Chamber representative outlines workforce push, retail investment and childcare concerns at economic development authority meeting

A Chamber representative told the Stillwater Economic Development Authority on May 4 that workforce development, new retail investments and a growing child-care shortage are the chamber’s top priorities as the city absorbs growth from recent manufacturing and data center projects.

The presenter said the chamber’s economic development division is concentrating on immediate talent recruitment, long-term workforce development and upskilling existing workers. “We work in partnership with community stakeholders to create quality jobs, enhance quality of life, and ensure long-term prosperity for Stillwater,” the Chamber representative said, describing the office’s mission and core values.

Context: The chamber described three workforce paths it is pursuing. The chamber is partnering with Meridian and Stillwater Public Schools on ACT Work Ready Community certification to help students gain industry-recognized credentials and to pursue community certification. The presenter also described a short-term recruitment effort, Make My Move, aimed at attracting specific talent to local industries, and the chamber’s first district-wide fifth-grade career exploration event, which has 48 businesses signed up to host activities and assessments for students.

The presenter said the chamber has stepped up regional coordination, including an economic development 101 event attended by Councilor Harden, the county assessor and a county commissioner, and a visit by 75 state leaders for an Oklahoma Department of Commerce program. The chamber also toured the USA Rare Earth facility with Commerce’s EDGE team to assess magnet production and related industry recruitment opportunities.

Local projects and retail: The presenter announced that Bradford Plaza was acquired by Dunhill Partners, a Dallas–Fort Worth–area owner that plans improvements and a tenant mix combining national brands and small businesses. The chamber also confirmed that a Barnes & Noble store is coming to Stillwater and that it is working with two developers on other investment projects.

Child care and workforce impacts: The chamber representative warned that more than 500 child-care facilities have closed across Oklahoma in the past year and described a chamber project intended to help grow quality child-care capacity to support local workforce needs. “We want to make sure that we are doing everything that we can to continue the efforts that are being led by some of our other community members and providing the necessary support,” the presenter said.

Data center economic effect: On local economic impact, the presenter cited Manhattan TWW updates showing local spending tied to the data center project between September 2024 and March 2026. The presenter said Manhattan alone employs 89 people locally and estimated that contractors on-site number “a few hundred.” Trustees asked for clarification on employment figures; the presenter confirmed the 89-employee figure and described contractor employment as an approximate count.

Funding and staffing for economic development: The presenter asked the authority to consider how the city might prioritize sustainable, long-term revenue streams to support a fully staffed economic development function, noting that communities of Stillwater’s size often have dedicated full-time staff for economic development. Trustees expressed interest in meeting further to discuss models and options.

Procedure and next steps: Earlier in the meeting a trustee moved to approve the consent docket; another trustee seconded the motion and the authority voted 4–0 to approve it. After the Chamber report and brief discussion, a motion to adjourn carried 4–0 and the meeting ended.

Votes at a glance: Motion to approve consent docket — motion made and seconded; outcome: approved, vote 4–0. Motion to adjourn — motion made and seconded; outcome: approved, vote 4–0.