Broken Arrow is on-board to create thousands of Green Country jobs

BROKEN ARROW, Okla. - The Tulsa Metro Chamber Of Commerce aims to add 26,000 jobs to Green Country over the next five years. Nearly half would pay a salary of at least $50,000. The City of Broken Arrow supports the plan.

City officials in Broken Arrow are focusing on growing Green Country by joining in the Tulsa Future initiative.

The objective is to create 10,000 high paying positions, such as manufacturing and tech jobs, and 16,000 additional openings as a result of those jobs. "Whatever we can bring into this area that will employ people above the state average salaries is really what we are looking for," says Broken Arrow Mayor Mike Lester.

Lester says this same type of recruitment landed Flight Safety in Broken Arrow. Openings there will take off in the next few years, adding up to 1,000 jobs at a salary of $55,000. "When it's good for the region, it's ultimately good for Broken Arrow," Mayor Lester said.

Broken Arrow is one of 130 investors in the Tulsa Future Initiative. The city gave $20,000 as its part.

Chamber officials say the funds will be used to promote the area.

Sheila Curley is with the Tulsa Metro Chamber. She says, "It's not just about business attraction, but also about business retention. From a staff standpoint we are out visiting with 800 businesses a year to figure out what they need to grow."

This is the second phase of the Tulsa Future Initiative. Chamber leaders say the first created about 15,000 jobs.