Tulsa’s Future: The Road Ahead

Tulsa’s Future 2016 - 2020

In its third multi-year phase, Tulsa's Future, the regional economic development partnership led by the Tulsa Regional Chamber, made great strides to drive economic prosperity across northeast Oklahoma. The plan was designed to enhance the Tulsa region as a place for high-value growth and flourishing communities, and to make Tulsa a model for quality and sustainable development. The goals of Tulsa’s Future III included:

• Create 12,500 jobs with annual wage above $50,000
• Generate $1.1 billion of capital investment
• Assist 150 businesses 

As of 2020, the accomplishments of Tulsa’s Future far exceeded expectations. Tulsa’s Future III:

• Created 61,400+ … more than half with an annual salary of $50,000+
• Generated $1.9 billion of capital investment
• Assisted over 700 businesses opening or expanding. 

It is clear Tulsa’s Future, along with its private investors and regional and tribal partners are hard at work to make Tulsa a better, sustainable, and equitable city. And our work doesn’t stop here.

Tulsa’s Future: Acceleration

As we forge ahead, Tulsa’s Future will continue to build upon our solid foundation in the advanced manufacturing, aerospace, defense, energy, and transportation and logistics sectors, as they are integral to our economy.

Tulsa’s Future will also target three main sectors with boundless growth and job creation potential:

• Automotive Technology
• Regional Headquarters
• Advanced Aerial Mobility

We believe these three vital contributors will considerably enhance Tulsa’s economy by 2030.

Automotive Technology

The automotive industry is pivoting toward electric vehicles (EVs). Total EV sales are expected to grow from 2.5 million in 2020 to 31.1 million by 2030. This presents a new opportunity for regions like ours to build an automotive corridor. 

The Northeast Oklahoma Automotive Corridor would not focus solely on vehicle manufacturing. It would include OEM assembly plants, parts suppliers, and battery technology sites. The automotive corridor has 11 mega sites, ready for purchase. 

Regional Headquarters

The Tulsa region boasts of having one Fortune 35, two Fortune 500, and three Fortune 1000 companies in our region. We aim to grow these numbers. 

We have over 1.2 million square feet of available class A office space. Our lease rates are much lower compared to other high-growth markets like Austin and Dallas.

Advanced Aerial Mobility

Advanced aerial mobility (AAM) is an emerging industry that will change the way we move cargo and people. With Tulsa’s deep ties to the aerospace and aviation industry, AAM is an opportunity to capitalize on existing strengths and leverage local talent. 

Though the aircrafts are electric, this industry alone could create 280,000 jobs, generating over $30 billion in worker wages and benefits by 2035. 

We’re Here for You

Through innovation and collaboration, Tulsa’s Future: Acceleration will continue to drive northeast Oklahoma forward. Our team is ready and able to support existing business growth, bring new investment to the region, and grow the next generation of talent.