OKLAHOMA CITY (OBV) – Oklahoma Department of Commerce officials are celebrating what they are touting as record job growth in Oklahoma as well as successful, business-friendly legislation.
The 2025 legislative session began in February and concluded last week. During those four months, several major companies announced that they are expanding into Oklahoma and creating scores of new jobs.
That time period includes the most successful month of economic development — based on announced job growth — in the state’s history, according to Commerce Department officials.
Several companies announced plans to build facilities in Oklahoma during the past few months. Announcements made between April 24 and May 15 promised the creation of 2,907 new jobs in Oklahoma.
“This is what happens when you cut red tape, keep taxes low, and put America-first values to work,” Gov. Kevin Stitt said. “Oklahoma is winning because we’re doing things the right way— trusting businesses, protecting freedom, and getting government out of the way. Companies are flocking here because they know Oklahoma has their back.”
The breakdown of those company investments and anticipated new jobs is as follows:
- April 24: Dollar Tree announced plans to rebuild its distribution center in Marietta, creating 400 jobs.
- April 30: Commerce announces Business Expansion Incentive Program (BEIP) winners, resulting in 190 new jobs statewide.
- May 6: Commerce announces winners of the Oklahoma Innovation Expansion Program (OIEP), supporting the creation of 967 jobs across various sectors and dozens of communities.
- May 12: CBC Global Ammunition selects Oklahoma for a new manufacturing facility, adding 350 jobs.
- May 15: Emirates Global Aluminium announces a $4 billion aluminum production plant, choosing Oklahoma as the site for its U.S. operations, creating 1,000 new jobs.
“I’m thrilled to see this much rapid growth in Oklahoma,” said John Budd, CEO of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce. “We’re not just seeing large companies pick Oklahoma for their new home — entrepreneurs and small businesses across the state are also finding ways to grow their footprint and reinvest in their communities. I’m so proud of the hard work the Commerce team and all our economic development partners around the state have put in to pursue ways to grow Oklahoma’s economy.”
The job growth is happening throughout Oklahoma, said Evan Brown, Executive Director of the Oklahoma Office of Economic Development, Growth, and Expansion (OkEDGE).
“Not only are companies choosing Oklahoma, but our existing businesses are expanding as well,” Brown said. “We want to invest in companies that are committed to Oklahoma—that’s why 70% of our incentives go to businesses already based here. We are seeing that have a positive impact in more than 60 communities across the state.”
The Department of Commerce is working to attract companies that are looking to expand its workforce, according to Heather Turner, Deputy CEO and Executive Director of the Oklahoma Division of Community Outreach and Revitalization Enterprise (CORE).
“Our mission at the Department of Commerce is to cultivate environments and relationships that foster economic growth,” said Turner said. “Not only are we after the big fish, but 70% of our incentives go to support existing Oklahoma companies and communities. We want to invest in business that have invested in our state.”
Commerce officials also touted the following bills, each successful this past legislative session and expected to help grow the state’s economy and business community:
- HB 2781: Creates the “Reindustrialize Oklahoma Act” which paves the way for Emirates Global Aluminium to build the first aluminum production plant in the U.S. in 45 years.
- SB 209: Creates the Taiwan Regional Trade Office.
- HB 2110: Creates the “Bringing Sitcoms Home from Hollywood Pilot Program,” to promote live episodic television productions being recorded in Oklahoma.
- HB 2374: Makes improvements to the “Filmed in Oklahoma Act,” which has generated a $531 million economic impact for the state.
- HB 1571: Removes the expiration date for the Oklahoma Route 66 Commission, guaranteeing grant funding for projects on the historic highway for years to come.
“Now more than ever, companies around the world are lining up, wanting to do business with Oklahoma,” Brown said. “A lot of that has to do with the work Governor Stitt and the legislature do every session to create a business-friendly environment. When we all work together to grow jobs, increase capital investment and improve Oklahoma’s economy, amazing things happen.”
