One of the best things about living in Chickasha is the pride we take in our Community. Over the last year, we’ve seen tremendous growth—new businesses opening, new opportunities created, and more people discovering what makes our town so special. But here’s the truth: for our local businesses to thrive, they need us. That’s why “Love Where You Live” is more than just a slogan. I love that Rick Johnston’s marquee at 4 th and Minnesota avenue still displays this message. I’m pretty sure it the same logo we created back in 2020 during Covid. It’s a reminder that every time we choose to shop, dine, or do business locally, we’re investing in Chickasha’s future. We’re keeping dollars in our community, creating jobs for our neighbors, and supporting the very people who cheer beside us at Friday night football games or sit next to us at Church. This weekend is a perfect chance to put that spirit into action. As the Oklahoma Food Truck Championship rolls into downtown on Saturday, thousands of people from all across the state will be here to sample incredible food and experience Chickasha hospitality. For those of us who already call Chickasha home, let’s show them how we “love where we live.” When you come downtown for the Food Truck Championship and the Rock  Island Arts Festival, don’t just stop at your favorite food truck—take a stroll down Chickasha Avenue. Pop into our boutique shops, say hello to the store owners, and pick up something special. Whether it’s a gift, a piece of art, or a new outfit, you’ll not only find something unique, you’ll be making a difference for a local business owner who’s invested in our community. Chickasha’s growth is exciting, but sustaining that growth takes all of us. So, let’s support the businesses that are here now, welcome the new ones that are arriving, and continue building a Community where people truly love where they live. That’s #TheGoodStuff.

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.

In every thriving community, there are cornerstones that help hold it all together. For Chickasha, one of those pillars is the Chickasha Chamber of Commerce. It’s easy to see the ribbon cuttings, luncheons, and annual banquet and think the Chamber is just about events. But the truth is, its impact runs much deeper—and that’s why being a member and supporter matters. Let me acknowledge that I am the President of the Chickasha Chamber of Commerce, but even before my current position, I have been a big believer of Chambers and all they do for their Communities! The Chamber is our Community advocate. Whether it’s working with city leaders on economic growth, pushing for legislation that helps local businesses, or connecting entrepreneurs with resources, the Chamber is a voice for the people who power our local economy. When you join, you’re not just paying dues—you’re investing in a team that fights for your success. It’s also about connection. The Chamber brings people together—business owners, educators, civic leaders, and volunteers. That network creates opportunities for collaboration and growth. A small business owner may meet their next big client at a Chamber event. A newcomer to town might find a mentor, a friend, or even their first Chickasha customer through a Chamber introduction.  And let’s not forget visibility. In today’s crowded marketplace, being a Chamber member sets you apart. It tells people you’re committed to this community, that you believe in shopping local, hiring local, and supporting local. Chickasha residents notice who shows up—and the Chamber gives you a platform to shine. But maybe most importantly, supporting the Chamber is about hometown pride. It’s about investing in the future of Chickasha, making sure our kids and grandkids inherit a community that is thriving, welcoming, and full of opportunity. When we support the Chamber, we’re supporting each other, it’s really that simple! So, if you’re not a member yet, consider joining. If you are, thank you. Keep showing up, keep engaging, keep believing in Chickasha. Because together, with the Chamber leading the charge, there’s no limit to what we can accomplish and show everyone #TheGoodStuff!

