
Aug 27, 2022
The Claremore Daily Progress
There’s a process to bringing new businesses to town
Rogers County has historically ranked as one of the top five fastest-growing counties in Oklahoma. As a result, over the past 24 months, we have celebrated the opening of several new dining options, and entertainment venues, including an escape room and axe throwing, as well as national retail establishments. The surge of interest for development in our retail sector is not slowing. These and other recent announcements serve as a catalyst for future growth and development interest.
One of our team’s most asked questions is, “Can Claremore get a (insert your favorite restaurant, shopping option, etc)?” By answering this question, we have an opportunity to share the criteria that the national business sector looks for when choosing Claremore as the home for a new operation and the efforts we can take to attract specific dining and shopping destinations to our community.
When considering a site for a new retail endeavor, some of the most prominent decision factors include local population, average household income, the number of rooftops, and proximity to established locations under the same chain or ownership group. When looking at Claremore or Rogers County, the business wants to know how many people are within a certain driving distance and their annual income. As Rogers County continues to have a greater density, as is found within the recently approved planned residential developments and the major highway construction projects, Claremore’s position as a candidate for national retail expansion improves.

In addition, our community must continue investing in its infrastructure, educational opportunities, varied housing options, and quality of life amenities to increase our standing as a prime retail destination. The recent growth in the Claremore Industrial Park should have a net increase in our total population. We need places for these new employees to call home, amenities to enjoy and a robust education system to support a healthy talent pipeline. Announcements of a new residential development, training programs at Rogers State University and Northeast Tech, or company expansions, support our county’s ability to potentially one day attract that restaurant or store location desired.
The Claremore Industrial and Economic Development Authority is proud to partner with Rogers County for retail attraction and recruitment efforts. To help strategically market our area to interested businesses, CIEDA partners with a national retail consultant, Retail Strategies. Their support has been responsible for helping to attract dining and shopping options we enjoy today, such as Aldi and Wendy’s.
As we look to the future, our team remains committed to showcasing Rogers County as the premier destination to live, work and do business, in addition to supporting those businesses who already call our community home. There are exciting things on the horizon for Claremore, and I am honored to play a small role in shaping the future of our community.
Have a wonderful weekend, and don’t forget to spend and invest your dollars in Claremore!
Meggie Froman-Knight
CIEDA Executive Director
Rogers County, Oklahoma

About Retail Strategies
Retail Strategies is the national expert in recruiting businesses and strategically developing communities. Our mission is to provide the real estate expertise, tools, and human effort that position deserving towns as alluring locations for national businesses and destinations for tourism and quality-of-life amenities. We confidently pursue this mission by delivering unparalleled customer service as a unified team with unmatched real estate and community development expertise. Our activities pay a return in sales taxes, added jobs, and businesses that enhance and add to the unique qualities of your community.