Stillwater Chamber reports business expansions, data-center spending and hub plans

Elaine Zanotti of the Stillwater Chamber of Commerce briefed the Stillwater Economic Development Authority on recent economic-development activity and upcoming initiatives, highlighting local business expansions, data-center spending and workforce outreach tied to the hub.

Zanotti said the Chamber’s report covers its fiscal year (Chamber Q4 equates to the city’s Q2) and summarized accomplishments marked in the written packet. "They've almost contributed $4,000,000 in local spending, alone," she said of a data-center consortium the Chamber referenced as SWRIA, and added that partners have spent more than $38,000,000 with local vendors. Zanotti said the consortium estimates "about 10,000 workers" will pass through the site by the end of phases 1 and 2.

She noted a ribbon cutting for Kingspan Roofing and Waterproofing and said that location will also serve as Kingspan’s first U.S. distribution site, calling the expansion a local win. The Chamber also reported a two-week film production, "13 folds," that invested $250,000 locally after the council approved a film-friendly designation in December.

On land and site planning, Zanotti said the Chamber holds parcels near the hub (referred to as Commerce Place) and reported Meridian Technology Center purchased two lots to build a safety training facility. She described Meridian as a strong partner for appropriate uses of that corridor.

Zanotti described ongoing collaboration with the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, Department of Commerce tours of local employers and planned joint events in Stillwater in 2026. She said the Chamber will re-establish a Stillwater Area Manufacturing Council to coordinate manufacturers on workforce and growth issues and plans a Central Oklahoma "economic development 101" session for neighboring smaller communities.

Regarding the hub, Zanotti said the Chamber and partners are "eagerly awaiting the hub to open" and proposed hosting fifth-grade workforce-exploration events at the hub to introduce students to career pathways. When an unidentified trustee asked, "What's the latest start date for the hub? When do we expect it to be open?" Zanotti responded she "hear[s] that it's pretty soon," noted uncertainty in timing, and said the Chamber hopes to host the school events in April or May when the hub opens; trustees also referenced November and a hopeful February timeline during the exchange.

Trustees thanked Zanotti for the update and the partnership. The presentation concluded with no formal action tied to the Chamber report.