an increasingly complex part of managing a company.

Luxa recently announced that Mike Chromy is the company’s new president and CEO after serving in a variety of positions including accounting manager, controller, and VP of accounting. Frauke Petersen, who most recently served as CEO and owner of Luxa Enterprises, notes her excitement for the transition and Chromy’s contributions to Luxa. Petersen will remain with the organization as the owner and will continue to focus on community service and business development.

Chromy joined Luxa with over eight years of management and accounting experience in the legal field. He strives to learn and apply new concepts and processes that lead to improved business efficiency. “I am eager to tackle my next chapter with Luxa and appreciate the confidence of Frauke Petersen as I assume this new role,” he said.

After serving in the U.S. Armed Forces for eight years, Chromy moved to Tulsa from Fort Collins, Colorado, to complete his Bachelor’s in Business degree from Rogers State University where he is currently pursuing an MBA. He enjoys participating in his son’s Future Owasso Rams football team as assistant coach, cheering his son’s soccer time, and spending family time in the great outdoors hiking, fishing and camping.

Company President Michael Chromy

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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.

All faith communities serve the spiritual needs of their members. Many, and perhaps most, engage in one or more community ministries such as: public school partnerships, parochial schools, food pantries, homeless ministries and summer camps.

Temple Israel All Souls Unitarian Church

VERNON: TIM LANDES; TEMPLE, ORU, ALL SOULS: MICHELLE POLLARD

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. Evidence of this prominence is visible everywhere from Christian-named businesses to newscaster references and generally conservative stances on political and cultural issues.

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In addition, the expected religious ecology includes: • Roman Catholic congregations, which are increasingly populated with Latinx members, and which minister to immigrants and refugees (this year, especially from Afghanistan) • A ntiochian and Greek Orthodox churches • Mainline/ecumenical Protestant congregations (e.g., United Methodist, Presbyterian, Episcopal, Disciples, ELCA Lutheran), some large and many small in membership

The other surprising elements of Tulsa’s faith communities are the presence of progressive religion and warm interreligious relationships.

Several Protestant congregations, an independent Anglican-Catholic congregation, the Jewish congregations, and Unitarian congregations teach and practice social justice, the value of science, honest social histories, multicultural inclusion, hospitality for immigrants, and the full inclusion of LGBTQ persons in religion and society.

Tulsa enjoys a remarkably strong interfaith community. Interfaith relationships are manifest in ongoing dialogue groups, in times of celebration, and in collective action — including refugee resettlement. Practicing the Golden Rule in public unites persons from many religious traditions.

Anyone longing for a religious community and a center for the development of spirit and service to the public good will find welcoming places in Tulsa.

Vernon AME Church

• Dozens of African-American congregations — Baptists, charismatics and Pentecostals.

Generally, these congregations embrace evangelical theologies but differ markedly from conservative white churches by leading social justice around race. Their role in addressing racism, reparations, mass incarceration, health care access, economic development and policing is vital.

• A n increasing number of Spanish-speaking congregations and ministries • N ative American religious communities include both Christian congregations and those centered on traditional ceremonies.

Then there are some surprises. Buddhist and Hindu communities call Tulsa home. One of the world’s largest Unitarian-Universalist 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, see themselves enacting Judaism’s commitments to social justice and to tikkun olam — healing the world.

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

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Philanthropy

By Kristi Eaton

In November, the Tulsa Area United Way announced it surpassed its 2021 campaign goal, raising $25,493,060 for the community and its partner agencies.

Campaign Chairs Tim Lyons and Karen Keith celebrated with TAUW leadership at the Herman and Kate Kaiser YMCA.

In 2018, readers of the Chronicle of Philanthropy voted Tulsa as the most generous city in the U.S. One reader pointed to “philanthropybacked health efforts that have increased life expectancy in low-income neighborhoods; programs for housing the mentally ill that have won national acclaim; and arts groups that have strong backing,” according to the website.

But even before that reader designation, Tulsa had been trademarked in 2012 as the Most Generous City in America, 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.

So I make lots of presentations around the city, and I’d always say, ‘America’s Most Generous City.’ And then I said, ‘Well, you know what, 52

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I got to back it up,’” he said. 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. And it’s tough keeping up with Silicon Valley, because Mark Zuckerberg is a donor. And they’re in the center of the tech world. So obviously, they’ve been very successful in helping people with their philanthropy. But it wasn’t just the size of the Community Foundation. It was the spirit of philanthropy that we have in Tulsa.”

One of the most well-known philanthropic organizations based in Tulsa is the 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, Tulsa’s riverfront park, as well as one of the first — if not the first — communities to create a remote worker program. Tulsa Remote has

attracted a bevy of remote workers to move to Tulsa to live and work.

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

The Tulsa Area United Way, he noted, is a big supporter of the community, as well.

In November, the organization announced it surpassed its goal for its 2021 annual campaign, raising $25,493,060 for the community.

The campaign will fund Tulsa Area United Way’s 59 partner agencies in the areas of education, health and safety, and financial stability, as well as several community collaborative projects.

“The community coming together to reach this goal represents the true power and beauty of living united. We wanted this campaign to be light for hope, a reminder for the community that better days are ahead when we unite for

COURTESY TULSA AREA UNITED WAY; TULSA REMOTE: GREG BOLLINGER

Tulsa has been deemed “America’s Most Generous City,” and it didn’t occur by happenstance.

a common goal,” said Alison Anthony, TAUW president and CEO, in a news release. “This amount will address real needs and goes a long way toward easing some of the greatest challenges in our area.”

As for the title of Most Generous City, Anthony said this: “Most city’s nonprofit communities rely on a handful of major philanthropists who give very generously. Others in the community are grateful for those philanthropists but often stay on the sidelines themselves. Of course, Tulsa benefits from some amazing foundations, and those organizations truly do some groundbreaking work. But Tulsa is America’s most generous city because so many people step up individually to give and volunteer to support the area’s nonprofits. Within the Tulsa Area United Way alone in 2021, more than 8,000 volunteers and 25,000 donors have given their time and talent to support their friends and neighbors in need. Each of us doing what we can — no matter how big or small the gift or talent, caring and supporting one another — that’s the Tulsa difference. People in our area help one another, and we understand that to need help is not unique. We all need help sometimes.”

Like with many things, the pandemic has affected giving, Lakin said, mainly through the inability to hold in-person fundraising events for some time.

“When people get together, they tend to hear about a cause, and then are motivated by what they hear at the event and what others are doing to support the cause,” he said. “So I think events have been hurt through the pandemic.

But right now, we’re going through a time of somewhat significant economic prosperity, given how the stock markets are at their alltime highs. And so that gives some of the major donors the ability to make even larger gifts, because their assets are appreciating significantly.”

Stan Khrapak and his wife, Morgan Creekmore, moved from Denver to Tulsa through the Tulsa Remote program, launched by George Kaiser Family Foundation in 2019 to bring a diverse group of talented individuals to the city. The program has brought more than 1,200 members who work in a range of industries. In 2021 Tulsa Remote announced a $10,000 lump sum offer to qualified applicants if they move to Tulsa, purchase a home and commit to staying for at least one year. Those who don’t buy a home receive the $10,000 in quarterly increments within that first year. tulsacouncil.org

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City of Tulsa Authorities, Boards and Commissions

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.”

She added, “(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 15 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.

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.

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MAXIM ERMOLENKO; SANG: TIM LANDES

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.

New Tulsans Initiative

By Ethan Veenker

Some hold the notion that one’s city nourishes its inhabitants as much as they nourish it, though many of us know things are not often as simple as our aphorisms would have us believe.

Since Sept. 20, 2017, however, the New Tulsans Initiative, a brainchild of Tulsa mayor G.T. Bynum, has held fast to this symbiotic belief regarding a city and its citizens. The resulting program has ushered in changes toward an ideal future where Tulsa can better and truly nourish its Tulsans.

“The New Tulsans Initiative recognizes the core belief that our city’s greatest asset is our people,” says the City of Tulsa’s website in a statement from Bynum. The Initiative, in a nutshell, seeks to empower this asset — the people — by championing equity for all groups of citizens.

This ultimate goal has meant a particular focus on supporting Tulsa’s immigrant and refugee communities and to create opportunities for inclusion and shared prosperity. They are the New Tulsans.

“We really need all Tulsans, whether (they’ve) been here five minutes or five generations,” said Krystal Reyes, chief resilience officer at the City of Tulsa. “One of the (New Tulsans Initiative’s) priorities is to help make Tulsa the mostwelcoming city in the United States.”

Flourish Tulsa is a program of the New Tulsans Initiative that supports internationally trained immigrants to fully utilize their skills and education through credential recognition, career pathway guides and culture competency trainings for employers. Flourish Tulsa partners provide career planning consultations, ESL (English as a Second Language) classes, networking opportunities, as well as paid internship and training opportunities.

But the Initiative’s focus is not only on the college-educated. The New Tulsans Initiative Welcoming Plan lays out, for the city, a 26goal roadmap within five categories: civic engagement, economic development, education, health and public safety.

These goals all focus on immigrant equity in Tulsa and include, for example, “Immigrants in Tulsa have equitable access to safe and reliable public transportation,” under economic development, and, “Data is readily available to evaluate and track how immigrants are served in health and social services,” under health.

Through community events, advisory from the City of Tulsa and multi-faceted monitoring of statistics from a number of angles (particularly during the pandemic), Reyes shared an enthusiastic vision of the city’s progress in this roadmap.

Particular attention is placed on naturalization, a formerly nebulous process that would require a trip to Oklahoma City. Reyes shared estimates of around 6,000 Tulsa County residents eligible for citizenship. The team behind the Initiative has worked to bring the necessary components for the Oath of Citizenship — the final step in naturalization — to sites in Tulsa, with 616 citizens naturalizing since April 2019.

As 2022 progresses, the City plans to keep holding naturalization ceremonies on a regular basis.

Find a more comprehensive history and list of resources on the New Tulsans Initiative at cityoftulsa.org/new-tulsans.

Fifteen-year-old Cing Sang was one of 25 children who took oaths of allegiance to the U.S. in 2021 at the city’s first child citizenship ceremony on July 8 at Gathering Place.

It’s naturally difficult to tackle that superlative without a certain reckoning: according to the 2021 New American Economy Cities Index, 9.2% of Tulsa’s population is foreign-born.

According to the same source, that amounts to 37,898 people, a quarter of whom hold bachelor’s degrees.

There is among this population, however, an under-employment epidemic. While a steady stream of nourishment has been afforded to Tulsa by this stream of immigrants and professional talent, the pendulum has, until now, failed to swing the other way.

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Partner in Prosperity The Tulsa Regional Chamber helps businesses of all shapes and sizes succeed.

For more than 115 years, the Tulsa Regional Chamber has served as an integral part of what makes the Tulsa area a great place to live, work and play. Representing 2,200 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. The Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) has named the Tulsa Regional Chamber the nation’s best chamber a record four times: in 2005, 2008, 2010 and again in 2020.

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 Chamber’s young professionals organization.

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.

For companies looking to build business, the Chamber offers dedicated networking events hosted by 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 such as Business Behind the Scenes. A listing in the Chamber’s online member directory can yield valuable business referrals.

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 can also help develop a long-term regional vision with other civic and community leaders by attending the Chamber’s 56

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MICHELLE POLLARD

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 Top Inclusive Workplaces as recognized by 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 offers chances to gain insights and collaborate with industry peers.

River Spirit Casino Resort

River Spirit Casino Resort has come a long way since March 2009 when it first opened its doors with just a casino. Within seven years, River Spirit went through a massive multi-million dollar expansion, adding Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Restaurant, a world-class hotel tower, meeting and convention space, a resort pool, luxury spa and a concert venue.

River Spirit Casino Resort continues to make an immense impact on the hospitality and entertainment culture of the greater Tulsa area.

With a 27 story, 483-room luxury hotel, two casinos with more than 3,000 gaming machines, numerous poker tables and table games, Margaritaville Restaurant, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, a 2,500-plus seat showroom theater, 10 additional bars and restaurants, a state-of-the-art spa and salon, and a 30,000-square-foot convention and meeting center, River Spirit is able to meet the needs and wants of groups of all sizes.

