His name and face might not be the most familiar, but it could be said that Mike Klemme has been among the most influential people in Oklahoma in recent years in setting the stage for important business negotiations, consultations in hospitals, forums in school auditoriums and countless other meetings held in places ranging from posh hotels to factories.
The Shawnee Future Farmers of America Chapter partially celebrated National FFA Week last week but had to cancel several events due to the winter weather.
The fencing is down and blue lanterns rise up from a rebuilt plaza surrounding the BancFirst Tower main entrance welcoming tenants and visitors to a downtown landmark that has undergone a dramatic transformation.
Bank employees are starting their move into the tower with a workforce of 425 expected to occupy the tower by this summer. The $70 million overhaul, however, remains a job in progress, and work by Lingo Construction won’t be complete until 2023.
“This was a building in tremendous disrepair and it was going down fast,” BancFirst CEO David Harlow said. “And it was rapidly getting to the point it could have been another Skirvin or First National requiring massive public assistance.”
The 36-story downtown
O’Connor: Bright spots of 2020
Cathy O’Connor
Before we discard 2020 and move forward, I want to highlight some economic development bright spots for our city and some lessons worth carrying forward.
The Oklahoma City Council and Oklahoma County commissioners responded to COVID-19 using CARES Act funding to stabilize jobs, knowing that most people in central Oklahoma are employed by small businesses. The Small Business Continuity Program, Minority Owned Business Recovery Program, Urban Renewal Authority Small Business Grant Program and the Oklahoma County Small Business and Nonprofit Grants provided $57.75 million to help small businesses and nonprofits meet basic expenses and maintain payroll during the pandemic. We heard from many businesses that the emergency relief helped sustain their business and avoid layoffs.