Business Strategy: Fostering growth, building community

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Oklahoma City is in a season of momentum, and some recent major events underscore how economic development and thoughtful planning work hand in hand to build a stronger, more livable city. Across the metro, The Alliance for Economic Development of Oklahoma City staff was engaged with the community and supporting conversations that shape our region’s future.

The week began at the Oklahoma Aerospace Forum, where industry leaders explored how aerospace continues to anchor statewide economic growth. Oklahoma’s investments in critical domestic materials supply chains like minerals processing, metallurgy, and specialty chemistry are helping companies reduce risk and compete globally. These investments translate into new facilities, high-skilled jobs, and research capacity that strengthen the state’s position as a national aerospace hub. Panelists also highlighted why companies choose Oklahoma: strategic incentives, a strong workforce, and a collaborative business environment.

Elsewhere, The Alliance joined Tinker Air Force Base in welcoming Lt. Gen. Jennifer Hammerstedt as the new commander of the Oklahoma City Air Force Sustainment Center, another major driver of OKC’s aerospace ecosystem. With more than 9,000 civilian and military personnel maintaining and modernizing key Air Force and Navy aircraft, the OC-ALC is one of the most important economic engines in the region. Hammerstedt’s extensive experience in logistics, engineering and sustainment underscores the level of expertise guiding this critical installation into its next chapter.

Economic growth, however, is only half the story. A truly thriving city reinvests that momentum into placemaking, infrastructure and quality of life. That’s why The Alliance proudly sponsored the Oklahoma Planning Conference, where planners and community leaders examined how cities can adapt to shifting needs in housing, retail, office space, public amenities and technology. The conversations centered on how Oklahoma City can use its economic gains to create more vibrant public spaces, improve mobility, expand affordable housing options, and strengthen community identity.

Sessions on housing affordability, sustainable infrastructure, public realm design and emerging technologies reflected the realities of planning in a hybrid era. These improvements are not just amenities; they are economic drivers. Livable, well-designed neighborhoods attract employers, support local retail and boost long-term property values. The conference encouraged bold, creative thinking about OKC’s future and highlighted the critical role planning plays in meeting residents’ needs.

Together, these recent events reinforced a simple truth: industry growth fuels economic opportunity, but thoughtful planning turns that opportunity into a city where people want to live, work and stay.

Kenton Tsoodle is the president of The Alliance for Economic Development of Oklahoma City.