One of the most powerful economic development tools we have in Chickasha isn’t a tax incentive, a highway, or even a new building, It’s Canadian Valley Technology Center. As we continue recruiting companies from California and other high-cost states, one thing becomes crystal clear in every serious conversation: workforce wins deals. Here in Chickasha, we have a competitive advantage that many states, especially California simply do not at our level. Oklahoma’s CareerTech system is one of the strongest in the nation. Canadian Valley Technology Center is not just a school; it is a strategic workforce engine. It prepares high school students, adult learners, and incumbent workers with hands-on, industry-driven training that aligns directly with the needs of manufacturing, industrial, and skilled trade employers. When we sit across the table from a manufacturer considering relocation, they want to know three things: Can I find skilled workers? Can I train them efficiently? Can I grow my workforce without breaking the bank? In Chickasha, the answer to all three is yes! Manufacturing companies in Oklahoma benefit from a CareerTech system that develops welders, machinists, industrial maintenance technicians, electricians, CNC operators, healthcare professionals, and more, right here at home. Students graduate job-ready, with industry certifications and real-world experience. That reduces onboarding time, lowers training costs, and improves productivity from day one. Even more impressive is the on-site training support CareerTech provides to businesses. When a new company opens its doors in Chickasha, Canadian Valley Technology Center can design customized training programs, deploy instructors, and train employees on-site. That is a powerful recruiting tool. Now consider this: the state of California does not have a statewide CareerTech system structured like Oklahoma’s. They do not have the same coordinated, industry-aligned, publicly funded workforce development infrastructure. Companies relocating from California are often stunned when they learn about the level of support available here. I saw this first hand last week when we hosted a site visit from a California company and CVT made a presentation to them. In California, workforce development can be fragmented, expensive, and heavily regulated. In Oklahoma and specifically in Chickasha, it is collaborative, responsive, and built to serve industry. That difference matters. A Lot! It means when we recruit manufacturing operations to the Airport Industrial Park or other development sites, we’re not just offering land and buildings. We’re offering a workforce pipeline, we’re offering a partnership. We’re offering a Community that understands that education and economic development go hand in hand. Canadian Valley Technology Center strengthens our high school students’ career pathways, supports adult learners seeking new opportunities, and provides direct business solutions for employers. That is not just good education policy. That is smart economic strategy. Communities grow when their workforce grows and because Chickasha has Canadian Valley Technology Center in our backyard, we are better positioned to compete, to recruit, and to win. That’s not just economic development… That’s #TheGoodStuff.

One of the best things about Chickasha has always been our people. We smile. We hold doors. We strike up conversations in line at the convenience store or across the table at our favorite local restaurant. It’s just who we are. And right now, that simple kindness matters more than ever. Across the country, companies are looking for places to grow: manufacturing firms, logistics operations, entrepreneurs, and family-owned businesses searching for the right community to call home. And here’s the thing: sometimes they don’t show up in a suit with a name badge that says “Site Selector.” Sometimes they’re the person grabbing coffee next to you. Sometimes they’re eating lunch at your favorite restaurant. Sometimes they’re filling up their tank on the way through town. You never really know who might be visiting Chickasha with big decisions on their mind. That’s why every “hello,” every friendly nod, every “welcome to Chickasha” carries more weight than we might realize. First impressions aren’t made in boardrooms, they’re made in our stores, our restaurants, our shops, and our streets. When visitors see a community that is warm, welcoming, and proud of where it’s headed, it leaves a mark. It tells them this is a place where people care. A place where employees would want to live. A place where a business could put down roots and thrive. We talk a lot about growth, opportunity, and momentum and rightly so. But the secret ingredient has always been us. Our attitude. Our hospitality. Our willingness to make someone feel at home, even if they’re only here for a day. So this week, let’s keep doing what Chickasha does best. Be kind. Be welcoming. Say hello. You just never know when that small moment might play a role in the next big chapter for our community, let’s show them #TheGoodStuff!

