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!

This past Sunday, the Oklahoma City Thunder did something that this state has never seen before — they won an NBA Championship! If you’ve spent any time at all this year watching them, their recipe for success was obvious. Hard work, great defense, no egos and everyone working together to make something special happen. It worked wonderfully for them and I think that same approach can work right here in Chickasha. No, I am not talking about basketball, I am referring to our golf course. What previously has been a semi-private country club is now owned by the city of Chickasha. The city has been approached by a group of golf enthusiasts that want our town to keep it a golf course and they have a great plan to make that happen. There are a lot of details to be worked out, but this group is currently working hard to keep the oldest golf tournament in the state going: The Washita Valley. Thanks to the dedication of these local volunteers, this will be the 97th year of the Washita Valley. This group is working through the Chamber to use the golf course Fourth of July weekend. They are spending time raising money to fund the tournament as well as spending weekends to help beautify the course in areas where possible. The ultimate goal is for our community to have a youth focused golf course for our kids to be able to enjoy. This group feels like it’s important that the kids of today and tomorrow get to enjoy the game of golf like many of these volunteers did when they were growing up in the 60s, 70s, and 80s. There are a lot of details to be worked out for this to be successful long term, but what stands out to me is the community spirit. Instead of saying “someone should do something,” this group rolled up their sleeves, got out their checkbooks and presented a temporary plan to the city. The only way our golf course will see the Washita Valley celebrate it’s 100th anniversary is if this “team” takes the script from the Oklahoma City Thunder and agrees to work together to make something special happen. When the city, the Chamber, our schools and the private sector all figure out ways to work together, good things happen in our community! I’m excited to see this kind of commitment towards a youth focused golf course and I believe it will happen because after all…I believe in #TheGoodStuff.

Back in 2020 before Covid hit, I remember talking with people about the population of Chickasha. They were concerned that our town had not seen any measurable growth in decades. We had always been around 15-16 thousand in population. I responded that at least we weren’t declining like many rural towns in Oklahoma. As you may remember, the census was done in 2020 and when they were done they reported that our population was 16,059. This number reflects people living in the Chickasha city limits and we all know there are a lot of people that live within a few miles of town that don’t show up in these numbers. One of the things the EDC has done the past few years is track out Trade Area. We define that as people that come to Chickasha at least once a month for 12 consecutive months. We use Placer data to determine this. In 2022 our Trade Area exceeded 89,000 people, but the latest data now shows that we are over 120,000 people coming to Chickasha monthly. This increase reflects how the area between us and OKC has grown, but also reflects the advertising campaign we have in the area reminding people to shop Chickasha. New estimates from the U.S. Census American Community Survey shows that as of July 1, 2024, Chickasha’s population has reached 17,014. This is an increase of almost 1,000 from the 2020 base estimate of 16,059. We finally exceeded that 17,000 number…but only for a short time. We have more housing developments underway and there will be more announced soon. Chickasha is growing! There was a time when there were NO new housing developments happening in Chickasha, but that has changed. Why is Chickasha growing? There are a lot of reasons, but the main one is because everyone is working together to make things better and to attract new business and welcome new neighbors. We hit a milestone of now being over 17,000 in population, that my friends is definitely #TheGoodStuff!

I attended the grand opening of the Production House last weekend and loved what I heard and saw. This building was purchased a couple of years ago by Reagan Elkins and the Oh18 partnership of Kristen McGregor and Kristyn Allbritton. They teamed up to remodel the building into office space, retail space, a meeting room and a film studio. Yes…we have a state of the art film studio in Downtown Chickasha! All three of these young entrepreneurs grew up in the Chickasha area. In addition to being landlords, they also have successful businesses. OH18 Creative produces an incredible magazine that showcases everything happening in the 73…018. They also help local businesses with graphic design, social media and creative design. Their award winning work has been recognized on both the state and local levels. Reagan Elkins company, Intellego Media can be seen everywhere and like Oh18, has won multiple awards. He has been involved in major motion pictures, Indy films and music videos. He also does promotional videos for companies like Hart Trailer, DeHart Airconditioning and Willowbrook. The EDC and the Chamber have utilized his talents on multiple videos and TV commercials. They are literally Chickasha’s version of the American Dream. Smart creative business people investing in Chickasha and seeing the Vision of where our town is going. Most rural towns lose talent like this to OKC, Tulsa or even Dallas. Chickasha has a bright future because they choose to live, work and play in our Community. They are helping tell our story of not only where we have been, but more importantly where we are going. When the American Dream is alive and well in our town, you guessed it…that’s #TheGoodStuff.

I saw a Facebook post recently from News 9 Weatherman Jed Castles. He was parked at 6 th & Chickasha by the Chickasha Area Arts Council mural that says: Chickasha Oklahoma…Good Things Happen Here. Jed asks his followers to guess where he was as he was waiting to chase storms and of course everyone guessed Chickasha. But as we are now at the beginning of May and storm season, it made me think about how many visitors we will be seeing here in the next couple of months. This weekend is graduation at USAO and there will be parents, family and friends in town to celebration that milestone for all the graduates. Chickasha High School and Canadian Valley Technology also have graduation coming up in May. USAO Softball will probably host another National Regional in a couple of weeks that will bring teams and their fans from all over the Country. Whether it’s Storm Trackers or any other visitor, there will be a lot of people stopping off for a bite to eat, stay the night, take a picture at the Leg Lamp…who knows why, BUT…they will be visiting Chickasha. I know for a fact that we have had major national retailers in town for a site visit. How were they greeted at the restaurant? Was the convenience store clerk nice? When you see someone that is obviously from out of town at the store do you smile at them and say hello? You never know who our visitors are, but if we try to be welcoming to everyone then that mural that the Arts Council did becomes very factual. We know that a visitor from California that saw the Leg Lamp being built liked this town enough to invest millions and he is buying the Airport Industrial Park and big news will be coming soon on that. First impressions are very important! We don’t want severe storms, but the visitors they bring are always welcome. When we appreciate someone new coming to our Community, you just never know what that could lead to? It might just be the CEO of a big company or it might just be someone that needs a smile and a friendly hello as they are passing through, either way they get to experience #TheGoodStuff!