When the Muscogee Nation began to make plans for River Spirit Casino Resort, it was unanimously decided they needed to offer something for everyone in a luxury setting with the highest class of service. It can go without saying that through the Nation’s creative and strategic planning alongside the hard work and dedication of the casino staff, River Spirit Casino Resort has attained that vision and continues to deliver top-notch service, food, beverage and entertainment.

River Spirit has garnered a multitude of awards, including AAA’s Four Diamond award five years in a row, and Most Ubered Location in Tulsa in 2018.

When a city has a reliable source of entertainment, it adds an element of quality of life for its citizens. River Spirit Casino Resort provides this quality of life in numerous ways:

a place to have family dinners or date nights, attend concerts, a night out with friends, staycations for locals, or a long weekend getaway for out-of-towners. The resort-style pool has created a summer bucket list item for many.

The emotional and social satisfactions that entertainment industries can provide is a crucial component for social and emotional health and has a dramatic influence on society and culture.

With all the offerings of River Spirit Casino Resort, it provides the perfect escape from the real world that brings relaxation, laughter and joy to all who visit.

Step inside River Spirit Casino Resort and prepare to be transported to a tropical paradise unlike anything else in the region. Visit riverspirittulsa.com to learn more.

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Osage Casino Hotel

Osage Casinos continues to be one of the hottest attractions in northeast Oklahoma, and the growth hasn’t stopped. With the groundbreaking of two new casinos in Pawhuska and Bartlesville in 2021, Osage Casinos continues to bring new event venues, delicious dining options and top-notch entertainment choices.

The Tulsa casino is just five minutes from the exciting nightlife options in downtown Tulsa. But with world-class acts like Hall of Famer Wynonna Judd, or alternative band the Revivalists playing at the Skyline Event

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Center, there is no need to leave Osage Casino Hotel Tulsa.

With 286 luxury rooms, including 21 suites and seven hospitality suites, Osage Casinos’ Tulsa location is perfect for a romantic getaway, a fun-filled weekend with friends or a relaxing staycation. In addition to the casino and entertainment venue, the property boasts a resort-style pool and hot tub to melt your cares away.

Customer health and safety is at the forefront of all casino locations. Earlier this year,

Osage Casinos installed a top-of-the-line air purification system. Additionally, executives moved swiftly in early 2020 to implement temperature kiosks for staff, cleanliness tracking software for each machine and new COVID-19 operating procedures. The result is a venue where guests can enjoy exciting entertainment options with peace of mind.

To start planning your next visit to Osage Casino Hotel Tulsa, follow the fun on Instagram and Facebook @OsageCasinos or visit osagecasino.com.

Tourism

By Ray Hoyt, President, Tulsa Regional Tourism

For decades, much of Oklahoma’s economic identity has resided within the energy and aviation industries. Today, thanks to attractions such as Route 66, big events at the BOK Center, the Gathering Place riverfront park, and major sporting events such as the USA BMX Grand Nationals and PGA golf tournaments, tourism is a significant economic driver for Tulsa and the entire state. As a matter of fact, tourism is now the third largest industry in Oklahoma, and the Tulsa region is a huge attraction for many.

In 2020, 7.2 million people visited Tulsa and spent $845 million, generating a total economic impact of $1.2 billion, according to an annual study by Oxford Economics. Marketable visits — purely leisure trips rather than trips to visit friends or relatives — accounted for 3.2 million visits to our region. Local tourism supports more than 15,300 jobs in Tulsa, and the state and local taxes sustained by tourism offsets $590 in taxes for each household in the city.

GREG BOLLINGER

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 2021, we continue to sell the future of Tulsa as a major tourism destination. That’s been made easier by the increase of visit-worthy offerings within our region.

Southern Hills Country Club hosted the 2021 Senior PGA Championship and will host the PGA Championship in May 2022.

For example, Buck Atom’s 21-foot space cowboy on Route 66 is rapidly becoming a must-see roadside attraction. The John Hope Franklin Memorial was named “the most important monument to visit in the U.S.” by National Geographic. The Outsiders House Museum celebrates the beloved literary classic by S.E. Hinton and the film by Francis Ford Coppola. The 66-acre, $465 million Gathering Place riverfront park continues to gain accolades, with USA Today having named it the best new attraction in the country. Travel experts Frommer’s named Tulsa as one of the best places to visit in the United States in

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Tulsa hosted its first IRONMAN North American Championship in 2021.

Within its first five years, City officials project USA BMX will attract over 100,000 visitors and generate more than 100 local, state and national events in the heart of downtown.

The USA BMX Headquarters and the Hardesty National BMX Stadium open in early 2022.

2022. In January, CNN named T-Town a Best Destination for 2022.

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 (Tulsa FMAC), an accredited film commission; and the Tulsa Sports Commission, which markets Tulsa as a destination for 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, the Big 12 Wrestling Championship, 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.

Case in point: Tulsa hosted its first-ever fulldistance IRONMAN triathlon in 2021, making Tulsa the 42nd city in the world to host such an event. What’s even better, that Tulsa event also was the IRONMAN North American Championship. Hosting any IRONMAN event is extremely prestigious, but convening the

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world’s greatest triathletes to compete at the championship level affirms that Tulsa is truly a world-class sports destination. Attracting more than 3,000 triathletes and more than 10,000 spectators, this one event had an estimated economic impact of more than $14 million for our region. IRONMAN’s arrival in Tulsa validates what the community has known about itself for years: northeast Oklahoma is a destination for adventure sports.

Beyond adventure activities, Tulsa also is gaining a reputation as a hub for creativity of all types, including music, film and the visual arts. To better support the growing creative community, Tulsa FMAC maintains a regional creativity database and promotes Tulsa’s assets at events like South by Southwest and

the Sundance Film Festival. In fact, Tulsa was named one of Sundance’s 20 virtual hub partner communities for 2021.

Tulsa FMAC is also Oklahoma’s only accredited city film commission through the Association of Film Commissioners International, and that distinction is paying huge dividends. Tulsa FMAC supported 41 film productions in the past year alone, with more in the pipeline for 2022 and beyond, including major motion pictures and television.

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

IRONMAN: ANNE BROCKMAN; USA BMX: TIM LANDES

For fiscal year July 2020 to June 2021, the total economic impact of the conferences and events our city hosted was $227 million. More than 143,000 hotel room nights were booked along the way. Tulsa Regional Tourism recruited 62 new events to the region, and 97 events that had already been held here came back again.

But the best news is we are continuing to add to our tourism portfolio as a region.

USA BMX

The sport of BMX racing dates back to 1973. It was first sanctioned under the National Bicycle Association, “NBA.” The NBA was the first to organize multiple tracks, create rulebooks and began tracking the athletes in order to award athletes at the end of its season. The first national event was held in 1975 in Phoenix, Arizona. But, in true American form, there were others who felt they could do things better and improve on the NBA’s format. By 1976, a sanctioning war had begun for the sport.

Ever since, USA BMX has been headquartered in Gilbert, Arizona. However, in 2022, the headquarters is moving to Tulsa in a state-ofthe-art facility. This headquarters will oversee the more than 375 sanctioned tracks around the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico and its 70,000 members. USA BMX coordinates the national, regional, state and local scheduling for all of its tracks, as well as manages the U.S. Olympic BMX Trials in conjunction with the United States Olympic Committee and USA Cycling.

The American Bicycle Association – “ABA” was formed and it held its first event in 1978 in Azusa, California. Eventually, there were additional sanctioning bodies, but the main two constantly in competition were between the NBA and the ABA. Eventually, in June 2011, the sport of BMX became one sanction. The two sanctioning bodies have united and both have joined under the USA BMX umbrella.

Philanthropy has always been something the USA BMX brand values deeply. Being the largest youth cycling organization in the U.S. and Canada, USA BMX recognizes its opportunity to deeply impact and inspire the next generation.

The USA BMX Foundation, the nonprofit arm of USA BMX, provides STEM and STEAM educational resources for youth and teaching professionals as well as college scholarships for USA BMX members and track volunteers.

In fact, BMX is the only Olympic sport with a fully integrated STE(A)M program which is now deployed in more than 300 schools nationwide and 225,000 students engaged. It also includes specific programming for at-risk youth, training them in the ins and outs of bicycle mechanics so they can graduate high school with the skillset to immediately get a job in the industry.

The new national headquarters in Tulsa also will host after-school clinics and coaching, weekly practices and racing on a local and regional level, an annual state championship race, two national championship series races annually, a vintage national championship and more.

No one knows what USA BMX will bring in the future, but one thing is evident: USA BMX is just getting started. Tulsa is extremely fortunate to have USA BMX call it home.

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The Business Case for Diversity

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

In many cases, diversity of leadership drives profits. Research by the management consulting firm McKinsey and Co. finds that 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.

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.

Daniel Parham is the owner of Dragonslayer Games, a mixed-media gaming and hobby shop dedicated to providing its customers with a unique, customer-oriented experience.

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MICHELLE POLLARD; MOSAIC: COURTESY 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.

Mosaic and the Inclusive Workplace Index As the Tulsa Regional Chamber’s coalition of companies and nonprofit partners committed to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), 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.

A number of encouraging insights came from the 2021 index. For example, of those organizations participating in the index, 69% have programs in place to develop a pipeline of diverse leaders, and 85% sponsor training or offer access to programs that focus on embracing differences and overcoming bias.

A full 83% of participating organizations take employees’ religious beliefs into account when planning work or holiday-related events, and 87% offer floating time off for employees to observe events of personal or religious significance.

Nor do companies limit their DEI efforts to their own organizations. Of those taking the 2021 index, 83% engage employees in community DEI work by encouraging volunteerism with diverse populations.

Tulsa Regional Chamber’s 2021 State of Inclusion event

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.

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Commerce

By Jamie Richert Jones

As we enter the third calendar year of COVID-19, communities all across the country are reframing for a new economic landscape.

Tulsa is no exception.

“Everyone to some extent is a little bit nervous because they don’t know what’s going to happen with the virus. It’s a bit of a wild card right now,” said Eric Olson, Ph.D., director of finance and operations management and Chapman Associate Professor of Finance at the University of Tulsa.

Even with the uncertainty caused by the pandemic, Tulsa’s economy, anchored by energy, banking and aerospace, has weathered the storm.

“When it comes to our GDP, we are doing well,” said Ama Abrokwah, Ph.D., director of research at the Tulsa Regional Chamber, adding that Business Facilities Annual Rankings Report ranked the Tulsa Metro as No. 1 in GDP for mid-sized MSA’s in 2021. “The pandemic is the major thing that is slowing down growth in most communities, including ours. Manufacturing and the hospitality industries, in general, are sectors that have been heavily affected by the pandemic. There have been disruptions in supply chain, as well as in the labor market.

These disruptions have caused significant labor shortages in the labor market. The frontline workers were most affected early on in the pandemic and are not returning to the

same jobs and working conditions. They are now returning to jobs with higher wages, paid time off and additional benefits. Others have not returned back into the labor market due to lingering concerns about the virus, child care issues and the reluctance to give up the flexibility of working remotely.”

Similar struggles have plagued the banking industry.

“Banks are experiencing many of the same challenges other industries are facing including hiring and staffing challenges, COVID-related issues, inflation and supply chain issues,” said Scott Mabrey, chief executive officer of Mabrey Bank. “Banks have generally been flexible CONTINUED ON P. 66

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First Oklahoma Bank Leaders of First Oklahoma Bank know well that building a better bank is about building strong relationships.

To that end, it is about treating people as they would like to be treated - with respect, fairness, and expediency - and helping them maneuver the financial complexities that often come with building a business or buying a home.

“First Oklahoma Bank’s entrepreneurial spirit, consistency and quality-growth business model set it apart,” said Tom Bennett III, President of First Oklahoma Bank. “First Oklahoma is owned and operated by local people who live in the community. We understand our local economy and make our decisions locally. We can adapt to the needs of our customers and create better banking products and services without all 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 and professionals.

