Mayor addresses economic development foundation
Mayor Mike Brown said life is good in Weatherford during the recent Weatherford Economic Development Foundation meeting Wednesday.
“Things really are at a high here in Weatherford and in Custer County,” Brown said. “We’re trying to take advantage of that as far as things we are doing.”
For six out of the last seven monthly tax reports, Weatherford has brought in more than $1 million in sales tax, something Brown thinks will become the new normal.
“I think that’s our new number,” he said. “We really are at a peak, and we’re hoping with some of the new businesses opening up it can continue to grow.”
While Brown did admit some of the increase is due to inflation, Weatherford still has shown much growth. He said it wasn’t long ago when Weatherford and Clinton were bringing in about $500,000 to $600,000 in sales tax while Elk City brought in more than a million every month.
Now, while Clinton and Elk City are bringing in the same numbers, Weatherford has nearly doubled its tax revenue. Contributing to that growth is the nearly 2,000 people gained in the last 10 years and the number of businesses which have moved into Weatherford — some of which came as a surprise.
“We’ve been fortunate to get some of the things we have,” Brown said. “When Walgreens came to town, we didn’t meet the criteria for a Walgreens. When the Fairfield Inn came to town, we really didn’t meet the criteria for Marriott. We have the new Hilton Inn coming to town, but we really don’t meet those criteria. We have Starbucks. We don’t meet the criteria. But they all are coming here and have success.”
Brown said the success of these major chain businesses will help to draw even more businesses into town.
Projects and events around town
One of the more interesting projects right now is the spacethemed public park and outdoor museum which will be built near the Stafford Air and Space Museum.
Plans still are in the works, but ideas include a playground, pavilion, bathrooms, walking trail, splash pad and miniature golf. Brown said the city even is looking at purchasing a used train from the Oklahoma City Zoo, although nothing is guaranteed right now.
“We don’t know if we’ll do it, but we’re always trying to think of something which will be fun for the people who live here and will draw people to Weatherford,” he said.
Brown also said Heritage Park, while not completely finished, already has become a drawing point for those traveling Route 66. He said the artist in charge of the wind blade mural said many people have stopped and commented on the on the feature — and it’s not even completed.
“We’re hoping in time it will become a stopping spot,” Brown said. “The artist doing the painting has said many people traveling Route 66 have visited with her and marked it (Heritage Park) down as a place to come back the future.”
Work on the Vietnam Wall replica, which will be placed in front of the wind blade at Heritage Park, has been delayed. Work is scheduled to begin in December but no later than January.
Bids for the new police department building/911 center will be sent out in February.
Grant application results for the Weatherford Municipal Pool will be available late December or early January. The EDA grant for the Stafford Air & Space Museum Park is due in January .
Work on the new airport terminal should begin in December.
December 3, Gov. Kevin Stitt will be attending the annual WAEDF appreciation luncheon.