If you want real proof that Chickasha is growing, you don’t need a report or a projection, you just need to take a drive. Look at the new rooftops popping up around town. Look at the construction crews at work. Look at the homes being updated, expanded, and reinvested in. Growth is happening, and it’s happening where it matters most: in our neighborhoods. Over the last 36 months, the City of Chickasha has issued 247 permits for remodeling existing homes . That number matters. It tells us that longtime residents believe in Chickasha enough to reinvest in the homes they already own. They’re upgrading kitchens, adding rooms, fixing foundations, and making improvements that say, “We’re here, and we’re staying.” At the same time, the City has issued 351 permits for brand-new homes . That’s not a coincidence…that’s momentum. New home construction signals confidence. Builders don’t put shovels in the ground unless they believe people want to live here. Families don’t buy new homes unless they see opportunity, stability, and a future. Taken together, these numbers tell a powerful story. Chickasha isn’t just maintaining, it’s expanding. We’re growing both outward and inward. We’re welcoming new residents while also supporting those who have called this place home for generations and here’s the best part: we aren’t done . More home builders are actively showing interest in Chickasha. They see what we see, strong schools, growing job opportunities, improving infrastructure, and a community that takes pride in itself. They recognize a city that is investing in quality of life and planning for the long term. Housing growth is one of the clearest indicators of a healthy community. It drives population growth, supports local businesses, strengthens the tax base, and creates the kind of energy that attracts even more investment. Every new home built and every remodel completed reinforces the idea that Chickasha is a place worth believing in. This kind of progress doesn’t happen overnight, and it doesn’t happen by accident. It’s the result of years of steady leadership, smart planning, and a Community that works together to move forward. The numbers don’t lie. The rooftops don’t lie. Chickasha is growing…and the best chapters are still ahead. That’s #TheGoodStuff!

In rural America, government isn’t something distant or abstract. It’s your neighbor. It’s the person you see at the grocery store, at Friday night ballgames, standing in line for coffee on a Saturday morning, or in Church on Sundays. That’s especially true here in Chickasha and it’s why City Council elections matter more than many people realize. City Council members in Communities like ours are not career politicians. They are volunteers. They serve not for headlines or paychecks, but because they care deeply about the place they call home. They raise families here, run businesses here, worship here, and want Chickasha to be stronger tomorrow than it is today. In rural America, City Councils make decisions that directly affect everyday life. Streets and sidewalks. Water and sewer infrastructure. Public safety. Economic development. Parks, events, and quality-of-life investments. These decisions shape whether a community grows, stagnates, or declines. There’s no buffer between policy and people. What’s decided at City Hall is felt almost immediately on Main Street. That’s what makes local elections so important. When you vote in a City Council race, you’re not choosing between abstract platforms. You’re choosing stewards of your tax dollars. You’re choosing voices that will represent your values when difficult decisions must be made. You’re choosing who will sit at the table when opportunities arise and when challenges hit. In Chickasha, we’ve seen firsthand what engaged, committed local leadership can accomplish. Progress doesn’t happen by accident. It happens when citizens are willing to step forward, give their time, listen to their neighbors, and make thoughtful decisions for the greater good. City Council members balance growth with tradition, ambition with responsibility, and optimism with fiscal discipline. It’s also worth remembering the personal cost of service. These volunteers attend long meetings, read thick agendas, field phone calls, and make tough calls, often with limited thanks and plenty of scrutiny. Yet they continue to serve because they believe in Chickasha. They believe rural communities matter., and they believe local leadership is still the most powerful force for positive change. City Council elections are where democracy is most real. They are grassroots in the truest sense. They remind us that the future of rural America isn’t decided in Washington, D.C., t’s decided in town halls, council chambers, and at the ballot box right here at home. When neighbors step up, when citizens engage., and when a Community like Chickasha continues to move forward because people care enough to serve and others care enough to vote…That’s #TheGoodStuff!

After the kind of winter that tests even the hardiest Oklahomans…extreme cold, more than eight inches of snow, and days that felt like they might never warm up, it’s only natural to start dreaming of Spring. We picture longer days, green grass, and the simple joy of sunshine. But Spring isn’t just a change in weather. Spring is about renewal. And here in Chickasha, renewal is already underway. Over the next six weeks, we’ll see tangible signs that a new season has arrived—physically, culturally, and spiritually. First, of course, comes the weather. Warmer temperatures will bring people back outdoors, kids back to parks, and neighbors back onto front porches. There’s something powerful about that first stretch of Spring days when the Community seems to collectively exhale and reengage. It’s a reminder that seasons change and so do circumstances. Spring also ushers in a season of celebration. Memorial Weekend through the July 4th Weekend, Chickasha will once again come alive with the Festival of Freedom. This year, residents and visitors alike can look forward to new events layered into the festival lineup with fresh ideas that honor our past while creating new traditions. As we prepare to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, these events will reflect both patriotism and progress, reminding us why Chickasha is a place people are proud to call home. Renewal is also happening on the local level in meaningful ways. At Drover Hills, the nonprofit continues its mission-driven work with new improvements designed to help kids learn the game of golf. These enhancements aren’t just about facilities; they’re about opportunity. They’re about teaching discipline, confidence, and sportsmanship, skills that extend far beyond the course and into life itself. Change is coming on the state level as well. Later this year, Oklahoma will welcome a new Governor and Lieutenant Governor once elections are finalized. Regardless of politics, transitions like these mark a new chapter, an opportunity for fresh leadership, new perspectives, and renewed focus on the future of our state and communities like Chickasha. And perhaps most importantly, Spring brings the continual renewal of hope. Hope that our community will keep growing. Hope that new families, new businesses, and new ideas will continue to choose Chickasha. Hope that even after difficult seasons, whether caused by weather, uncertainty, or challenge, we move forward stronger and more united than before. Spring is coming. Not just on the calendar, but in spirit. And as Chickasha steps into this new season, let’s embrace the new beginnings around us, appreciate the progress being made, and remain hopeful for what lies ahead. Because if there’s one thing we know for sure, it’s this: the best days for our community are still in front of us and that’s #TheGoodStuff!