When the COVID-19 crisis hit, First Oklahoma Bank was at the forefront helping small businesses and sole proprietors understand the federal government’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) as well as the government guaranteed loan programs of SBA and USDA. Over the last two years, the bank has processed more than $250 million in government guaranteed loans that have enabled small businesses to survive through the pandemic and move forward to a positive future.

First Oklahoma’s interpersonal connections are evident through the many charitable causes it supports. The bank’s annual participation in the local United Way fundraising campaign has led it to being recognized as a “Best of the Best” company for 12 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. More recently, First Oklahoma members have been supporting Afghan families who have been resettled in the Tulsa area.

“The success of a banking company depends on the health of the markets and communities it serves, the strength of its ownership/ management/staff, and the ability to adapt to a dynamic environment,” said Bennett. “We are building something special that is making a positive difference in the lives of all those we serve.”

First Oklahoma Bank was established on Nov. 4, 2009, when First Oklahoma Holdings Inc. the bank’s parent company, acquired Glencoe State Bank. First Oklahoma had grown to over $940 million in assets by year-end 2021 and plans to top $1 billion by 2023. The bank has locations in Jenks, midtown Tulsa and Glencoe that are staffed by more than 130 bankers.

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

Chairman and Co-CEO Tom Bennett Jr. with President and Co-CEO Tom Bennett III.

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and adopted new practices and ways of doing business in order to continue to serve our customers and communities.”

However, local experts are optimistic about Tulsa’s economy and believe it is positioned for innovative growth.

Inflation has been a topic of concern nationwide.

“Over the past 10 years, the Tulsa Metro has added nearly 70,000 new residents and crossed the 1-million-person threshold in 2020. The Chamber’s economic development team works hard to attract top talents and business from all over the United States into the region while providing the needed resources for existing

“Typically, as inflation is higher than normal and interest rates rise significantly, economic growth is stifled, which presents a challenge for all industries,” Mabrey said. “Continued high inflation and increasing interest rates are a concern for banks and the entire economy.”

companies and talents to thrive,” Abrokwah said. “Tulsa is a place to live, work and play.

The region’s low cost of living, affordable housing and real estate prices are major draws for most people and companies relocating to Tulsa. Places like Gathering Place, the Tulsa Zoo, the museums, unique eateries and the nightlife also add attractiveness. It’s a good place to raise a family.”

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CREDIT UNIONS IN TULSA COUNTY

Downtown Tulsa

C R EDI T U N ION N A ME

TOTAL ASSETS 1

Dowell Federal Credit Union

41,980,375

Employees Federal Credit Union

47,496,004

Encentus Federal Credit Union Energy One Federal Credit Union

29,705,758 267,283,033

Fire Fighters Credit Union

43,569,292

First Oklahoma Federal Credit Union

32,413,625

First Tulsa Federal Credit Union

14,358,848

Fraternal Order Of Police Federal Credit Union Green Country Federal Credit Union Morning Star Federal Credit Union OK Members First Federal Credit Union Oklahoma Central Credit Union Pearl District Federal Credit Union Red Crown Credit Union Saint Francis Employees Credit Union Space Age Tulsa Federal Credit Union

48,055,737 109,105,711 930,406 24,206,551 704,007,766 13,818,951 268,408,061 52,939,492 16,980,540

TTCU Federal Credit Union

2,558,412,940

Tulsa Federal Credit Union

905,591,167

United Members Federal Credit Union Western Sun Federal Credit Union

14,076,131 194,774,736

GREG BOLLINGER

1 DOLLAR AMOUNT SOURCE: NATIONAL CREDIT UNION ADMINISTRATION, FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE REPORT. DATA AS OF NOVEMBER 9, 2021.

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

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Central Bank of Oklahoma Central Bank in Oklahoma is now even stronger.

In October 2021, Central Bancompany moved its 13 community bank charters into one. Central Bancompany is a $20 billion serving in more than 250 communities in Oklahoma, Missouri, Kansas and Illinois. Our products and services provide individual consumers and businesses with cutting edge technology. This single charter structure allows local bank management to continue to lead our service in the communities we serve, doing what is best for our customers here in Oklahoma.

Currently we have eight locations in Oklahoma, including the communities of Tulsa, Sapulpa, Owasso, OKC and Edmond and more than 250 locations in 66 communities serving consumers and businesses in Oklahoma, Missouri, Kansas and Illinois.

Secure. In 2021 the prestigious business publication, Forbes Magazine, recognized Central Bancompany as the 4th 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 of Oklahoma is proud part of each of our communities.

Your 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.

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Bank of America THE POWER OF LOCAL CONNECTIONS At Bank of America, we have leading capabilities across all our businesses and a strategy that is focused on connecting our capabilities to deliver for our customers and clients. In every situation, we’re committed to growing responsibly and sustainably – ensuring everything we do aligns to our purpose of helping people live better financial lives.

• Families can have the tools and support they need to live more successful financial lives.

• Neighborhoods can be built on a solid foundation of responsible home lending and economic development.

• Businesses, small and large, can benefit from our financial and intellectual capital.

• And the organizations, nonprofits and companies addressing society's toughest problems can have the resources and expertise of the company and the efforts of our over 200,000 employees behind them.

In each market, we strive to connect everything our company offers to clients' personal and financial goals so we can tailor solutions to fit their needs. It's how we make this large company personal and how we

help our customers, clients and communities thrive.

FIND A LOCATION For your everyday financial needs or more complex ones, our experienced specialists can help at locations around Tulsa.

TULSA IS YOUR HOME. IT’S OURS, TOO. We are committed to helping our communities thrive - dedicating our resources to address the issues that matter most in each community.

LET’S BUILD SOMETHING TOGETHER By partnering with nonprofits and other organizations, Bank of America stepped up to support Tulsa on every level, from racial justice to reskilling and fighting hunger. We’re a major contributor to Greenwood Rising that tells the important story of the original “Black Wall Street” and the 1921 Tulsa race massacre. And with the third-largest Native American population in the country, we’re contributing funds to initiatives in the community. Helping people find rewarding work is a key focus, especially in communities of color, and we support a range of programs, including a summer youth employment plan and a barista training initiative. We partner with nonprofits to feed over 500 families a week, support mental health initiatives and ensure schools and nonprofits get the PPE they need.

CONTINUED FROM P. 66

Bill Lissau, President, Bank of America Tulsa

Tulsa is an extraordinary philanthropic city, and being part of so many efforts to reach all of our diverse communities is truly rewarding. It’s gratifying to have tremendous teammates and community partners working together to make a positive impact on so many people’s lives.

Visit www.bankofamerica.com/tulsa to learn more, find a location and make an appointment to talk with us.

COMMERCIAL BANKS IN TULSA COUNTY BANK NAME

Olson concurs. “What’s happened during the pandemic is that people have realized they can do a lot of stuff from home, work remotely, etc.

Talking with midsized employers, we’re finding it’s a tool to attract talent,” he said.

BANK NAME

257,845

Gateway First Bank

415,002

American Bank of Oklahoma

143,476

Grand Bank

405,077

295,059

International Bank of Commerce (IBC) 2

American Heritage Bank 2

2,458,703

JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA 2

AVB Bank

402,179

Mabrey Bank

BancFirst 2

910,945

MapleMark Bank 2

Bank 7 2 Bank of America 2 Bank of Commerce 2 Bank of the West 2 Blue Sky Bank 2 BOKF, NA

98,205 2,127,400 8,338

MidFirst Bank 2 Oklahoma Capital Bank Prosperity Bank 2

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981,737 133,311 1,152,534 114,528 1,150,970

36,501

RCB Bank 2

440,965

173,781

Regent Bank

457,069

Security Bank

706,874

13,752,857 531,095

Simmons Bank 2

220,745

Commerce Bank 2

265,020

SpiritBank

408,572

CrossFirst Bank 2

562,938

Stride Bank, National Association

47,080

Equity Bank 2

165,820

The City National Bank and Trust Company of Lawton, Oklahoma 2

31,904

First Bank of Owasso

29,374 516,896

The Exchange Bank 2

183,329 199,177

51,061

Triad Bank, NA

First Oklahoma Bank

790,678

UMB Bank, NA 2

First Pryority Bank 2

131,558

Vast Bank, National Association

Firstar Bank, NA 2

164,250

Yorktown Bank 2

First Fidelity Bank, NA 2

38,463

The First National Bank and Trust Company of Broken Arrow

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, 2021.

68

321,631 1,175,494

Central Bank of Oklahoma

Fidelity Bank, National Association

1

DEPOSITS1

American Bank and Trust Company

Arvest Bank 2

With the ability to work remotely and low cost of living, Tulsa is an attractive market for those wanting to relocate. “Tulsa really has great longterm prospects,” Olson said. “This area reminds me so much of Nashville. It’s such a cool city.

You have the cultural stuff, the arts, you have the old music scene kind of like Nashville, a really strong research university. The longterm prospects are really good. There’s a lot of people moving out of California and the highcost states. Here you have a mid-sized city with a million people and a low cost of living.”

DEPOSITS1

56,092 642,737 58,026

Security Bank For two decades, Security Bank has been helping Tulsa business owners reach their dreams. From local startups to successful companies, Security Bank works hard to deliver custom banking solutions for diverse business needs.

A locally owned and operated institution in itself, Security Bank is familiar with the challenges small business owners face on a daily basis. The new normal requires flexibility, quick decision making and responsiveness that has been the business model of Security Bank since it opened in 2000. They offer their personal attention, expertise and support to help customers adapt and thrive through good and difficult times.

“We believe the success of small businesses is important in building local economic vitality and in shaping Tulsa for the better,” said Dawne Stafford, chief executive officer. “We serve because we’re passionate about people

and our community. When we work together, we enrich the whole community.”

Security Bank is dedicated to preserving the local community bank culture, where success is achieved through a genuine respect for others. “We treat people the way we want to be treated,” said Tom Gay, president and chief lending officer. “We’ve built loyal relationships with our customers over the years because of who we are by nature: honest, caring and genuine.”

This year marks Security Bank’s 22nd anniversary and their continued commitment to serve the Tulsa business community with their highest level of care. Centrally located at 51st Street and Highway 169, they invite you to come experience the difference at Security Bank.

Visit us online at sbtulsa.bank.

Member FDIC and Equal Housing Lender.

Dawne Stafford, CEO; Tom Gay, President; Eric Bohne, Chairman

Green Country Appraisal Green Country Appraisal Service is celebrating 40 years of appraisal and consultation work for various banks, government entities, lawyers and individuals. Commercial properties appraised include retail, restaurants, offices, churches, industrial, multifamily, mixed-use, vacant land, cattle ranches and conservation easements throughout northeast Oklahoma.

Timothy M. Glass, MAI, SRA is the company president and a licensed appraiser in the state of Oklahoma.

In 2000, he was the president of the Green Country of Oklahoma Chapter of the Appraisal Institute. Nationally, he has served on the Regional Ethics and Counseling Panel of the Appraisal

Institute. The National Association of Realtors has awarded Glass with the Realtor Emeritus designation in recognition of valuable and lasting contribution to the real estate profession and the community.

The company’s secretary, Christine Peck, has been with the firm for 32 years and handles word processing, research of local market trends and report publishing.

Together, Green Country Appraisal’s team provides comprehensive appraisal reports for lenders, buyers, sellers and estate settlement.

1703 E. Skelly Drive, Suite 101 918-744-5744

Timothy M. Glass, President

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Aviation and Aerospace

By Alexis Higgins, CEO, Tulsa Airports

General aviation activity has remained steady throughout the pandemic in Tulsa, with flight training bolstering demand for services at both Tulsa International Airport (TUL) and Tulsa Riverside Airport (RVS). As the industry continues to recover, airlines, MRO (maintenance, repair and overhaul) facilities and corporate flight departments all look to our region’s prestigious training institutions to fulfill their workforce needs.

