SAND SPRINGS, Okla. — The City of Sand Springs is seeing a boost in the local economy with new projects underway and businesses moving in.
One of the biggest projects is the "Sheffield Crossing" shopping center on Highway 97 that's under construction. It'll have the city's first Chick-fil-A, the nation's third largest food restaurant retailer. It is expected to open by this fall. Sheffield Crossing will provide both a retail and dining experience for visitors.
Last week, the city announced the Webco manufacturer expansion will create more than two dozen jobs at its second site.
Another thing the city is focusing on is the expansion of Main Street, which has already broken ground. The community development director with the City of Sand Springs, Grant Gerondale, said this partnership with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation will "alleviate current and future traffic pressure on what is becoming a busier shopping area."
At least three new businesses have opened up in the last two years in downtown, which include Boulder Coffee, Okie Spice and Blush.
"Every biz person out here loves to see the new things happening, and then the business owners are taking such pride in their buildings, and their businesses and they're making it happen," said Kristen Cepak, the president of Sand Springs Chamber of Commerce.
These small shops are not only contributing to the local economy, but adding to the growth of the city as a whole.
"The customers and community downtown, they just love to come here and hang out," said Danielle Myers, the owner of Boulder Coffee, "We've had people coming into town for sporting events, things like that. They're like oh my goodness I didn't know downtown was doing this, it's blowing up!"
In addition to the revitalization in downtown, the city opened its first coworking and business incubator six months ago called "The Link." It already has three companies leasing office space and working from it. These include two therapists and a mortgage company.
Also, the city-owned public course "The Canyons at Blackjack Ridge" is receiving a $2 million face-lift. It'll have a new golf pro shop and upgrades to some areas of the course, according to Gerondale.
There are plans for a new visitor center to be built at Keystone Ancient Forest, a popular hiking area in Sand Springs. The city is opening public bids for constructionon Tuesday morning. Sealed bids will open at 10:15 a.m. at Case Community Center.
With the recent boom in business and development, residents are optimistic about the future of Sand Springs.
"It's just becoming a little melting pot," said Cepak, "I love it."
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