One of the most important things we can do as a growing community is pause long enough to recognize the shoulders we are standing on. Chickasha’s momentum today did not happen by accident, and it certainly did not start overnight. Much of our current success can be traced directly back to former city leaders and business visionaries who believed in Chickasha long before growth was guaranteed. For decades, Stan Levine and Bill Miller of the Dixie Department Store represented more than retail. They represented confidence in downtown Chickasha when downtowns were being threatened by strip malls. The Dixie was a gathering place, an anchor, and a statement that local investment mattered. Their commitment helped maintain the heart of our city during times when it would have been easier to look elsewhere. Over 25 years ago, John Mosley was helping lead economic development efforts at a time when the conversation around growth looked very different than it does today. Infrastructure, land availability, and long-term planning were not popular buzzwords yet, but they were already priorities. The groundwork laid during that period positioned Chickasha to take advantage of opportunities that are coming to fruition now. He was a passionate advocate for our Community and devoted much of his time to civic organizations. Jack Brewer also instrumental in shaping modern Chickasha. He played a huge role in bringing Walmart to town at a moment that expanded our retail base, strengthened our trade area, and changed how the region viewed Chickasha as a shopping destination. At the same time, Jack’s leadership in growing KWCO radio ensured that Chickasha’s voice was heard daily across the region. Local radio matters, especially in communities like ours, because it keeps people informed, connected, and proud of where they live. Jack also started the first Cable-Vision here and was very active in the Chickasha Chamber. What all of these leaders shared was belief…a belief in Chickasha’s people, our potential, and our future. They invested when the returns were not obvious. They made decisions with decades in mind, not election cycles or quarterly reports. They stayed local, stayed committed, and stayed optimistic. Today, as we celebrate new development, growing tourism, national retailers, and record-setting events, it is worth remembering that none of this happens in a vacuum. Growth is cumulative. Vision compounds. The confidence shown decades ago is paying dividends now. Because former leaders believed in Chickasha then, others believe in Chickasha today. And because of that belief, past and present, our best chapters are still ahead! That is truly #TheGoodStuff .

A new year always brings fresh energy, renewed optimism, and a chance to look ahead at what’s possible. In Chickasha, that sense of momentum is not wishful thinking—it is grounded in real projects, real investment, and real confidence in our community. As we turn the page on the calendar, here are a few New Year’s predictions for Chickasha that are less about hope and more about inevitability. First, expect to see buildings come out of the ground at the Airport Industrial Park. For decades that property simply grew grass, not jobs but that will change. That is no longer our future. Infrastructure is being put in place, deals are closing, and 2026 will be the year when vertical construction becomes visible. Those buildings will represent jobs, capital investment, and long-term economic stability for Chickasha. Second, Chickasha will make more strides to be the Christmas Town people travel to experience. New Christmas decorations will be added around town, expanding the magic and reinforcing our brand throughout our community and the State. The Festival of Light, the Leg Lamp, and our downtown merchants have proven what seasonal placemaking can do and we are just getting started. Third, mark your calendars for the Festival of Freedom June 6 th through July 4th. Chickasha will host a month long celebration, as we join communities across the country in kicking off America 250 . This will be more than fireworks. It will be a statement about patriotism, pride, and Chickasha’s ability to host signature events that draw people together from across the region. Fourth, tourism will again hit an all-time high. Between Christmas Town, national media exposure, the Fairgrounds, Sports Complex, signature events, and growing word-of-mouth, more visitors than ever before will choose to Visit Chickasha. That means fuller hotels, busier restaurants, stronger retail sales, and more opportunities for local businesses to thrive. Expect to see many international travelers taking a side trip off of Route 66 as they celebrate that Centennial of the Mother Road. Fifth, expect more national retail announcements by this fall. Retailers follow rooftops, traffic counts, and trade-area growth and Chickasha continues to deliver on all three. The conversations are already happening, and additional announcements will further validate what we already know: Chickasha is a market worth investing in. Finally, more new housing announcements are coming. Growth requires places for people to live, and developers are responding. More homes mean more families, more workforce stability, and more long-term community strength. None of these predictions happen by accident. They are the result of vision, collaboration, and a Community that believes in itself. As we start this new year, there is a lot to be thankful for and even more to be excited about and that’s #TheGoodStuff!

