ENID — Gov. Mary Fallin complimented Enid on its small business growth during a speech Wednesday night at the Grand National Quail Hunt’s annual dinner.
In her brief address to a packed room at Oakwood Country Club, Fallin focused on economic growth and conservative reforms she said are further improving the state’s business climate and financial standing.
Concerning Enid, she specifically cited a recent 24/7 Wall Street report that placed Enid in the top nine “Small Cities with Big Opportunities.”
“That’s a great compliment to the community and all of the hard work that the citizens here have done over the years,” Fallin said.
Addressing the quail hunt’s guests, many of whom traveled from out of state for the annual event, Fallin said, “You are in one of the finest communities in our state.”
“You are in a community that has not only great infrastructure, great health care and Vance Air Force Base, but also a very strong small business climate and just a wonderful quality of life,” Fallin said.
“But, of course,” she said, “I also have to tell you how wonderful Oklahoma is doing.”
Fallin said “Oklahoma is a hot place to be right now,” largely because of reforms undertaken in this year’s legislative session.
“When I took office in January, myself and many other people said our most important goal was getting our economy back on track, and we had a great legislative session this year,” Fallin said.
She specifically cited reforms in tort law and workers’ compensation, income tax cuts and cuts in the size of the state government to make it “more efficient” for helping put Oklahoma “back on track.”
“Economic development-wise, we’re seeing a great resurgence in Oklahoma right now,” Fallin said. “When many states are having challenges with their economies, Oklahoma is really leading the whole field. We have a low unemployment rate and many months this year we have enjoyed double-digit economic growth.”
Fallin commented briefly on a new initiative to increase the market for compressed natural gas vehicles and for natural gas as an energy source in general. That effort was formalized last week at the Governor’s Energy Conference in Oklahoma City when Fallin signed a memorandum of understanding with the governors of Colorado, Wyoming and Pennsylvania to increase state support of and opportunities for natural gas products.
“Oklahoma is leading the path in the country in bringing more natural gas into the market ... to focus on natural gas vehicles, to focus on natural gas as an American energy source and to bring more energy revenue back into the U. S.,” Fallin said.
Fallin’s comments on bringing energy revenue back to the United States drew the most energetic applause from the crowd during her address.
She closed her comments by urging business leaders in attendance to consider Oklahoma as an ideal location for business expansion.
“When you are looking at the possibility of expanding your business or growing new business, look at Oklahoma, because we are focused on having the very best business climate possible,” Fallin said. “Oklahoma is a great place to live, and Enid is certainly one of the prime cities in our state.”