Jan. 12, 2006 – Emerging out of the Oklahoma dust overnight during the land run, Enid today represents the economic, social, medical, political, and educational hub of northwest and north central Oklahoma. And according to Barbara Corcoran Productions, a television production company, Enid ranks as one of the nation’s top five “up and coming areas.”

Featured Wednesday on ABC’s “Good Morning” America, Enid earned the company’s annual distinction because of real estate values and quality of life issues. In total, 3,700 communities vied for a spot among the top five touting their location, desirability, new developments, and average home prices and the percentage of increase over the last two years.

According to Jon Blankenship, president and CEO of the Greater Enid Chamber of Commerce, Patty Probasco—an Enid realtor with Coldwell Banker Realty III, submitted Enid to a national data system monitored by Corcoran.

In telling Enid’s story, Blankenship and Probasco stressed the communitywide commitment to revitalizing the downtown area—now populated with specialty shops and dining experiences—through the Main Street program.

Probasco says Enid first crossed Corcoran’s radar screen when a mutual business acquaintance at Fox Network noticed a real estate listing on the Internet and shared their amazement with Corcoran at the low prices per square foot being offered in the area.

“She told me they all live in shoe boxes in New York City by comparison,” Probasco says. “They all want to move to Enid. Real estate is the prime driver, but they do like to know about some of the other perks we offer.”

Those other perks include:

• Vance Air Force Base, which during operating hours represents the nation’s third busiest airport, recently added a National Guard and Reserve Center stimulating job growth.
• Advance Food Company, already one of the community’s major employers, recently announced plans to add at least 500 jobs.
• Enid Public Schools and the independent school districts in Garfield County are recognized for their academic excellence.
• Autry Technology Center, Northwest Oklahoma State University, and Northern Oklahoma College offer associate, bachelor, and master degrees as well as many customized training and other services for the area’s employers.
• The Chisholm Trail Expo Center includes an enclosed 100,000-square-foot pavilion with meeting and banquet facilities and a concession area that can service business, trade, livestock, and farm and machinery shows. The Coliseum provides seating for up to 9,000 and is designed to accommodate major entertainment events.
• The Cherokee Strip Conference Center, located on the downtown square, blends the historic with the contemporary to create a dynamic environment for conferences, trade shows, and seminars. The 11,000-square-foot Pioneer Exhibit Hall divides into three independent exhibit areas and eight meeting rooms.
• Enid also offers a symphony orchestra, the NOC Community Band, a gaslight theater, and seven golf courses.
• A day’s drive takes sight seekers to some of the state’s best wineries, the Glass Mountains, and Alabaster Caverns State Park.