OKC Tops List Of Most Economically Secure Cities

Oklahoma City is getting noticed for its growth in business. A national survey called "Metro Trends" gave the city an "A" grade for economic performance and ranked it first for economic security. The survey examined the nation's 100 largest metro areas.

Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce President Roy Williams has seen the survey and reacts to what he said he's known all along, "It's really a reaffirmation of what we've been seeing for the last couple years."

The survey gave Oklahoma City high marks for maintaining housing values, low foreclosure rates, and low unemployment numbers. Williams credits the city's diverse economy, "You see growth in aviation and aerospace, you see bioscience, you see energy. Those are not only hiring and have a lot of jobs but they are also very well paid jobs so they bring up our average income."

SandRidge Energy is one of the businesses helping to boost the local economy. The five-year-old company is currently building a new commons downtown to house its future growth.

SandRidge Energy's Communications Vice President Greg Dewey said the company has plans to triple in size over the next three to five years. "Currently we have 640 people working downtown and again should have three times that in a short period of time."

Despite the high marks, the Chamber of Commerce president said Oklahoma City still faces many challenges. Williams said the city needs to work on a marketing plan to attract more businesses outside the state, work on expanding direct flights to the airport, and update laws and rules that create a more favorable business environment.