When you look ahead to 2026, one word keeps coming up for Oklahoma: Travel. It’s not just that tourism is big business—it’s that next year may be the biggest year in the history of Oklahoma tourism. Between the Route 66 Centennial celebrations, the FIFA World Cup bringing global fans through our state, the 250 th birthday of America and a growing national spotlight on small-town charm, we are preparing for more visitors than ever before. That’s good news for Chickasha, because while travelers will come for the major events, what they’ll remember are the authentic experiences—the things you can’t get anywhere else. That’s where treasures like the Chief Drive-In Theater shine. We all know that the Chickasha Leg Lamp will draw thousands of road side attraction fans, but don’t forget that our Drive-In is one of only four in the entire state and the only one open year around. The Chief has been lighting up the Oklahoma night sky since 1949. Generations of families have rolled down their windows, tuned in their radios, and made memories under the stars. I recently celebrated my 41 st wedding anniversary – my wife and I’s first date was there. In 2026 it has the chance to be a centerpiece for Route 66 tourists looking for that classic Americana feel. Imagine a family from Germany driving Route 66 for the first time, stopping in Chickasha at J&W Grill or Jake’s and ending their night watching a movie at the Chief. Or soccer fans from Mexico City or Toronto detouring through Oklahoma after the World Cup, catching a double-feature. Those stories—and the dollars they bring with them—are what tourism is all about. Travel tourism isn’t just a statistic. It means hotels filled, restaurants busy, gas stations humming, and shops seeing new faces. More importantly, it means our Community being discovered and appreciated. Chickasha has always been known for its hospitality, and 2026 is our chance to prove it on the biggest stage yet. So when you think about the importance of travel tourism in 2026, remember the Chief Drive-In. It’s not just a movie theater. It’s a time machine, a piece of living history, and one of the reasons visitors will fall in love with Chickasha Oklahoma and #TheGoodStuff!

It is officially back to school week, can you believe it? The temperatures outside make you think summer, but the calendar says it’s time for the kids to get back to school. The nonprofit “A Beautiful Day” will again organize volunteers to welcome kids at all Chickasha schools. This has become a new tradition that both volunteers and kids look forward to, even if some of the kids wouldn’t admit it. Another Chickasha school tradition will happen on October 3 rd when CHS celebrates Homecoming! So many of us alumni have great memories of homecoming activities, I know my classmates talk about it every class reunion or informal gathering we have. So much has changed over the years, but I am hoping we can address one change this year, but I need everyone’s help. Last year during the Homecoming Parade, there were no floats done by the students. I think each class had some representative riding on a trailer, but they weren’t floats. When I inquired about why, I was told that they needed help finding buildings to build each class float and they needed more adults to help supervise the students. That sounds like the definition of alumni to me. I have alumni groups confirmed for two of the four classes and one confirmed location to build the float, but the tradition of homecoming floats needs YOU! Are you a local business that has a building in the Downtown area where a float could be built September 28 th through Oct 3 rd ? Would your alumni class be willing to connect to today’s high school students and help them understand what Homecoming meant to you when you were in school? I have made the commitment to CHS to find alumni groups and float locations and we are off to a great start, but your help is needed. Email me at jim@chickashaedc.com or call me at 405-224-0787 and let me know if you can help. Traditions are so important to our Community so please help keep this one going. This is not just about the students that are at CHS today, but it’s about the definition of alumni and keeping our School Pride going. A Community that cares about the past and that are willing to keep traditions going, well of course that’s #TheGoodStuff!

I read a story this week that the City of Weatherford Oklahoma built a giant Spaceman in their Downtown thanks to a million dollar grant from the Route 66 Commission. As the home to astronaut Thomas P. Stafford, it’s easy to see the connection. From what I understand, they wanted something that would make people get off the highway to take a picture. From the comments from the Mayor, he hopes the people that stop will also spend some money in Weatherford while they are there. When I read social media posts on the Weatherford Chamber of Commerce Facebook page, there was a lot of support, but there were also citizens who felt like the new signage and the giant Spaceman were “tacky” or that they should have put something else up instead or even some that said they shouldn’t have done anything. Does any of this sound familiar? City leaders from Weatherford, including their Mayor visited Chickasha months ago. They went down to our Leg Lamp and looked around and then they stopped by my office to ask questions. They already had their idea and a plan of how to get their Spaceman built, but they wanted to know if the Chickasha Leg Lamp had been successful in getting people to stop and take a picture. I think we all know the answer to that question. In my visits to Weatherford the past couple of years, I have been very impressed. They have a vision for their town and a plan to make it all happen. They are not going to sit back and “hope” something good happens in their Community, they are going to move forward and MAKE it happen! Chickasha has received millions of dollars of positive press since the Leg Lamp was put up permanently, but we have also been making headlines recently for other progress. I acknowledge that there will always be those that don’t like it, just like the Spaceman in Weatherford, but I believe our Leg Lamp represents a Community that didn’t want to sit back and “hope” for change, we wanted to go make change happen. If you look at the progress that Chickasha has made the last 5 years, you can NOT argue the significant improvements. Congratulations Weatherford! 2026 will be a huge year for travelers in Oklahoma. We will see our share here in Chickasha too, even though we are not on Route 66. That’s what happens when you do something different. Can a giant Spaceman exist in the same state as a 50 foot tall Leg Lamp? Of course they can, because they both appreciate #TheGoodStuff!

