Business Facilities mag: Oklahoma City boasts #1 quality of life
OKC also top 10 for lowest cost of business, best cost of living
Published: Wednesday, August 24, 2016Oklahoma City showed well in Business Facilities' July/August 2016 "Metro Rankings" issue, coming in at #1 for best quality of life, in addition to top-10 finishes in the "lowest cost of business" (#8) and "best cost of living" (#7) categories.
"Over the past decade, Oklahoma City has seen unprecedented growth, and the end is nowhere in sight. Fresh off what is said to be the largest urban makeover in U.S. history—with more than $5 billion invested in new development—Oklahoma City has spruced up, renovated and entered the 21st century with what has become signature gusto. Its new-found adrenaline is reflected in a gleaming downtown; a robust economy; a sparkling, reclaimed river and a neon-lit canal flowing through Bricktown, one of the fastest-growing entertainment districts in the Southwest. Just a short walk from downtown hotels, event venues and attractions, this former warehouse district is filled with restaurants, nightlife and entertainment options. From taking a cruise along the Bricktown Canal to catching an Oklahoma City Dodgers game at the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark, Bricktown is a favorite destination for visitors and locals alike. And just north of Bricktown is historic Deep Deuce, where you can find more great restaurants and nightlife options.
One of the biggest attractions in OKC is the SkyDance Pedestrian Bridge. The walkway that soars more than 200 feet above Interstate 40 in downtown Oklahoma City has become one of the city’s most unique landmarks. The design is inspired by the “sky dance” of the scissor-tailed flycatcher, Oklahoma’s state bird. The 380-foot-long pedestrian bridge and 197-foot-tall sculpture spans I-40 near Robinson Avenue south of downtown. It’s made of stainless steel panels that shimmer in the sun and is illuminated nightly with LED color-changing lights."
"Whether it's the availability of STEM-trained workers for advanced manufacturing, protecting abundant water resources for the next 50 years, expanding alternative energy or upgrading water resources for the next 50 year, expanding alternative energy or upgrading infrastructure and bringing gigabit-speed Internet to all corners of the state, OK has a plan that works, and the results to prove it. During the first six months of OK’s current fiscal year, 28 companies announced plans to invest more than $2.3 billion in Oklahoma over the next three years."