In 2021, Spartan College of Aeronautics, a Tulsa institution for over 93 years, formed numerous partnerships with industry stakeholders to provide sustainable, inclusive pathways for aspiring pilots and mechanics. Its partnership with Cherokee Nation provides Cherokee Nation citizens careeroriented education by introducing them to educational opportunities that prepare them for a future in aviation. In addition to Spartan, Tulsa Community College, Tulsa Technology Center and Oklahoma State University all provide advanced training and certifications to support the changing needs of our industry.

As passenger activity grew in 2021, so did demand for additional flights. Last year, Tulsa International Airport experienced unprecedented air service growth, with nine new routes added and the addition of a new airline, Breeze Airways. Tulsa now has service to 23 nonstop destinations, including 12 of the top 15 markets for Tulsa travelers. Tulsa travelers enjoy nonstop service to the nation’s Capital via DCA or to the Pacific Coast via LAX, with vacation destinations growing in popularity. If a beach vacation is in your future, airlines provide service to six beach destinations in Florida alone.

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to explore area attractions or attend national events. In 2022, we look forward to welcoming attendees for the PGA Championship, IRONMAN, Major League Fishing and the USA BMX Grand Nationals. New attractions in the region such as Greenwood Rising, Gathering Place, or the Pioneer Woman’s Mercantile in Pawhuska, also are bringing new visitors from across the country. The Tulsa region is now a destination that offers tourists a unique arts and music scene, rich history and expansive outdoor entertainment options.

As demand for air travel continues to improve, our City’s expansive network of maintenance, repair and overhaul activity also is breathing new life. American is proceeding with its targeted $550 million investment of its base maintenance facility, Tech Ops – Tulsa, home to more than 4,500 employees. Bizjet, a Lufthansa Technik company, extended its lease agreement at Tulsa International Airport for another

10 years and continues to grow its engine maintenance capability. L3Harris, a defense contractor for the U.S. military, announced its plan to build the Sky Warden aircraft in Tulsa, a project that will bring an additional 200 jobs to the area. Area companies continue to make investments into their Tulsa facilities to insure their long-term, sustained success.

These are just some of the many highlights from the local aviation and aerospace community.

There are approximately 200 aviation organizations located in the Tulsa MSA, and that number is growing. As the industry prepares for a future that includes a framework for urban air mobility, sustainable aviation fuels and a broader application of flight technologies, the depth of Tulsa’s workforce and diverse aviation expertise will continue to propel our success. It is an exciting time to be a part of Oklahoma’s fastest-growing industry.

The Sky Warden is a military aircraft to be built by Tulsa’s L3Harris.

SKY WARDEN: COURTESY L3HARRIS TECHOLOGIES

Despite unprecedented challenges created by a global pandemic, our region’s aviation and aerospace industry is focused on our future.

Collectively, our industry is moving forward with our sights set on sustainable, innovative and inclusive solutions that will support general, commercial and military aviation, while competitively positioning us for the next generation of air and space travel.

TULSA REGION MA JOR AVIATION COMPANIES 2022 COMPANY

INDUSTRY

EMPLOYEES

American Airlines, Inc.

Airport terminal services

5,200

The Nordam Group, LLC

Aircraft engines and engine parts

2,413

Navico, Inc.

Navigational systems and instruments

1,500 1,083

Omni Air International, LLC

Flying charter service

Triumph Aerostructures - Tulsa, LLC

Aircraft body and wing assemblies and parts

800

Bizjet International Sales And Support, Inc.

Aircraft engines and engine parts

300

Walden's Machine, LLC

Aircraft parts and equipment, nec

285

Orizon Aerostructures - Owasso, Inc.

Aircraft engines and engine parts

284

Cherokee Nation Businesses, LLC

Aircraft parts and equipment, nec

280

Accurus Aerospace Tulsa, LLC

Aircraft assemblies, subassemblies, and parts, nec

210

Southwest United Industries, Inc.

Aircraft parts and equipment, nec

177

Tulsa Airports Improvement Trust

Airport

175

Pryer Machine & Tool Company

Search and navigation equipment

155

Limco Airepair, Inc.

Aircraft parts and equipment, nec

140

Primus International, Inc.

Aircraft body and wing assemblies and parts

123

First Wave Aviation, LLC

Aircraft instruments, equipment or parts

120

Pratt & Whitney Engine Services, Inc.

Turbines, aircraft type

113

First Wave Aerospace, LLC

Aircraft and parts, nec

100

Helicomb International, Inc.

Helicopter parts manufacturing

100

Prime Flight Aviation Services

Fixed base operator

100

Safety Training Systems, Inc.

Airline training devices

100

Pryer Aerospace, LLC

Ailerons, aircraft

99

Lufthansa Technik Component Services, LLC

Air transportation equipment

92

Csi Aerospace, Inc.

Aircraft parts and equipment, nec

85

Lmi Finishing, Inc.

Aircraft parts and equipment, nec

80

Covington Aircraft Engines

Aircraft engines and engine parts

68

Rajon, LLC

Aircraft parts and equipment, nec

65

Drake Air, Inc.

Aircraft servicing and repairing

60

Newton Design, LLC

Aircraft training equipment

60

Tulsair Beechcraft, Inc.

Aircraft maintenance and repair services

60

Mercury Air Center Tulsa, Inc.

Aircraft and parts, nec

50

Southwest Airlines Company

Air passenger carrier, scheduled

50

Safety Training Systems, Inc.

Airline training devices manufacturing

50

NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES MAY BE ESTIMATED. SOURCE: DUN & BRADSTREET USA 2021.

COMPILED BY RESEARCH WIZARD, TULSA CITY-COUNTY LIBRARY

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Media

By Deborah Laker

The pulse of Tulsa is captured by the city’s media outlets. Listening to classic hit stations during a commute, receiving mobile weather updates and reading reviews on downtown restaurants are some of the ways locals stay informed and entertained.

More than 30 AM and FM stations broadcast in Tulsa focusing on subject matter ranging from news and sports to urban, Top 40, country and gospel music.

Over the past several years, multiple digital news options, such as the Black Wall Street Times and The Frontier, have been reporting local, regional and national news from their Tulsa newsrooms.

Tulsa World has been covering news, lifestyle and sports since 1905. This award-winning publication, located on 315 S. Boulder Ave. is the second-largest newspaper in Oklahoma. In 1997, Tulsa World became the first newspaper in North America to install state-of-art shaftless Wifag presses, capable of printing 70,000 copies per hour. A dedicated team of journalists is dedicated to informing and inspiring the Tulsa community with credible news stories.

The Oklahoma Eagle, La Semana del Sur, Greater Tulsa Reporter and other print newspapers provide community-specific news to a wide range of readerships.

Since 1986, TulsaPeople Magazine has educated, informed, entertained and enlightened readers through its monthly publication.

Broadcasting from the garage of an International Harvester dealership, The News 6 on signed on the air in October 1949, as Tulsa’s first television station. For more than 50 years, this CBS affiliate has offered its audience reports on current affairs, weather, lifestyle programming and livestreams of sporting events.

On Oct. 19, 1947, the first Oklahoma FM station — 89.5 — began broadcasting and its call letters — KWGS — reflect the generosity of oilman William Grove Skelly. Today it is Public Radio Tulsa, which is a listener-supported service of the University of Tulsa and the local affiliate of National Public Radio. Its sister station, Classical 88.7 KWTU was the first station in Oklahoma to broadcast in digital HD radio.

The KJRH (NBC) studios reside in the bustling Brookside neighborhood.

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KJRH: MICHELLE POLLARD; COURTESY CANOO

ABC, NBC and FOX all have Tulsa affiliates. OETA is Tulsa’s local PBS station. Multiple stations also broadcast news and entertainment to Tulsa’s Spanish-speaking audience.

Manufacturing

By Dave Rowland, President, Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance

What was expected to be a return to normalcy for local manufacturers, instead became a year filled with supply chain disruptions and worker shortages in 2021. Despite the tumult, local business owners look to the future and remain enthusiastic. The ability to endure is a trait that has served Tulsans well over the past century and that unrelenting nature provides a backdrop for the cautious optimism that prevails among area firms.

“The rising cost of raw materials and scarcity of components have kept most manufacturers backlogged without the ability to fully meet customer demands,” said Kristina Wadley, an extension agent with the Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance. “That reverberates up and down supply chains. If you include the strain of finding enough qualified workers, it looks like a long grind back to the pre-pandemic environment.”

The impact of a healthy manufacturing sector on Tulsa’s economy cannot be overestimated.

There are about 65,000 manufacturing wageearners in the 11-county 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 support 16.8 additional jobs. Taxes collected on just manufacturing production in the area was $170 million last year. Overall, the regional value of manufacturing output is normally more than $30 billion annually.

“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,”

Wadley said. “While some of these smaller companies did not survive the downturn, most of the lost business was picked up by other firms. It is not an ideal situation, but opportunities continue to emerge.”

Perhaps Tulsa’s biggest recent opportunity arrived with an announcement from Canoo, a manufacturer of electric automobiles. It plans to construct a $400 million “mega microfactory” near Pryor in northeastern Oklahoma. The plant will manufacture pickups and multipurpose delivery vehicles.

The campus at MidAmerica Industrial Park will integrate a full commercialization facility with a paint and body shop and general assembly plant. It also will include a low-volume industrialization site and a vocational training center. The factory, with a workforce near 2,000 people, should become fully operational

Canoo, a manufacturer of electric vehicles, will build pickups and multipurpose vehicles, such as this, at its future $400 million “mega microfactory” near Pryor.

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by 2024. In addition, Canoo will create a technology hub and software development center in Tulsa, employing more than 300.

“Canoo’s American-made electric vehicles will be a catalyst for talent, growth and innovation in Oklahoma,” CEO Tony Aquila said. “We plan to amplify the impact of our individual investments in Tulsa and contribute to a more diverse, dynamic and competitive local economy.”

Activities at the Tulsa Port of Catoosa continued at a brisk pace. Automotive supplier Lyseon North America plans major new operations there, initially leasing 200,000 square feet of manufacturing space. The company will serve as a supplier to Tulsa’s Navistar Bus plant and bring another electric vehicle supplier to the area. Existing manufacturer Kelvion, formerly GEA Rainey, is planning to invest $6 million to refurbish its plant at the port and expects to add as many as 160 jobs by 2024. The factory expansion is related to a new product involving robotic welding equipment.

Increased demand for automated equipment like robotic welders is directly related to the struggle to hire enough skilled workers. It’s a shrinking labor pool as life-long employees retire and fewer younger people are interested in manufacturing careers. “With companies trying to grow, it’s about finding people that want to go to work,” Port Director David Yarbrough said.

“That’s their biggest challenge.”

TULSA MANUFACTURING MIX 2022 SECTOR

Primary & Fabricated Metal Industries

SIC

FIRMS

EMPLOYEES

33-34

679

11,907

Machinery (except electrical)

35

709

9,590

Transportation Equipment

37

190

7,059

Food, Beverage, & Tobacco

20-21

173

4,209

Measuring & Analyzing Instruments

38

183

3,476

Computers, Electrical & Electronic Equipment

36

218

4,500

Printing, Publishing & Allied Industries

27

662

4,204

Plastic & Rubber Products

30

119

2,168

Miscellaneous Manufacturing Industries

39

536

3,628

Petroleum Refining & Related Industries

29

40

1,284

Chemicals & Allied Products

28

208

2,234

Glass, Stone, Clay & Concrete Products

32

123

2,069

Paper Products

26

29

1,031

Apparel, Textiles, Leather

22,23,31

218

1,099

Lumber & Wood Products

24

201

1,077

Furniture & Fixtures

25

70

565

4,358

6 0 ,10 0

T O TA L SECTORS ARE BASED ON SIC (STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION) CODES 20-39.

GEOGRAPHIC REGION: TULSA METROPOLITAN STATISTICAL AREA. SOURCE: BASED ON DATA FROM DUN & BRADSTREET, OCTOBER NOVEMBER 2021.

COMPILED BY RESEARCH WIZARD, TULSA CITY-COUNTY LIBRARY.

“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. “An example is the Tulsa firm 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 74

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In 2021 Broken Arrow officials announced an initiative — the Innovation District — that will merge high-tech manufacturing with housing and education in the city’s southern sector.