As we close the book on 2025, it is worth pausing to reflect on just how much positive momentum Chickasha has experienced over the past year. This has been a defining year, one marked by long-awaited progress, statewide and national recognition, and a shared belief that our best days are not behind us, but directly in front of us. One of the most symbolic moments of 2025 was Chet Hitt closing on land in the Airport Industrial Park that, quite literally, had only grown grass for more than 20 years. For decades, that property represented potential that had yet to be realized. This year, that changed. That closing sent a clear message: Chickasha is no longer waiting for opportunity, we are acting on it. Development in the Industrial Park is no longer a concept or just a plan; it is happening. That momentum was amplified in June when we hosted a major press conference right here in Chickasha with Governor Kevin Stitt. Standing alongside local and state leaders, the Governor made a statement that resonated far beyond our city limits: “Chickasha is the place to be in Oklahoma right now!” Those were not just encouraging words, they were a reflection of the real work being done by the City, the EDC, the Chamber, local businesses, and community partners who are aligned around growth. 2025 also brought visible signs of confidence from the private sector. We celebrated groundbreakings for new national retail chains that have chosen Chickasha for their next locations. These investments mean more sales tax, more jobs, more services, and more reasons for people across our trade area to choose Chickasha as their destination to live, shop, play and do business. Our efforts did not stop at the city limits or even the state line. This year, representatives from the Chickasha EDC, the City, the CVT and local businesses joined Governor Stitt and other State officials on a recruiting trip to California to help attract new manufacturers to Chickasha. That kind of proactive, outward-facing economic development speaks volumes. We are not waiting for companies to find us, we are telling Chickasha’s story, confidently and competitively, on a national stage. And speaking of telling our story, 2025 was a banner year for positive media coverage. Chickasha was featured again and again in news stories highlighting our growth, our creativity, and our community spirit. The crowning moment came on Christmas Eve, when CBS National News showcased Chickasha to millions of viewers across the country. That single story has already been viewed more than 2 million times on Facebook, introducing people everywhere to what we already know: there is something special happening here. Speaking of telling our story, local film maker Reagan Elkins released the Fragile Documentary in November and it is streaming all over the world, answering the questions of why there is a Leg Lamp in Chickasha and will Warner Brothers sue to have it destroyed? All of these moments: land finally being developed, the Governor’s endorsement, new retail growth, national recruiting efforts, and unprecedented media attention are connected by one common thread: BELIEF. Belief in Chickasha. Belief in our people. Belief that when a community works together with purpose, good things follow. As we look ahead to 2026, let’s carry that momentum forward. Let’s remember that #TheGoodStuff doesn’t happen by accident. It happens because a community chooses to invest, collaborate, and believe, and in 2025 Chickasha did exactly that!

Merry Christmas from Christmas Town! As the lights glow a little brighter and the season wraps us in warmth, this is a wonderful moment to pause and appreciate what makes Chickasha so special. From Downtown to Shannon Springs Park, the spirit of Christmas is alive and shining—welcoming families, friends, and visitors from near and far who come to experience the joy that has become part of our Community’s identity. This season, take time to read and watch the many positive stories being shared about Chickasha. The Festival of Light continues to capture national attention, reminding the world what happens when a Community comes together with vision and heart. The Leg Lamp keeps putting smiles on faces and drawing visitors from across the globe, and Fragile: A Christmas Story Documentary is telling our story in a way that celebrates creativity, nostalgia, and the unexpected magic found right here at home. Most importantly, we want to say thank you to the merchants of Chickasha. Whether you run a shop, restaurant, hotel, or service business, you are on the front lines of hospitality every day. You welcome our visitors, take care of our locals, and help turn first-time guests into lifelong fans of Chickasha. Your decorations, friendly smiles, extended hours, and genuine pride in our town do not go unnoticed. As we gather with loved ones this Christmas, let’s continue to share the good news about our community, support our local businesses, and celebrate all the people who make Christmas Town what it is. From all of us to all of you—Merry Christmas, Chickasha, and thank you for being the very best of #TheGoodStuff.