The work plan for the Chickasha Economic Development Council for this new fiscal year includes seven goals and each goal lists a “partner.” I believe that to make the maximum impact on economic development, we need to always be working with a partner. Among the goals, there are two that every economic development organization should start with: Recruit jobs and help local businesses expand and grow. Luckily for our Community, the OK Small Business Development Center recently opened a “business incubator” here in Chickasha to help with those goals. SBDC’s tagline is “helping Oklahoma businesses succeed,” and you know the best part of that? Their services are FREE! Imagine you want to open a business here in the Chickasha area. You have a great idea that you think is exactly what we need. So what do you do? How much money do you need to get started? Where in Chickasha should you open the buiness? How many employees do you need? So many questions…and they can be answered confidently by Angie Lewis, Business Advisor for the Oklahoma SBDC and she offices here localy at the Canadian Valley Technology Center. Angie’s previous experience is as an entreprenuer as well as decades of success at Career Tech. Besides her vast knowledge, she is also connected to other SBDC advisors all over the state of Oklahoma. They are all there to help YOU! In addition to helping start up businesses, they also help our local folks. The ones that have been in business for a while, but they need a little help with cash flow analysis, marketing plans, banking needs, etc. Did I mention that all their services are free and extremely confidential? I talk to a lot of people that read this weekly column, but I also realize that there are many business owners out there that are so busy, they may not have time to read everything. Do me a favor and help spread this throughout our Community. I want all our local businesses to know that there is someone out there that can help them grow their sales, reduce their costs, or help them make a plan for their business for the futrue. That someone is Angie Lewis and her email addres is angie.lewis@oksbdc.org. She wants to help our small business grow and thrive and she is a great example of #TheGoodStuff!

I mentioned a couple of months ago that the population in Chickasha surpassed 17,000 as of July of 2024, but it’s pretty obvious that we aren’t stopping there. For the fiscal year 2024/25, the City of Chickasha issued 124 residential permits. This has been a consistent trend the past few years and is much needed for our town. It amazes me the amount of people that work in Chickasha, but live somewhere else and commute here each day. Forty percent of the people that work in Chickasha, drive at least 25 minutes a day one way. Let that sink in for a minute. Forty percent… Most people assume that many of the people that live here commute to other areas like OKC to work, but rarely think about the amount that commute here. Where should new housing additions be built? What size of homes should be built and what price range should they be in? Should there be more housing developed in the upper floors of cool old buildings in Downtown? Lots of issues to be discussed as our City moves forward and we continue to grow. There is so much data that shows that the OKC metro is spreading toward our area. New exits are planned on I-44 and when the Highway 81 bypass is completed years from now, there will be new exits created off of that. Traffic patterns will certainly influence where new housing developments are planned. Chickasha presents a huge opportunity for the right housing developers, it will be exciting to see what happens and where. This is also great news for our local businesses that will benefit from new people moving into town. So many positives are lining up for our future, this growth will help us enjoy all #TheGoodStuff!