COURTESY CITY OF BROKEN ARROW

Recently the Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance teamed up with the Oklahoma Office of Workforce Development to launch a new registered apprenticeship program, helping manufacturers improve the skills of new and existing employees.

Southern Sheet Metal Works, Inc. There aren’t many businesses in Tulsa — or anywhere — that can claim over 117 years of continuing operation, but Southern Sheet Metal Works achieved it in 2021. And, even more notable, the company has been continually owned and operated by the same family since 1904 when J.W. Tidwell launched the business during the early years of the Oklahoma oil boom.

“My great-grandfather created a company that achieved early success as a supplier to the oil industry in Oklahoma, but boomed with the invention and fabrication of a counter-balance ventilator product that was used in industrial and commercial buildings during those early years,” said Mike Tidwell, company president. “Today, our highly-skilled and experienced craftsmen are able to transform ideas and concepts into functional metal pieces and products using laser-cutting, plasma-cutting, and shearing technology”.

SSMW is a major supplier of fabricated duct work, for dust collection, heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems. Also, custom fabrication for the energy sector including stainless steel, aluminum, galvanized and carbon steel capabilities, plus industrial ventilation maintenance and fabrication.

workforce to facilitate continued business expansion.”

TAT Limco recently announced its parent company is relocating operations from Israel to Tulsa and increasing its current Oklahoma footprint. The company, which manufactures thermal components for the aviation and defense industries, plans to add more than 300 positions.

As part of a complex defense supply chain, TAT Limco knows first-hand the rippling effects of delays and disruptions. To help secure those regional links, Gov. Kevin Stitt launched Supply Chain Oklahoma, an effort to provide critical resources to state manufacturers. The first key piece of this initiative is “Connex Oklahoma,” a new free online database system. The tool allows manufacturers to connect, find alternate suppliers, explore production capabilities and view their supply chain virtually. Just as important, it also helps manufacturers identify single-supplier risks, and find opportunities for diversification in their supply chains.

“The pandemic helped pinpoint significant needs when it comes to securing and bolstering supply chains, especially in identifying local

Southern Cornice Works, the sheet metal business founded by J.W. Tidwell, circa 1906-10 at 116 S. Cincinnati Ave.

David Tidwell became the fourth generation member of the family to join the company in 2008. Mike and David teamed-up to create a new company division — Southern Safe Rooms. The division fabricates above-ground, reinforced steel storm shelters. “Our safe rooms are designed to be installed in garages, workshops or any location with a reinforced concrete slab floor that is at least four

inches thick,” noted CEO David Tidwell. “Each Safe Room is designed and manufactured to withstand the 250 mph winds of an EF5 twister, and can double as a safe haven from home intruders”.

resources,” Stitt said. “Supply Chain Oklahoma and this Connex platform will boost our state’s competitiveness and give manufacturers complete information to make decisions that benefit their business and the broader community. We know Oklahoma wins when we collaborate at a high level.”

A plethora of resources help maintain the city’s proactive atmosphere. Tulsa’s higher-education institutions provide strong support for industry.

The University of Tulsa and Northeastern State University-Broken Arrow work closely with area firms to strengthen the workforce. Another valuable resource is the Advanced Technology Center at Oklahoma State University-Tulsa. The Business and Industry Training Service at Tulsa Tech is among the most effective in the nation.

This type of innovative thinking is becoming more prominent across the community.

Fab Lab Tulsa is planning a new facility called the Hardesty Hub for Makers. It will be a twostory, 13,500-square-foot center in the Kendall Whittier neighborhood. The nonprofit Fab Lab Tulsa combines education, workforce and business programming to encourage innovation, design-thinking, problem-solving and changemaking.

The city of Broken Arrow launched an initiative dubbed the Innovation District, which leaders say will merge high-tech manufacturing, housing and education. Ninety acres have been set aside for future development. “It’s going to be something that will bring national and international corporations to Broken Arrow and spur innovation,” Mayor Craig Thurmond said upon the March 2021 announcement. “It’s the one of biggest things we’ve ever done.”

SSMW is located at 1225 E. Second St. For additional information call 918-584-3371 or visit southernsheetmetal.com.

“Now, more than ever, we should think about how important industry is to our community,” Wadley said. “As it has been for 100-plus years, manufacturing is the pillar of economic strength in northeastern Oklahoma. It’s the foundation of so many vital sectors like aerospace, energy and now automotive. It’s been a tough couple of years, but Tulsa is positioned for substantial progress.”

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

It is the only statewide organization dedicated to the manufacturing industry, which continues to be the backbone of Oklahoma’s economy.

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Energy

By Robert Evatt

While 2020 wasn’t the best year for anyone, the energy industry was hit with a particularly nasty surprise. The sudden onset of COVID-19 and the lockdowns that came in its wake brought travel, commuting and a significant portion of work to a sudden halt, causing a dramatic drop-off in energy demand that year.

But 2021 rapidly reversed the sector’s woes as society reopened and demand grew, according to Tom Seng, director of the School of Energy and Mervin Bovaird Professor of Energy Business at the University of Tulsa.

“When you go back to last spring, oil had started to cross through the $60 per barrel area, and things started opening up locally and across the world,” Seng said. “Nobody expected demand to come back this fast.”

With demand back up, most oil and gas companies are now thriving. The previous year’s losses have given way to significant profits based upon high prices, and organizations that had to lay off workers are now replenishing their workforce, although some slowly.

However, Seng said most publicly traded oil and gas companies, including local ones, have exercised restraint so far.

Rather than significantly increase drilling, they’ve paid down debt, and publicly traded companies have bought back stock to shore up the stock price and pay better dividends to shareholders.

“It’s been remarkable to watch that fiscal discipline,” he said.

Keener Oil and Gas Co. has followed the same path. Dewey F. Bartlett Jr., president of the company, said Keener, like others, are largely concentrating on paying off debt and building up depleted savings. “Rather than spending money by drilling, we are spending funds to repair and improve the production of our existing wells,” Bartlett said. “The pricing environment has been bad for quite a while. Those that stayed in business had to retrench in order to survive.”

Increased oil prices have been a boon to local oil companies, though opinions differ as to their cause. Seng said he believes the rapid rise resulted from a sudden increase in demand, with worldwide governments lifting COVID restrictions and life returning to something close to normal.

“No one expected demand to increase as rapidly as it has,” he said.

However, Bartlett said the higher prices could also stem from the Biden administration moving to reverse much of the Trump administration’s work to increase North American oil production.

“That prevented the importing of oil from Canada, our best friend and trading partner, directly to Cushing, Oklahoma, where domestic oil market prices are determined,” he said.

Bartlett said he believes oil prices will stay in the $80 per barrel range this year, while Seng said he believes oil prices will fall throughout 2022 to lower levels than currently exist.

Natural gas on ice Though oil prices shot up, the increase was nothing compared to what happened with natural gas. Brutal winter weather hammered the region in February 2021, with large amounts of snow and an extended period of sub-zero temperatures keeping everyone inside and struggling to stay warm. On top of greatly increased demand, the weather caused a brief halt to natural gas production. As a result, natural gas prices shot up from between $2$3 per Metric Million British Thermal Unit to as much as $23 MMBtu, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Prices fell from the peak quickly but left the threat of high bills in future months to cover the cost of natural gas used by consumers. Sid McAnnally, CEO of ONE Gas, said utilities such as his worked diligently to both keep the supply flowing and prevent customers from seeing their gas bills skyrocket. ONE Gas had to react quickly to work with legislators to protect customers from the significantly higher price for natural gas used and smooth out customer bills forward. Right now, ONE Gas and other utilities are working with regulators to determine how to recoup the cost for natural gas used during the event from consumers through relatively modest monthly cost of gas increase, a process that could take decades.

Seng said regional utilities have taken the lessons of February 2021 to heart and are making various preparations to ensure future harsh winters don’t take them by surprise.

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“Utilities are preparing themselves in a better fashion than they were last year,” he said.

“Though we don’t expect February to happen again, they’re running what-if scenarios.”

The Sue Bland No. 1 well struck oil in 1901 in the west Tulsa neighborhood of Red Fork. The well produced 35 barrels of oil per day originally. Four years later, the Glenn Pool was discovered and Tulsa became known as the Oil Capital of the World.

McAnnally said ONE Gas and other natural gas utilities served their customers well during the cold snap.

“The storm actually proved the reliability of the natural gas system,” he said. “We had very few outages for our customers during the February 2021 storm. Fewer than 900 of the 2.2 million ONE Gas customers experienced an outage. The few outages that did occur lasted less than 24 hours in most cases.”

BERYL FORD COLLECTION/ROTARY CLUB OF TULSA, TULSA CITY-COUNTY LIBRARY, AND TULSA HISTORICAL SOCIETY AND MUSEUM

A changing mix Energy remains one of the Tulsa area’s most important economic drivers, but the state of Tulsa’s energy continues to evolve. In one of the biggest moves of the past year, Devon Energy completed its merger with WPX Energy, shifting hundreds of jobs to Oklahoma City.

Seng said that with WPX gone, Tulsa no longer has what could be considered a traditional large energy company in the city.

“The remaining companies are some of the original, family-established companies,” he said.

Bartlett said that he knows of multiple smaller companies that had shut down during the worst of COVID, and Unit Corp. filed for bankruptcy.

Unit emerged from the bankruptcy process in September 2020.

Yet some of the losses in traditional forms of energy could be reclaimed with new sources.

Seng said that numerous organizations are actively exploring new types of energy projects as they pursue SDG, or Sustainable Development Goals.

“Companies in this town are aware the energy transition is happening, and entities are going from talking about what that transition might look like to starting to invest in new energy sources,” he said.

Last year, the state of Oklahoma formed the Hydrogen Production, Transportation and Infrastructure Task Force, which works to research and report on the potential for Oklahoma to produce and/or market hydrogen as a fuel source. One of the ways to create hydrogen is to harness natural gas.

McAnnally said ONE Gas is actively working with the task force.

“This is a longer-term solution,” he said. “We want to see how hydrogen might blend into the system and serve as a stand-alone fuel in the future.” tulsacouncil.org

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Real Estate

By Trey Hopkins, McGraw Realtors; with support from Curt Roberts, Julie Buxton and Gannon Brown of McGraw Realtors

Retail When COVID-19 forced shutdowns around the world, many saw this as the death knell to a brick-and-mortar retail sector that was already losing ground to e-commerce pre-pandemic. To be sure, bank and retail pharmacy sites have remained largely dormant in 2021 with the massive shift to online banking and prescription services.

The high occupancy rate has meant a slowdown in leasing activity in the sector with retail leasing activity falling, “15% compared to the five-year average in Tulsa,” which is significantly better than the national average decline of around 36%. Construction through the third quarter has slowed, with most new construction coming in the form of build-to-suit retail and restaurant projects.

However, Tulsa’s retail market overall is doing relatively well, with a 95% occupancy rate and retail sales on the rise. According to CoStar data, once the initial shock of the pandemic began to fade, retail sales have rebounded and are trending above pre-pandemic levels.

Curt Roberts with McGraw Realtors keyed in on this trend as being a significant departure from past market trends as new construction favors smaller, build-to-suit pad sites over big box stores — the latter seeing new construction remain dormant in the wake of the pandemic.

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Roberts also noted that vacancy in big box retail space has been filled by the burgeoning medical marijuana industry and its need for large, open space for its operations.

The CoStar market report noted that, “Prior to the recession, investment activity accelerated, and annual volume averaged close to $250 million over the past five years.” Though one would expect the prolonged pandemic and recession to cool investment, the report continues, “Despite deteriorating conditions in the retail segment, Tulsa logged the best year for investment on record at $326 million.”

CONTINUED ON P. 80

McGraw Realtors®

A group of the 700-member McGraw team in Tulsa includes, left to right, Bob Haywood, Scott Crow, Chris Swift, Debbie Schreppel, Lindsey Schlomann, Holli Woodward, Rachel Hicks, Curt Roberts, Kathy Stacy, Anita Hurd, Heidi Williams, Jeremy Brittenham, Jennifer Richard, Amy Bors, and Bill McCollough, President/CEO.

