The Oklahoma Department of Commerce is celebrating a successful conclusion to the 2025 legislative session. At the start of the session, Commerce was tracking over 100 bills that would directly impact the agency, with a focus on making Oklahoma the most business-friendly state in the country. During session, the agency also supported the largest period of announced job growth in state history.
“Now more than ever, companies around the world are lining up, wanting to do business with Oklahoma,” said Evan Brown, Executive Director of EDGE. “A lot of that has to do with the work Governor Stitt and the legislature do every session to create a business-friendly environment. When we all work together to grow jobs, increase capital investment and improve Oklahoma’s economy, amazing things happen.”
In addition to legislative and economic development success, the Oklahoma Senate confirmed Secretary of Commerce Deborah Moorad and Commerce CEO John Budd. Their leadership has played a key role in guiding the agency through a transformative period of growth.
“It’s an honor to serve as the Secretary of Commerce for the great state of Oklahoma,” said Secretary Moorad. “Oklahoma has so much momentum right now, and I look forward to building on that success with our team, our partners and the leadership across our state.”
“Our job is clear, make Oklahoma the best place to start and grow a business,” said CEO Budd. “I’m proud of the work we’re doing and grateful for the Senate’s confidence in our leadership and vision for the state’s economic future.”
Commerce also saw unprecedented job growth during session, including the most successful month of economic development in state history based on publicly announced job creation. Not only did several companies announce plans to expand operations into Oklahoma, but more than 200 companies already operating in the state announced plans to grow, creating more than 1,100 jobs.
Announced expansions include:
- April 24: Dollar Tree announces announces plans to rebuild its distribution center in Marietta, OK, creating 400 jobs.
- May 6: Commerce announces winners of the Oklahoma Innovation Expansion Program (OIEP), supporting the creation of 967 jobs across various sectors and dozens of communities.
- May 12: CBC Global Ammunition selects Oklahoma for a new manufacturing facility, adding 350 jobs.
- May 15: Emirates Global Aluminium announces a $4 billion aluminum production plant, choosing Oklahoma as the site for its U.S. operations, creating 1,000 new jobs.
- May 28: Firehawk announces plans to expand operations with a manufacturing facility and test infrastructure in Lawton-Fort Sill, creating 100 high-paying jobs.
“Our mission at the Department of Commerce is to cultivate environments and relationships that foster economic growth,” said Heather Turner, Deputy CEO and Executive Director of CORE. “Not only are we after the big fish, but 70% of our incentives go to support existing Oklahoma companies and communities. We want to invest in business that have invested in our state.”
Legislation impacting Oklahoma Commerce includes:
- HB 2781: Creates the “Reindustrialize Oklahoma Act” which paves the way for Emirates Global Aluminium to build the first aluminum production plant in the U.S. in 45 years.
- SB 209: Creates the Taiwan Regional Trade Office.
- HB 2110: Creates the “Bringing Sitcoms Home from Hollywood Pilot Program,” to promote live episodic television productions being recorded in Oklahoma.
- HB 2374: Makes improvements to the “Filmed in Oklahoma Act,” which has generated a $531 million economic impact for the state.
- HB 1571: Removes the expiration date for the Oklahoma Route 66 Commission, guaranteeing grant funding for projects on the historic highway for years to come.
