Official expects state economic 'explosion'

A labor shortage and supply chain disruptions continue to hamper Oklahoma’s economy as it tries to shrug off the lingering effects of COVID-19, but the state’s top economic development officer says he expects “some pretty big explosions in GDP over the next couple of years.”

“Personally, I’m very bullish on where we’re headed as a state, mainly because I’m seeing the companies that are going to grow here and the ones that are wanting to locate here,” Oklahoma Department of Commerce Executive Director Brent Kisling told a legislative panel.

Kisling was one of more than a dozen people called upon during a marathon meeting of legislators given the job of coming up with recommendations for spending almost $1.8 billion in American Rescue Plan funds.

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