Consultants Forum Advertise
Subscribe
Area Development Magazine Current Issue

  • Free for qualified executives and consultants to industry

  • Receive quarterly issues of Area Development Magazine and special market report and directory issues

Subscribe Now
Renew

Area Development

Tulsa - Where Business Grows

Tulsa is attracting businesses with its industry clusters, infrastructure, and work force, and many media outlets are taking note.

Location USA 2010
Home to more than 900,000, Tulsa, Oklahoma perfectly balances convenience and affordability with the advantages of a highly skilled work force, a central location, a pro-business atmosphere, and an excellent quality of life. It is a dynamic, growing region that offers the fifth-lowest cost for doing business in the nation and is home to some of the nation's largest companies. These assets combine to make an ideal home for progressive companies competing in a global economy. 

Businesses finding success in Tulsa include Williams, ONEOK, Samson, QuikTrip Corporation, Holly Corporation, Spirit AeroSystems, Melton Truck Lines, BAMA Companies, and Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group. Additionally, Tulsa is home to the world's largest aerospace maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility, American Airlines.
Located in the heart of the United States, Tulsa is conveniently connected to the rest of the nation by air, rail, ground, and water. Tulsa offers air cargo service through seven freight carriers at Tulsa International Airport; more than 50 local motor freight companies; rail service through two mainline-carriers and four short-line carriers; and year-round, ice-free barge service through the nation's most inland water port - the Tulsa Port of Catoosa.
Tulsa also provides a number of incentives including the Quality Jobs program, 21st Century Quality Jobs, Prime Contractor Incentive, Engineer Tax Credit, Small Employer Quality Jobs, and others.

A revitalized city is developing.
Tulsa is investing in many industries and areas of development, including its core. The city is pumping more than $300 million in public monies into its 1.4 square miles of downtown with a clear vision that includes a new arena, renovated convention center, new hotels, additional living space, street and bridge improvements, retail and restaurants, a new art center, and a baseball park. In addition to downtown development, the region's population is growing and becoming more diverse, and new, innovative industries are emerging. People from all over the world are taking notice of Tulsa and its momentum. And the best is yet to come.

Jim Fram, CEcD, CCE Senior Vice President, Economic Development
Tulsa Metro Chamber
2 W. Second Street
Ste. 150
Tulsa, OK 74103
Phone: 918-560-0231
Fax: 918-585-8386
E-mail: JimFram@TulsaChamber.com
www.GrowMetroTulsa.com
The Tulsa region has experienced much growth during the past year. Announcements included:
• The expansion of American Airlines and Spirit AeroSystems;
• Dallas-based Holly Corporation's purchase of Tulsa's two refineries, formerly Sunoco and Sinclair;
• Tulsa's ranking as the No. 1 place to live in the United States, according to Relocate America;
• BOK Center's ranking as the country's No. 9 venue for ticket sales;
• The grand opening of the region's only Hard Rock Hotel and Casino;
• Sports headlines, including a new downtown baseball stadium, ONEOK Field, the WNBA's newest team, the Tulsa Shock, and becoming the headquarters city of the Arena Football League;
• Tulsa's Young Professionals' launch of a unique business incubator, The Forge; and
• Mayor Dewey Bartlett's pledge to ensure Tulsa-area businesses and employees are globally competitive.

The secret is out.
Tulsa ranked as a top-10 metro area in 19 publications in 2009 and 2010 for its economy, real estate, low cost of living,
and quality of life. Accolades include:
• No. 1 place to live in the U.S. (Relocate America 2009)
• No. 1 state for entrepreneurship (Kauffman Foundation 2010)
• No. 7 strongest U.S. metro economy (BusinessWeek 2009)
• No. 8 U.S. city for young adults (Portfolio.com 2010)
• No. 9 venue in the U.S. and No. 24 worldwide (Pollstar magazine 2010)
• No. 10 city having an awesome recovery (Business Insider 2010)
• Top 20 strongest performing metro economies (Brookings Institution 2010)

Podcast

Episodes
Apple Podcasts Spotify

Magazine

Issues
Area Development Magazine Q2 2026
Q2 2026

Receive quarterly issues of Area Development Magazine at no charge for qualified executives and consultants to industry.

Exclusive Research