Q3
2026
TULSA’S
FUTURE
THE TULSA REGIONAL CHAMBER’S KEY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES
BUSINESS EXPANSIONS AND NEWS Sofidel | Inola, OK
Sofidel, an Italy-based company and the world’s fifth-largest tissue paper manufacturer, is investing $775 million in its Inola operations, creating 185 new jobs bringing the job total to 740 and expanding its footprint by roughly 1 million square feet. Sofidel’s new total footprint at the Port of Inola will reach about 3 million square feet. The Tulsa Regional Chamber first recruited Sofidel to the region in 2014, building a trusted relationship with the company’s owners and U.S. leadership over more than a decade. Sofidel manufactures private-label napkins, toilet paper, paper towels and tissue products for customers across the United States.
Park Aerospace | Tulsa, OK
Park Aerospace is investing $65 million in a new advanced composite materials facility at Tulsa International Airport. The 18-acre development is expected to create 100+ jobs. The facility will produce high-performance composite materials, specialty adhesives and engineered structures supporting commercial aerospace, defense, space and military aircraft applications.
Manna Air Delivery | Tulsa, OK
Manna, an Irish technology company specializing in autonomous drone delivery, announced Tulsa as its U.S. manufacturing base. The investment will support the company’s growing U.S. operations and expand its manufacturing and aviation footprint in the region.
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Positioning the Tulsa region in high-value industry conversations and national platforms.
Farnborough International Airshow | United Kingdom
In July, the Tulsa Regional Chamber’s economic development team represented the Tulsa region at the Farnborough International Airshow in the United Kingdom, connecting with global aerospace and defense leaders and advancing opportunities for investment, partnerships and expansion. The premier international event provided a platform to showcase Tulsa’s 250+ aerospace and defense companies, 43,000+ industry employees and world-class manufacturing ecosystem to a global audience.
Area Development Spring Consultants Forum | New Orleans, LA
The economic development team attended this June event that convened leading site selection consultants, corporate real estate advisors and economic development professionals to discuss trends shaping corporate location decisions and business investment. It is valuable for economic developers because it provides direct access to site selectors, insights into emerging location trends and opportunities to build relationships that can support future business recruitment and retention efforts.
Marketing Trip | Dallas, TX
The team also hosted a two-day marketing trip in June with regional partners, meeting with site location consultants across a full schedule. Central to the Chamber’s business attraction strategy, these initiatives help us understand shifting industry trends, company priorities and what it takes to stay competitive. Maintaining a strong presence with consultants ensures the region remains part of the conversation, hears about projects before formal RFPs (requests for proposals) are released and gains insights to refine and strengthen their approach.
Southern Economic Development Council | Bonita Springs, FL
The Tulsa Regional Chamber attended the Southern Economic Development Council (SEDC) 2026 Annual Conference, connecting with economic development professionals, regional leaders and site consultants from across the country to exchange best practices, explore industry trends and strengthen relationships that support regional growth.
Engagement for Foreign Investment | Tulsa, OK
The economic development team hosted two contractors selected to support Oklahoma’s new Asia trade office in Taiwan. Their role will be to help strengthen investment and trade relationships between Oklahoma and key Asian markets, including Taiwan, South Korea and Japan while also supporting Oklahoma companies seeking opportunities abroad. In coordination with the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, they organized a familiarization tour during their visit to Tulsa and shared insights about the region’s business climate, industry strengths and economic development opportunities.
DRIVE LOCAL BUSINESS GROWTH
Advancing a pro-business, growth-oriented mindset.
Technology Council Meeting | June 2026
The Chamber’s Technology Council convened at WeStreet Ice Center and spotlighted Tulsa-based innovators Xalter and Infinite Composites. Leaders from both companies shared their growth stories and highlighted partnerships with major organizations, including Williams, Devon Energy, NASA and the U.S. military.
Aerospace Council Meeting | June 2026 The Chamber’s Aerospace Council held its meeting at CymSTAR, a manufacturer of flight simulators in Broken Arrow. The meeting focused on workforce training programs for touch-labor positions in the aerospace industry. A tour of CymSTAR’s new flight simulator was available at the end of the meeting. Roughly 35 representatives from the aerospace industry attended the meeting.
Mayor Roundtable Luncheons | Summer 2026
The Tulsa Regional Chamber held several Mayor Roundtable Luncheons throughout the summer that brought together the City of Tulsa’s mayor and business leaders from professional services, energy and advanced manufacturing industries. Conversations focused on the city’s economic priorities, opportunities and challenges. The roundtables create a platform for industry leaders to share perspectives, build connections and collaborate on strategies that support Tulsa’s continued growth and competitiveness.
WORKFORCE & TALENT DEVELOPMENT
Work-based learning initiatives are critical to building a ready workforce of the future.
918 Talent | Tulsa, OK
The economic development team convened 70 interns, HR professionals, employers, education partners, tribal nations and workforce organizations for a networking-focused forum. The event connected employers with emerging talent through speed networking, showcased six regional workforce organizations and increased awareness of local talent pipelines while fostering meaningful relationships between employers and the next generation of talent.
State of Workforce and Talent | July 2026
The topic of this year’s State of Workforce and Talent was emerging industries. It featured a keynote address from Hogan Assessments’ Chief Science Officer Ryne Sherman. Panel discussions covered employers and educational institutes exploring AI, cybersecurity, space and other emerging industries shaping the Tulsa region’s workforce. Industry and education leaders provided insight into emerging technologies, future workforce needs and collaborative strategies to strengthen the region’s talent pipeline.
THOUGHT LEADERSHIP IN ACTION Sharing insights, shaping conversations.
News On 6 Interview | Tulsa, OK
The Tulsa Regional Chamber Economic Development team joined News On 6 to discuss the Tulsa region’s continued economic momentum, from major corporate investments and job creation to the strategies positioning the region for longterm growth. The segment highlighted the collaborative efforts behind attracting new investment, supporting existing businesses and strengthening Tulsa’s competitive position on the national stage.
Select Oklahoma | Edmond, OK
At August’s Select Oklahoma Conference, members of the economic development team presented “Turning Site Visits into Project Momentum,” sharing practical strategies for planning FAM (familiarization) tours and site visits that create meaningful experiences and help move projects forward. The conference also provided a valuable opportunity to connect with economic development partners and peers from across Oklahoma, exchange ideas and strengthen relationships that support collective work.
REGIONAL PARTNERSHIP
Working together to strengthen the region, accelerate growth and create new opportunities.
Tulsa Regional Partner Meeting | June 2026
The Tulsa Regional Partner meeting was hosted by the City of Glenpool, where they enjoyed a great opportunity to connect with partners and learn more about the community’s history, growth and vision for the future. Attendees heard updates on upcoming plans and developments shaping Glenpool, while the Tulsa Regional Chamber’s team shared updates on regional business development efforts and marketing strategies aimed at new opportunities and talent for the Tulsa region.