McGraw REALTORS® has been serving Tulsa and northeastern Oklahoma real estate needs since 1938. What started as an independent residential real estate company helping Tulsans find a place to call home has become the state’s largest independent real estate company with 20 offices across Oklahoma, Arkansas and now Colorado!

We are a truly full service brokerage, and are able to meet any and every real estate need.

Residential real estate With over 700 active residential agents, we are still dedicated to helping current and future Tulsans find a place to call home. We want to make real estate simple for our clients so they can have confidence during one of the largest transactions they will make in life. Our years of experience, innovative technology, and our collaborative network of industry professionals that know and love this city help us take the complexity out of the entire process. Visit mcgrawrealtors.com.

Relocation services Through our Relocation Services division, McGraw REALTORS® can take the headache out of relocating in or out of the Tulsa metro area. Our

Relocation Services division can help you make your corporate transition smooth whether you are moving into the city or to a new region. With McGraw REALTORS® network of agents in Tulsa and connections to firms across the country, we can connect your company and employees with the right agent no matter your destination. Visit mcgrawrealtors.com/relocation.

Residential property management and leasing Through our Residential Property Management division, we have spent years serving property owners and investors by finding the right tenants for their investment properties. With more than 991 units under management our team handles the leasing process and daily maintenance tasks associated with owning investment property. We also are able to serve renters, for whom an apartment may not be suitable but aren’t in a position to buy a home, by connecting them with great property owners. Visit mcgrawpropertymanagement.com.

Commercial real estate Since 2008, McGraw Commercial Properties has been helping commercial real estate investors,

corporations and business owners buy and sell their properties. From the large, industrial manufacturing plant to a start-up’s first storefront space, our expert team of commercial real estate agents has the knowledge and experience to remove the headache from your company’s next move. Visit mcgrawcp.com.

Multifamily Team and Winfield Property Management For investors in the multifamily sector, McGraw’s Multifamily Team together with Winfield Property Management offers a one-stop shop for buying, selling and managing assets. The Multifamily Team has helped investors across the region increase their holdings, and provided immediate access to the top-rate services of Winfield Property Management, a Tulsa-based property management company that merged with McGraw REALTORS® in 2019.

Winfield has been serving multifamily investors and their tenants with dedication and excellence for over 15 years, and currently has 4,041 units under management. Together, the Multifamily Team and Winfield Property Management are able to assist investors from beginning to end of the multifamily investing process. Visit winfieldliving.com. tulsacouncil.org

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Office

Industrial

Multifamily

The market segment with the greatest disruption since the start of the pandemic has undoubtedly been the office sector. In one sense, Tulsa’s office leasing is a mixed bag with vacancy rates downtown hovering around 20% while suburban office buildings are filled and experiencing increased demand. The meteoric rise in work from home has remained prevalent throughout 2021 and the 12-month net absorption in square footage is over 614,000, according to data from CoStar.

One of the brightest spots in the Tulsa commercial market is the industrial sector, which has done the best of all, boasting just a 3.4% vacancy rate — an all-time low. In fact, 2021 saw a rent rate increase of 6%, likely the byproduct of two key factors: the growth of the medical marijuana industry and the supply chain crisis making new construction of industrial facilities relatively unfeasible. The rise of the medical marijuana industry has created a need for often overlooked and underused warehouse space.

The multifamily sector has seen its share of ups and downs since the onset of the pandemic but moves into 2022 on a relatively high note.

Though initially staggered by the eviction pause in 2020, new and newer complexes are still maintaining an extremely low vacancy rate that looks to remain stable with relatively little new construction taking place. Rent has also seen a marketed increase of 3.4% throughout 2021 with effective rent up 10%, the highest rate of growth coming from this last quarter.

However, Roberts has observed a sharp increase in the demand for smaller spaces in Tulsa’s suburban areas. “A new, two-story building is filled months before construction is completed while high-rise complexes are feeling the full weight of the shift in modern work culture,” Roberts said.

The downturn in energy also has been a driving force in the high vacancy rate, with WPX’s merger with Devon Energy and the subsequent headquarters move to Oklahoma City. The CoStar market report strikes a more positive note, observing the “relatively stable” health care and education industries helping keep the Tulsa economy in check when energy is more volatile.

Coupled with the recent investments that companies like Amazon, Whirlpool and Sofidel have made in the Tulsa market, the industrial sector is experiencing a sort of renaissance in Tulsa. CoStar’s market report notes, “Investment activity in Tulsa for industrial assets has continued to rise year-over-year since 2018,” with the momentum continuing through 2021. Warehouse and distribution facilities aimed at serving the broader region have played a major role in this investment.

The medical marijuana boom has benefitted the industrial and retail real estate sectors.

As CoStar notes, “Healthy leasing and rent appreciation have attracted investors to Tulsa,” which has allowed the sector to remain resilient, “enticing greater sales activity in 2021 as the economic recovery continues.”

Looking ahead Speaking to his observations of the Tulsa Commercial real estate market’s trajectory in 2022, Curt Roberts said, “Overall, Tulsa has a lot to be optimistic about. The greatest concern is the high vacancy rate in the downtown office space, and we will have to wait to see how everything settles as we move further into a post-COVID-19 world. South Tulsa is still growing, and the population growth in Broken Arrow is still creating opportunities for investment and growth.”

Residential real estate

Driving this sustained growth in the residential real estate market is the continued low supply of new construction homes, historically low interest rates, and the fact that Tulsa continues to offer affordability with a growing number of big city amenities that are attractive to out-ofstate buyers.

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GREG BOLLINGER

For all the uncertainty and chaos wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic, the residential real estate market has thrived in Tulsa. Gannon Brown with McGraw Realtors noted, “Most predictions I’ve seen for 2022 have Tulsa maintaining much of the momentum we have had going on two years now.”

FIND THE RIGHT PROPERTY | NEGOTIATE THE DEAL | MANAGE YOUR PROPERTY MULTIFAMILY | OFFICE | RETAIL & RESTAURANT | INDUSTRIAL | LAND | PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

4105 S. Rockford Avenue | Tulsa, OK 74105 | (918) 388-9588 | mcgrawcp.com

Waterstone Mortgage The purchase of a home is often the largest investment a person or family will make in their lifetime. The team at Waterstone Mortgage works to deliver the best mortgage experience possible, guiding customers and offering resources to determine which of the company’s unique mortgage programs is the best fit.

“Housing will remain strong in 2022 with demand slightly softer due to a rise in interest rates, but still robust,” said Kerrick Draper, Waterstone’s Tulsa Branch Manager. “The forecast for the year is for mid to high single-digit appreciation, still providing a great wealth creation opportunity for real estate buyers.”

Waterstone Mortgage was named to Scotsman Guide’s “Top Mortgage Lenders” list for loan volume in 2020. It was the fifth consecutive year the company made the prestigious list. More than 17,200 individuals and families financed the purchase of their dream home, reduced their mortgage payment, or cashed-out some equity to consolidate debt with Waterstone in 2021.

“When it comes to stability, program variety, and timely closings, we have all the tools home

Sitting left to right: Briza Turrubiartes, Kerrick Draper, Roberto Arellanes Standing left to right: Joey Scott, Ronda Perkins, Valdemar Sanchez, Dora Quinones, Patty Chumbley, Mike David, Teresa Eisenman, April Wright, Jessica David, Tanya Dickinson, Meg Godwin Not pictured: Kendall Basore, Kim Atzbach

buyers need to achieve their dream of home ownership,” said Draper. “Mortgage loans are not a one size-fits-all. We offer a wide variety of loan products, along with a skilled and professional staff which assures we excel at matching clients with the right loan program.

We are local experts delivering a better experience.”

Waterstone Mortgage is located at 5705 E. 71st Street, Suite 100, in Tulsa. Call 918-236-2951 or visit Waterstone-Tulsa.com. tulsacouncil.org

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Commercial Construction

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

Tulsa’s skyline has seen the addition of several new high-rise office buildings and apartments.

The OKPOP Museum and the USA BMX headquarters also have signaled growth for the region along with major transportation projects like the I-44/Highway 75 interchange.

Right now, most contractors have a substantial backlog of work to begin 2022. In addition, several have reported an unusually large number of project interviews going into the new year. These indicators signal the commercial construction industry is poised to continue its upward trajectory leading regional contractors to remain cautiously optimistic about the near term.

Several other factors are also contributing to this bullish outlook.

First, the federal government’s infusion of trillions of dollars into the economy and the recent approval of the bipartisan infrastructure bill means more work for contractors of every stripe. Roads, bridges, water and wastewater projects now have a multi-year funding stream thanks to the new legislation.

The State of Oklahoma will undoubtedly use a substantial amount of the infrastructure money headed its way to improve highways and other basic government services.

From yet another funding source, the Department of Veterans Affairs broke ground in October 2021 on a $130 million hospital in downtown Tulsa in partnership with the Anne and Henry Zarrow Foundation, the State and the City of Tulsa.

Locally, school and municipal bond issues continue to receive broad support from taxpayers ensuring new facilities will be built in communities across the region.

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growth of several tribal governments. The Cherokee, Muscogee and Osage nations have seen an influx of gaming revenue and federal funding in recent years. Each of these tribes is investing heavily in health care facilities, casinos, community centers and more.

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought great opportunities to the construction industry, and the essential nature of the work has insulated it from lockdowns and other effects felt by many businesses. However, even the best of times come with hurdles.

The area’s private sector remains strong.

Downtown Tulsa is eagerly anticipating a $73 million mixed-use development featuring the area’s first grocery store in over 20 years.

Preliminary plans also include an apartment structure, hotel, retail and parking.

The two biggest concerns both now and into the future are supply chain interruptions and workforce shortages.

Getting construction materials delivered on time has been problematic in recent months. Adding to this concern are inflationary pressures raising costs for those items. In December 2021, Associated Builders and Contractors analyzed Producer Price Index data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and reported input prices are up 23.5% from the prior year and nonresidential construction input prices rose 24.5% over the same period.

Outside of Tulsa, MidAmerica Industrial Park has been a boon for the construction industry with the expansion of Google. Most recently, Canoo announced plans for a $400 million electric car plant.

Back in Tulsa, another major mixed-use development, NOMA (North of Market) was announced this past year. This $60 million project will feature luxury apartments, restaurants, retail and a neighborhood gathering space.

Finally, American Airlines is already underway on over $550 million in improvements to its maintenance facility. Those projects will continue for another six years.

Right now, clients are paying the higher costs and they’re generally patient with the slowdown.

However, the uncertainty surrounding this major concern creates a troubling situation for contractors. The most likely effect will be thinner profit margins for construction companies.

The second major issue facing the industry is the shortage of skilled tradesmen, superintendents, estimators and project managers. Nationwide, the construction industry has over 400,000 open positions.

NOMA (North of Market) is a $60 million project on Route 66.

RENDERING COURTESY CITY OF TULSA; HANKINS: GREG BOLLINGER

The construction industry is essential.

Throughout the pandemic, construction never locked down. Although there was a temporary slowdown in mid-2020, contractors kept building and their employees benefitted from increased demand for infrastructure, maintenance and new facilities over the past two years.

High Tech

By Jim Sluss, Ph.D., interim president, University of Oklahoma – Tulsa

The nature of work is changing as new technologies and automation are continually introduced into the workplace, necessitating an educated workforce that has the skills, training and adaptability for learning to meet the needs of high-tech job creators. With significant foresight, leaders from the business, government, nonprofit and higher education communities joined forces many years ago to respond and, as a result, regional access to higher education, particularly in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) programs, has never been better.

