Claremore 2017 Economic Development Highlights

January 5, 2018

Story originally published by CIEDA

Claremore’s low cost of doing business, short commute times and central location have made it a prime candidate for industry growth and expansion. Over the past year, the Claremore Industrial and Economic Development Authority (CIEDA), continued efforts to attract new business opportunities, expand existing opportunities and collaborated with partners to position Claremore for increased economic activity.

In 2017 alone, Claremore saw a net growth of nearly 400 quality jobs, welcomed a new manufacturing industrial entity, and new commercial, retail and dining additions, including Chick-fil-a, Starbucks and Frosted Artisan Cake Studio. Claremore also celebrated the groundbreaking of two mixed-use properties, The Cornerstone and The Mark, which will be home to new residential locations and numerous new commercial businesses.

These successes are a true testament to the benefits of collaborative relationships by the business and civic leaders throughout the community. Additionally, 2017 brought a significant increase in proposal requests from businesses looking to relocate or expand to the Claremore region. In this time of unprecedented growth and development, Claremore is seeing an increased need for a skilled labor force. 

The negative perceptions surrounding the manufacturing industry impede the region’s future workforce pipeline. As the region’s manufacturing entities continue to grow, it is imperative to change misconceptions surrounding this vital economic sector. In an effort to meet current and future talent expansion needs the Claremore Industrial and Economic Development Authority facilitates many workforce efforts.

This year, the Partners In Education program was expanded to include two Rogers County schools, partnering State Farm Agent, Grant Gingerich and Coldwell Banker Select, Realtors with Justice-Tiawah Public Schools and Public Service Company of Oklahoma, and AEP Company with Oologah Public Schools.

The Partners and Education Program continues to positively impact our classrooms. Since Aug. 2017 alone, Rogers County partners have invested more than $31,000 and 340 volunteer hours in regional classrooms.

Recent information from the Oklahoma Office of Workforce Development shows the Tulsa region is facing a 16 percent skills gap between the skills and education of local workforce, and what will be needed to meet workforce needs in 2025.

To help combat this staggering statistic, CIEDA recently developed a hands-on “Learn and Earn” program. This program aims to educate students on the career pathways available in their community    through industrial tours and student placement within local manufacturing facilities. This program has successfully placed one full-time and one part-time student at an industrial manufacturing facility with potential participants in the pipeline.

2017 was a great year for economic development in Claremore, and the community celebrated many successes. As we enter in to a new year, CIEDA is committed to its efforts to attract and retain both companies and workforce and make Claremore a better place to live, play and do business. There are big things on the horizon for Claremore, and CIEDA is confident 2018 will be another landmark year for the region.

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About the Claremore Industrial and Economic Development Authority

The Claremore Industrial and Economic Development Authority (CIEDA) is a public trust organization formed in 1948 to stimulate economic growth and development for the city of Claremore. CIEDA oversees the Claremore Industrial Park and the Claremore Regional Airport, as well as facilitates the recruitment, retention, and expansion of primary industry jobs, and expansion of the sales tax base through the recruitment of new destination retail businesses. CIEDA additionally works to ensure a regional workforce pipeline through initiatives such as Partners in Education and Claremore Collective.