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If you're a small business owner in Chickasha (or anywhere, really), there’s one digital tool you can’t afford to ignore: your Google Business Profile . This free resource could be the difference between someone walking through your doors—or passing you by completely. What Is a Google Business Profile? Formerly known as Google My Business, a Google Business Profile is what shows up when someone searches for your business—or a service you offer—on Google Search or Google Maps. Think of it as your digital storefront. It gives potential customers key info like your hours, location, reviews, photos, and how to get in touch. And the best part? It’s completely free . Why It Matters 1. 📍 Increased Visibility in Local Search When someone types in “boutique near me” or “Chickasha auto shop,” Google displays what’s called the Local Pack—a short list of businesses that match that search. These results sit above traditional website links and often show maps, reviews, and directions. If your business isn’t verified or doesn’t have accurate information, you’re likely missing out on being included in that list—meaning less visibility, fewer clicks, and potentially fewer customers. ✅ Businesses with complete and optimized profiles are twice as likely to be considered reputable by customers ( Harvard Media ). 2. 🤝 Builds Trust with Potential Customers Before someone calls or visits your business, they’re checking you out online. A well-maintained profile—with up-to-date hours, clear photos, and positive reviews—builds trust. It shows you're active, reliable, and ready to serve. “First impressions matter—especially online. Your Google profile is often your first chance to make a good one,” says Boise Web . 3. 📢 Free Way to Share Updates & Engage You can also use your profile to: Post updates and promotions Respond to customer reviews Share new photos of your storefront or products Answer frequently asked questions This makes your profile not just a static listing, but a tool for active community engagement. How to Claim or Set Up Your Google Business Profile It’s easier than you think: Visit google.com/business Sign in with your Google account Search for your business name Follow the prompts to claim or create your profile Verify your business (typically by postcard, phone, or email) Fill out your profile with accurate info, photos, and service details Need help? Google’s step-by-step guide is right here . Final Thoughts A Google Business Profile is one of the easiest and most effective tools small businesses can use to stand out. It’s not about being tech-savvy—it’s about being visible, trusted, and easy to find. If you’re not sure where to start, we’ve got you covered. Give us a call or email cassie@chickashachamber.com and we can help you out! 

We are blessed to have strong leaders representing us in the Oklahoma Senate and the Oklahoma House of Representatives. Representatives Brad Boles and Dick Lowe and Senator Lonnie Paxton are very active and engaged and understand how State policies can impact us here in Chickasha. They return phone calls and text messages and make time during the busy legislative session for their constituents. For our Community to grow, it is vital to have State leaders that want to help us succeed! Last week, local developer Chet Hitt and myself had the opportunity to have breakfast with the Governor and his Chief of Staff. This invitation came from the Governor because of the potential development of our Airport Industrial Park that Mr. Hitt will close on next month. Hitt has some ambitious plans to grow jobs in the 300 plus acres that has only grown grass for decades. The Governor was supportive of Hitt’s plan and was excited to hear about recruiting businesses into rural Oklahoma. Other state and federal leaders have also been supportive in helping us grow Chickasha: from United States Senator James Lankford and Congressman Tom Cole to Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell and others at both the State Department of Commerce and Tourism. It’s an exciting time right now in Chickasha, but our momentum is only possible because of so many people all working together. As Big announcements are made in the upcoming months, it will be because of a commitment that we are stronger together and that we can’t do it alone. The combination of having a strong City Manager and Mayor along with a supportive City Council is crucial to grow our town. Mix in support from local businesses, the Chamber and the EDC and we have the formula for successful growth. It takes everyone working together for all of us to enjoy #TheGoodStuff!

The City of Chickasha started offering a Downtown Grant back in 2019. An expired economic development sales tax had generated funds that provided incentives to the property owners to fix up their buildings. This was the beginning of the Downtown Revitalization. The free market system with no incentives produced no results in 30 years, it was time to try something else. The incentive was set up on a rebate program, so the property owner had to spend the money first and then turn in receipts in order to receive the grant. For every $3 dollars spent by the property owner, they would get $1 refunded back as long as the building produced a retail business that generated sale tax. This purpose of the grant was to stimulate private investment, but sales tax was a good by-product. The Grant was overseen by the EDC and thirteen different buildings addresses received grants. The buildings were renovated all along Chickasha avenue because the tax that funded this had those specific borders. The results were outstanding! Approximately $1.5 million dollars created almost $5.5 Million in private investment from the grant. BUT…over $7 Million more was spent by the private sector because of the very visible improvements in Downtown. For a detailed breakdown of this, please see the Chickasha EDC Facebook page .