The Tulsa Regional STEM Alliance works to grow the pipeline of preK-12 students that are academically ready to pursue higher education, whether at the college level or with a focus toward a skilled high-tech trade. High school graduates living in Tulsa County are eligible to receive 100% funding for tuition and fees to attend Tulsa Community College (TCC) through the Tulsa Achieves scholarship program, making TCC an ideal starting point for collegebound students. The Tulsa Higher Education Consortium, with generous support from the Schusterman Family Philanthropies, brings TCC together with six area universities to improve transfer student success for those moving on to pursue bachelor’s degrees. Coupled with a broad offering of STEM-focused master’s and doctoral research degree programs, this nextgeneration workforce can meet the needs of current and future job creators.

with industry, government and nonprofit organizations. For example, as a founding partner, GKFF recently committed an initial $50 million to establish Tulsa Innovation Labs (TIL) to bring strategic focus to Tulsa’s economic development activities in the hightech domain. The University of Tulsa (TU), which has long been at the forefront of research and education in cyber security, recently partnered with TIL to establish the Cyber Innovation Institute at the TU School of Cyber Studies. To create a pipeline of qualified students, TIL partnered with TCC to establish the Cyber Analytics and 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 and big data analytics, as well as testing the susceptibility of medical devices to interference from wireless networks.

The 21st century innovation environment is exemplified by disruption, the acceleration of technology development, and easy access to information on a global scale. Tulsa is prepared for this environment and tomorrow’s high-tech researchers and innovators — engineers, scientists, technologists and health care professionals — can be found today in the classrooms and laboratories of Tulsa’s comprehensive research universities, regional universities, community colleges, technology centers, and primary and secondary schools.

Jennifer Hankins works for Tulsa Innovation Labs, an organization to bring strategic focus to Tulsa’s economic development activities in the high-tech domain.

To retain this talent, the Tulsa Regional Chamber, the City of Tulsa and the George Kaiser Family Foundation (GKFF) have launched Campus Tulsa, a new initiative to encourage college graduates to begin their careers in the Tulsa region 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, health and biosciences, advanced materials, energy technology and data analytics.

This research is being conducted within our comprehensive universities in partnership

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Cherokee Nation Businesses Tulsa and the Cherokee Nation have been neighbors since the day the city was founded, and a prosperous relationship has grown across historical boundaries.

Tulsans never have to travel far to see the $2.16 billion economic impact of the Cherokee Nation on Oklahoma. From Head Start centers and health care facilities — including the only tribally affiliated medical school, the OSU College of Osteopathic Medicine at the Cherokee Nation, ever built on tribally owned land — to new water lines and road improvements, Cherokee Nation constantly works to create opportunities for families and communities in Tulsa and northeast Oklahoma.

The economic engine driving those opportunities is one of Tulsa’s largest employers: Cherokee Nation Businesses (CNB). We have more than 2,000 CNB

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employees who live and work in the Tulsa metro area, comprising more than one-third of our company’s worldwide workforce.

CNB started in manufacturing, and like many successful Native-owned companies, we expanded to gaming and hospitality. To bring more opportunity home to Oklahoma, we diversified to do business around the world. Today, CNB earns annual revenue of more than $1 billion. But more importantly, we’re a company that always will remember the communities that helped us get to where we are today. In Tulsa, CNB’s Community Impact Teams consistently find new opportunities to serve those in need.

The team has performed thousands of hours of volunteer work at respected organizations like Iron Gate, Junior Achievement and the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma.

Our businesses focus on three core areas: gaming and hospitality, federal contracting and tourism and economic development.

Gaming and Hospitality CNB helped pioneer Oklahoma’s gaming industry. Through more than three decades in gaming operations, we have achieved success by doing business the right way — by honoring partnerships, thoughtful planning and following through with our commitments.

Our first gaming facility opened in Roland, Oklahoma, on Nov. 9, 1990. Starting with 64 employees, it has since grown to more than 500, and from 18,000 square feet to more than 320,000. Our hospitality division now operates 10 gaming properties in Oklahoma, including Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa, and is expanding into the national gaming market with Legends Resort & Casino Arkansas.

Each property demonstrates our commitment to the guest experience. We offer something for everyone at our award-winning concert venues, golf courses, fine dining, modern amenities, iconic music memorabilia and fun table and e-games. We partner with leading brands to create memorable experiences for more than 7 million guests who walk through our casino doors each year. Behind the scenes, you will find state-of-the-art surveillance and security to protect the safety of all who walk through our doors.

Federal Contracting Cherokee Federal, the federal contracting division of CNB, is a team of more than 30 tribally owned business entities with expertise across dozens of industries. We manage nearly 2,000 projects and support more than 60 federal agencies — from health science and humanitarian efforts to information technology and mission support.

Our employees have the technical skills and drive to build next-generation technologies, solve complex challenges, and serve federal clients around the globe. Since 2012, Cherokee Federal has been awarded more than $8 billion in government contracts and completed nearly 6,000 federal missions.

So, how do these contracts help our country?

In short, we provide rapid response support to our federal customers — helping them

solve some of the nation’s most difficult challenges in recent history. The U.S. military counts on us for facility support, logistics and security. Through our state-of-the-art clinical research, we help protect soldiers’ health against infectious diseases, such as Zika, malaria, dengue fever and COVID-19.

We build base infrastructure that can thwart bombings and other terrorist attacks, and we facilitate American diplomacy through support services and staffing at consulates and embassies. Whatever the project, you will find Cherokee Federal’s commitment to performance and service at its core.

Cultural and Economic Development The importance of preserving local culture and developing local economies simply cannot be overstated. That’s why CNB actively promotes cultural and economic development through a variety of programs and initiatives in each community we serve.

Our tourism organization, Visit Cherokee Nation, provides visitors with opportunities to enjoy the many cultural touchstones and historically significant places of our tribe. We operate the Cherokee National History Museum in Tahlequah, featuring a collection of Smithsonian-quality artifacts, as well as five other museums. Our website, visitcherokeenation.com, shares excellent resources with guests who want to plan their next trip.

The Cherokee Nation Film Office is increasing the presence of Native Americans in every level of the film and television industries. Our Emmy-award winning TV show, “Osiyo: Voices of the Cherokee People,” is now in its seventh season and has shared more than 250 short documentaries on the Cherokee Nation and its citizens. You can watch this show free of charge at osiyo.tv, RSU-TV and OETA. CNB has a proven track record when it comes to attracting economic development to the area. We provided financial incentives and administrative support to help Macy’s build a $170 million fulfillment center in Owasso. We also helped bring Italian paper company Sofidel to Inola, generating 300 jobs. Such partnerships highlight our ability to ignite positive cultural and economic change through effective communication and recruitment.

Looking to the Future Tulsa’s diverse and skilled workforce has played a major role in the success of Cherokee Nation Businesses. On our current trajectory of growth, we know we will be hiring in Tulsa for years to come. CNB is proud of this city for its many successes over the past decade, and we look forward to doing our part to help Tulsans achieve their vision in 2022.

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Workforce Development

By Rachel Hutchings, Executive Director, Green Country Workforce

As COVID-19 and related variants continue to create uncertainty, employers are desperately seeking a qualified workforce. The unemployment rate in our region is currently at a pre-pandemic level of 2.7% (as of December 2021). Meanwhile, the labor force participation rate, the percentage of adults who have a job or are actively looking, is at an historic low of 60.4%. Taken together, the percentages demonstrate a need for creative solutions in recruiting and retaining workforce.

Much has been written about where the people are and why they are not working. For some, lingering concerns regarding caring for immunocompromised or elderly populations

keep them at home. There is a lack of qualified child care. Employers’ automated applicant tracking systems miss transferrable skills.

And some workers realize that quality of life improved with lower commutes and flexible schedules. Further research will reveal even more reasons with time.

Employers recruiting in today’s environment will not be able to combat every factor. However, while time will ease the pressures of the market, there are a few improvements that can be made in recruiting and retention. Hiring non-traditional workers and innovations in employee autonomy are two ways employers can do this.

Non-traditional workers While the low unemployment rate suggests people who want to work can, people who are justice involved, people with disabilities and immigrants are not integrated into the workforce to their fullest potential. Each are disproportionately left out entirely or are underemployed. According to a 2019 University of Tulsa study, 8.2% of the state’s population was in prison or on probation. Also in 2019, Oklahoma Policy Institute reported this population’s unemployed rate was five times higher than the average Oklahoman.

Over 15% of Oklahomans cite having a disability according to the Oklahoma Department of

TULSA MSA LABOR FORCE YEAR

L ABOR FORCE

U N E M P L OY M E N T R AT E %

2002

446,280

4.8

2003

440,609

5.8

2004

438,238

4.8

2005

444,388

4.2

2006

442,957

3.8

2007

437,870

3.8

2008

440,385

3.6

2009

442,733

7.0

2010

462,165

7.0

2011

457,372

5.9

2012

464,519

5.2

2013

466,126

5.1

2014

465,860

4.3

2015

474,611

4.3

2016

475,396

4.8

2017

476,342

4.2

2018

479,569

3.3

2019

483,582

3.1

2020

481,838

6.4

2021

483,279

3.8

1

DATA BASED ON THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF THE YEAR. SOURCES: U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS; RESEARCH WIZARD, TULSA CITY-COUNTY LIBRARY. 1

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Rehabilitation Services. A 2018 report released

by RespectAbility reported that Oklahoma’s disability employment rate was 37.6%. Finally, the American Immigration Council recently reported that “6% of Oklahoma residents are immigrants, while another 6% of residents are native-born U.S. citizens with at least one immigrant parent.” This same report said most immigrants are employed in farming, grounds cleaning or construction. This suggests that while immigrants are working and contributing to our economy at high rates, many are underemployed or lack credentials recognized in the U.S. Although each of these populations are often skilled and willing to work, there is a perceived “risk” in hiring them; and employers are often unaware of the barriers their own recruiting, screening and onboarding processes can create.

Full-length studies on societal pressures and systemic barriers these populations face in education and employment exist. Significant documentation highlights changes needed to be made at all levels of government and communities to alleviate root issues for each population. One simple thing an employer can do is realize there are services available to help them find solutions. There are a multitude of organizations that can provide assistance, guidance and monetary incentives.

Employers can tap into resources and work with organizations like Green Country Workforce to better accommodate these populations with inclusive job descriptions, paid intern programs and increasing retention and engagement through a continued commitment to understand the needs of employees.

Autonomy in work environment Commonly called “flexibility,” autonomy in a workplace means employees feel they have some control in their environment and the decisions that impact them. Before the pandemic, a common employee complaint was that their employer did not take their suggestions to improve the work environment.

Allowing employees to be heard and reflecting

M A JOR PRIVATE COMPANIES IN TULSA MSA C O M PA N Y N A M E

E S T I M AT E D S A L E S

Cherokee Nation Businesses, LLC

$1,183,263,148

Quiktrip Corporation

$951,362,484

McGraw Davisson Stewart, Inc.

$800,000,000

Flintco, LLC

$701,866,401

Manhattan Construction Company

$581,241,436

T. D. Williamson, Inc.

$526,095,994

Community Care HMO, Inc.

$500,000,000

The Nordam Group, LLC

$481,783,378

Reasor's, LLC

$407,708,708

United States Beef Corporation

$374,018,991

Kruger Family Industries, LLC

$343,123,976

The Bama Companies, Inc.

$315,540,753

John Christner Trucking, LLC

$308,139,905

Blackhawk Industrial Distribution, Inc.

$288,413,561

John Zink Company, LLC

$273,401,982

Samson Resources Corporation

$266,178,348

The Crosby Group, LLC

$263,729,275

Latshaw Drilling & Exploration Company

$235,251,533

Muscogee Creek Nation

$224,115,261

Case & Associates Properties, Inc.

$171,598,045

Zeeco, Inc.

$166,570,607

Mill Creek Lumber & Supply Company, Inc.

$163,458,484

Mazzio's, LLC

$162,988,772

Gbk Corporation

$160,904,911

Accurus Aerospace Corporation

$153,426,178

IN DOLLARS. GEOGRAPHICAL AREA: TULSA METROPOLITAN STATISTICAL AREA. SOURCE: DUN & BRADSTREET, 2021.

COMPILED BY RESEARCH WIZARD, TULSA CITY-COUNTY LIBRARY.

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that in changes to policies demonstrate they are valued. By providing autonomy, employees feel trusted and their personal growth and wellness are important priorities. Employers can establish principles, recognize competence and understand that employees do need some interaction while also providing tools to work remotely if possible.

