One of the most important ways a rural community can grow is by landing national retail. When you think about it, retail is more than just shopping—it’s about confidence, convenience, and community identity. For towns like Chickasha and communities across Oklahoma, having national retailers locate here tells the world something important: this is a place worth investing in. National brands don’t just show up anywhere. They do research, crunch the numbers, and study the trends. When a chain store puts down roots in a rural town, it’s a stamp of approval that the community is on the move. But it’s not just about bragging rights. National retail helps keep dollars local. If families have to drive 30 or 40 miles to shop, they don’t just spend money there—they eat there, they buy gas there, and they spend their Saturday dollars elsewhere. Landing a national store means capturing more of that spending power at home, which strengthens our tax base, supports our schools, and helps our city services grow. The Placer data we have indicates that when people in our Trade Area come to shop, they go to multiple stores, not just one. There’s also a “halo effect.” Once one retailer comes, others start to notice. Development attracts development. It’s a snowball that can turn into a real win for rural Oklahoma. And let’s not forget the jobs—retail might not solve every workforce challenge, but it creates opportunities for young people, part-timers, and families looking for supplemental income. Most importantly, national retail adds to quality of life. People want choices. They want the convenience of shopping local with the same opportunities they’d find in bigger cities. It makes our community more attractive not only to residents but also to future businesses who are scouting where to expand. That’s why local leaders work hard to recruit and land these retailers. It’s not just about a store—it’s about building momentum for the entire community. And momentum, friends, is what keeps our Community strong. That’s #TheGoodStuff!

When people across the nation talk about the “cost of doing business,” they’re usually talking about the expenses that make or break a company’s decision to grow, invest, or relocate. Everything from energy costs and taxes, to workforce, land, and real estate plays a role. Recently, Oklahoma earned national recognition as having the lowest cost of doing business in the United States —a distinction that carries big implications for our communities, especially right here in Chickasha. This ranking matters because companies are constantly looking for the best place to stretch their dollars. Whether it’s a manufacturer deciding where to expand operations, a tech company considering new offices, or a small business looking for a community to thrive, the bottom line matters. And right now, Oklahoma’s bottom line looks very attractive. For Chickasha, this recognition adds momentum to what we’ve already been seeing. Our Community has been steadily investing in infrastructure, workforce development, and quality-of-life improvements. Combine that with the fact that Oklahoma leads the way in affordability for businesses, and you have a recipe for growth. Businesses can build here with lower costs, and families can enjoy a lower cost of living—making it a win-win. But this isn’t just about dollars and cents. When Oklahoma is spotlighted as the nation’s most business-friendly state from a cost perspective, it means opportunity for our people. It means new jobs, new investment, and a stronger tax base that supports schools, roads, and services. It means young people might find more reasons to stay close to home because opportunities are being created right here. We should be proud of this recognition, but we should also see it as a challenge. Chickasha has the land, the workforce, and the community spirit to take advantage of this moment. One of our biggest strengths is that we work together—city leaders, businesses, schools, and citizens—to make sure Chickasha is at the front of the line when new opportunities come calling! The good news is we’re already moving in the right direction. From industrial park development to small business support, Chickasha is proving it can compete. And now, with Oklahoma recognized nationally as the lowest-cost state to do business, the world is taking notice. That’s not just good news—that’s #TheGoodStuff.