MAPS 3 Project Campaign Targets Younger Generation

By Jacqueline Sit, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The countdown is on as voters will hit the polls in less than a week to determine the fate of the MAPS 3 initiative.

Supporters say the projects will benefit everyone especially the next generation of workers by keeping them at home. But some say there's no way to know that for sure.

In the last few weeks, the Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett has visited with young professionals and students all across the city targeting young people days before they go to the polls.

"If we expect our kids and our grandkids to live in Oklahoma City we are going to have to build a city that is commiserate and can create the jobs that equal their educational level," Mayor Cornett said.

Mayor Cornett continues his MAPS 3 campaign.

"We understand you have to create things in your city that are exciting and things to do," said Cornett. "The young, the talented, the highly educated people that we're trying to get to stay in our city and move to our city have choices in other places."

Amanda Kuhlman is one of those young professionals targeted.

"I think Oklahoma has so much momentum right now because of past MAPS," said Kuhlman. "It's so important to keep that going and keep that moving forward."

She moved to Oklahoma from Nebraska five years ago and is in the Sooner State to stay.

"I think it's going to keep young people living in Oklahoma City and working here and not only building a strong city, but building a strong community," Kuhlman said.

While there are plenty of proponents for the project, there is a fair share of opposition.

Porter Davis with KillTheMAPSTax.com said he does not think the MAPS 3 will attract people to stay in the city.

"In terms of building Oklahoma City in a long term basis I don't see any relationship between the hodgepodge of MAPS Tax process and keeping people in Oklahoma City with more real jobs that'll be long lasting," Davis said.

Oklahoma City voters go to the polls on December 8 to vote on the MAPS Initiative.