Employees want to challenge the status quo, fix big problems and be a part of solutions. They want this so much that they are placing work environment above or equal to pay and benefits.

Of course, there is a balance when considering working styles, productivity and company culture. And every position cannot be worked virtually or on a flexible schedule. However, there are opportunities for employers to demonstrate trust, flexibility and appreciation no matter the industry or type of work being performed.

MAJOR PUBLIC COMPANIES HEADQUARTERED IN TULSA MSA C O M PA N Y N A M E

E S T I M AT E D S A L E S

Oneok, Inc.

$8,542,242,000

The Williams Companies, Inc.

$7,719,000,000

NGL Energy Partners, L.P.

$5,227,023,000

Magellan Midstream Partners, L.P.

$2,427,802,000

Wpx Energy, Inc.

$2,292,000,000

Bok Financial Corporation

$2,112,949,000

Helmerich & Payne, Inc.

$1,773,927,000

One Gas, Inc.

$1,530,268,000

Alliance Resource Partners, L.P.

$1,328,129,000

Public Service Company Of Oklahoma

$1,266,100,000

Matrix Service Company

$1,100,938,000

Laredo Petroleum, Inc.

$677,192,000

Aaon, Inc.

$514,551,000

Webco Industries, Inc.

$434,085,193

Navico, Inc.

$291,072,639

Cypress Environmental Partners, L.P.

$205,996,000

Educational Development Corporation

$204,635,100

Unit Corporation

$133,528,000

Blueknight Energy Partners, L.P.

$110,245,000

Greystone Logistics, Inc.

$76,204,608

Limco-Piedmont, Inc.

$69,696,017

Osage Bancshares, Inc.

$9,626,443

Empire Petroleum Corporation

$7,727,834

Totally Green, Inc.

$2,425,050

IN DOLLARS. GEOGRAPHICAL AREA: TULSA METROPOLITAN STATISTICAL AREA SOURCE: DUN & BRADSTREET, 2021 COMPILED BY RESEARCH WIZARD, TULSA CITY-COUNTY LIBRARY

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To compete in today’s market, employers will need to evaluate how they are recruiting and consider new groups of potential workers who could be game-changers and dedicated employees. Once recruited, workers will need to find an environment that demonstrates trust and values their input to stay.

Bob Stuart, Jr. and Doug Stuart are grandsons of business founder Joe Young.

JD Young “It’s hard for us to believe that nearly 70 years have passed since Joe Young first opened the doors of JD Young in Tulsa,” says Bob Stuart, CEO, and co-owner with Doug Stuart, Patty Stuart, and Deni Stuart. “Who could have known over 70 years later that his vision of serving Oklahoma’s business community would still be alive and thriving as it is today.”

Today, JD Young succeeds by adapting and evolving with the times, and staying on top of the ever-changing document management industry and needs of clients. “Companies all over the state contact us for direction and ideas on how to be more efficient in their workflow practices,” says Stuart. “We are skilled at offering the best products and services to our customers, and

backing-up our sales with excellent maintenance by our highly-skilled service teams.”

JD Young’s mission is to help businesses better manage the flow of information and data through a more efficient usage of printing devices, software solutions and advanced IT technology. “Specifically, we are skilled in providing information-handling processes that increase performance and reduce the cost of input, output and management,” noted Stuart.

“It’s all about creating a document strategy for a business to identify how the company is managing its paper files. The strategy is a needed step toward managing documents more efficiently as a means of increasing profitability.”

The Stuart family realizes establishing and maintaining strong relationships with clients is the key to JD Young’s sustained success over seven decades. “Our company’s guiding light from day one has been doing the right thing for customers…our business partners,” Stuart notes. “We count our blessings every day that we have a strong and growing base of customers and excellent employees to serve them.”

116 W. Third St. | 918-582-9955 jdyoung.com

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City Government

By City of Tulsa staff

The City of Tulsa serves 401,352 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.

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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, while the City Council and City Auditor are responsible for financial oversight and governance. In effect, the City Council and City Auditor act as governance board members.

The City’s Authorities, Boards and Commissions (ABCs) 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 June 2018 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 September 2018 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 are also broadcast via Facebook Live.

Workforce profile The City is one of the largest employers in our community, with 3,557 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. A 2017 report by the City Auditor found that a quarter of our workforce (and rapidly growing) are Millennials, who most value flexibility, meaningful work and advancement opportunities.

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 526 signalized intersections • L ake Yahola, Unruh Reservoir, Lake Spavinaw, Lake Eucha and associated dam and transmission infrastructure

• M ohawk and A.B. Jewell water treatment plants, with the capacity to treat 220 million gallons of raw water per day, to be distributed through 2,350 miles of water lines • 1,960 miles of underground sewer lines and 62 lift stations, moving wastewater to the Northside, Southside, Haikey Creek and Lower Bird Creek treatment plants • 121 stormwater detention facilities and 64 miles of improved drainage channels • 135 parks covering 8,278 acres, including 186 sports fields and 88 playgrounds • 10 major police facilities, 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

ORG ANIZ ATIONAL STRUCTURE OVERVIEW ENTITY

MAJOR RESPONSIBILIT Y

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)

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

City Department (directors hired by Mayor)

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.

• Tulsa Zoo and Living Museum

Customers and stakeholders

• Cox Business Convention Center

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.

• BOK Arena, designed by Cesar Pelli • Tulsa International Airport and Air Force Plant No. 3.

The City owns a fleet of 2,519 on-road vehicles, 1,406 pieces of off-road equipment and 112 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.

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.

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Economic Profile TULSA ECONOMIC INDICATORS P E R S O N A L I N C O M E 1 ( THOUSANDS OF DOLL ARS)

2009

2 0 10

2 0 11

2 0 12

2 0 13

Tulsa MSA/Current

37,761,510

39,579,578

44,246,003

49,251,724

54,445,729

Tulsa MSA/Real

43,207,289

44,049,251

47,814,438

52,411,895

56,873,786

Tulsa County/Current

27,364,439

28,832,963

32,885,748

37,365,729

42,221,275

Tulsa County/In 2020 inflation-adjusted dollars

32,735,292

33,921,960

37,401,676

41,616,620

46,302,970

Total labor force (thousands)

442.7

462.2

457.4

464.5

466.1

Wage & salary employment (thousands)

420.6

413.6

415.5

425.3

432.4

7.0

7.0

5.9

5.2

5.1

Single-family units

372

340

320

420

429

Multifamily units

344

73

695

744

78

3.25

3.25

3.25

3.25

3.25

2,812,295

2,763,562

2,707,668

2,654,189

2,647,889

58,975

54,675

55,743

56,372

58,148

2,058,191

2,266,893

2,160,624

2,702,464

2,700,990

214.537

218.056

224.939

229.594

232.957

Tulsa MSA/Current

40,652,495

41,626,981

45,383,601

48,085,420

49,818,752

Tulsa MSA/Real

43,986,924

43,360,892

45,638,971

48,085,420

48,621,446

87.579

90.063

92.768

94.214

95.929

L ABOR MARKET / TULSA MSA

Unemployment rate (percent)

CONSTRUCTION / CIT Y OF TULSA

FINANCE (PERCENT )

U.S. Average Bank Prime Rate

T R A N S P O R TAT I O N

Air passengers Air freight (tons) Barge tonnage(tons)/Port of Catoosa

C O N S U M E R P R I C E I N D E X - A L L U R B A N C O N S U M E R S / U. S .

(1982-1984=100) (points)

GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT

2 ( THOUSANDS OF DOLL ARS)

I M P L I C I T R E G I O N A L P R I C E D E F L AT O R ( I R P D) / T U L S A M S A

(IRPD reference is U.S. in 2012 = 100)

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 CITY COUNCIL; RESEARCH WIZARD, TULSA CITY-COUNTY LIBRARY.

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2 0 14

2 0 15

2 0 16

2 0 17

2 0 18

2 0 19

2020

58,542,137

53,886,446

47,980,183

51,352,395

55,019,543

56,642,619

58,442,829

60,108,758

55,362,787

48,715,693

51,744,831

55,281,537

56,228,563

56,784,790

45,697,501

40,904,886

34,981,746

37,948,082

41,075,846

42,028,053

43,084,636

49,282,509

44,191,538

37,379,138

39,735,248

42,074,580

42,433,204

43,084,636

465.9

474.6

475.4

476.3

479.6

483.6

481.8

440.3

447.7

446.0

448.2

456.4

462.3

437.2

4.3

4.3

4.8

4.2

3.3

3.1

6.4

382

349

432

389

440

475

462

902

611

584

313

452

584

411

3.25

3.26

3.51

4.10

4.91

5.28

3.54

2,759,468

2,739,429

2,727,913

2,865,824

3,048,357

3,053,528

1,332,433

58,627

59,857

53,612

58,602

65,818

64,685

57,562

2,367,127

1,551,807

2,260,837

2,553,990

2,085,113

1,358,592

2,046,262

236.736

237.017

240.007

245.120

251.107

255.657

258.811

54,464,412

53,146,822

50,088,126

53,248,041

57,293,965

58,040,221

53,693,414

52,469,983

53,795,364

50,782,114

52,086,759

53,753,352

54,655,505

51,924,692

97.629

97.61

98.807

99.61

99.879

101.069

103.331

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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

Trey Hopkins, McGraw Realtors

Gannon Brown, McGraw Realtors

Ray Hoyt, Tulsa Regional Tourism

Ken Busby, Route 66 Alliance

Rachel Hutchings, Green Country Workforce

Julie Buxton, McGraw Commercial Properties

Jamie Richert Jones

Dave Rowland, Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance

Connie Cronley

Deborah Laker

Jim Sluss, Ph.D., University of Oklahoma-Tulsa

Laura Dennis

Jonathan Long, Tulsa Regional Chamber

Kristi Eaton

Rhys Martin, Oklahoma Route 66 Association

John Smaligo, Associated Builders and Contractors or Oklahoma

Robert Evatt

Mark McElreah, Tulsa County Medical Society

Barbara Gibson, Indian Nations Council of Governments

Jim Myers Morgan, Tulsa Regional Chamber

Leah Harper, Oklahoma Natural Gas Alexis Higgins, Tulsa International Airport

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Christopher Payne, Union Public Schools Michael Patton, Land Legacy Gary Peluso Verdend, Phillips Theological Seminary, Oklahoma Center for Community and Justice

Viplava Putta, Indian Nations Council of Governments Curt Roberts, McGraw Realtors

Ethan Veenker Julie Wenger Watson Lara Weber, City of Tulsa Wayne Greene, Public Service Company of Oklahoma

Sponsor Index American Waste Control, 37 Bank of America, 68 Bank of Oklahoma, Back Cover Brian Frere Home Team, 2 Central Bank, 67 Cherokee Nation Businesses, 84–85 First Oklahoma Bank, 65 Green Country Appraisal Service Inc, 69 Hillcrest HealthCare System, 45 Holland Hall, 39 JD Young, 89 Langdon Publishing, 96

Osage Casino & Hotel Tulsa, Inside Front Cover, 58 Phillips Theological Seminary, 49 Public Service Company of Oklahoma, 33

Tulsa Zoo, 24 USA BMX, 61 Waterstone Mortgage, 81

River Spirit Casino, 57 Saint Francis Health System, 46–47 Security Bank, 69 Southern Sheet Metal Works, Inc., 75 Tulsa City-County Library, 19 Tulsa Community College, 43 Tulsa Ports, Inside Back Cover Tulsa Technology Center, 1

Luxa Enterprises, 49 McGraw Commercial Properties, 81 McGraw Realtors®, 79 Metro Christian Academy, 40 Monte Cassino, 41 Oklahoma Disaster Restoration, 35 Oklahoma Natural Gas, 35 Oklahoma State University Tulsa, 38

MICHELLE POLLARD

Discovery Lab

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Barry Friedman’s third annual

Ballard

Friends and family pay tribute to those we lost in 2011

2020 DESIGNER SHOWCASE May 2020

Barbecue!

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BUSINESS IN THE TIME OF COVID-19

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