Local, state and military leaders filled the Autry Technology Center lectorium Friday morning for the annual State of the Base address, led by Col. Corey Simmons, 71st Flying Training Wing commander. Over the course of 90 minutes, Simmons discussed strides made at Vance Air Force Base in the last year, thanked fellow airmen and civilian partners in the community for their contributions, listed the big issues holding his attention and laid out what the future [...]

Enid Regional Development Alliance is offering a $5,000 grant to help support small local businesses. Only one will be selected, and any business with six employees or fewer can apply. The MicroEnterprise Grant funding can be put to use "for any expense necessary for the operation, management, formation or expansion of the company," according to ERDA. "Small business owners are an integral part of Enid and economic growth in the community. When running a small [...]

After 34 years in the hospitality industry, managing hotels, restaurants, high-end country clubs, Enid native Rodney Brittain returned home to go into business for himself. He has spent months power washing, hammering, sawing and measuring, turning the old warehouse at 112 E. Cherokee into a restaurant he hopes his hometown will love. Cherokee Ranch Land & Cattle Co. is a dream under development for years, and though it's now only months away from opening, Brittain's [...]

Merry Christmas! As I look back over 2019, it has been a year of laying foundations for many grand openings to come in 2020. Our retail sector is experiencing a re-birth that we have worked towards for a decade. The District is a remarkable example of infill redevelopment. This 18-acre tract will include a Hideaway Pizza, a Colton's Steakhouse, a modern Jiffy Trip, 33,000sf of retail/office space, and space for a movie theater. In addition, the [...]

Harbor Freight Tools still is months away from announcing an opening date, but its future Enid location in the former Kmart building, 4010 W. Garriott, should be ready some time in spring 2020. The California-based tool store chain likely will be joining Tractor Supply Co. as a co-tenant in the nearly 350,000-square-foot building, which is being renovated to accommodate three tenants. Both Harbor Freight and Tractor Supply months ago announced their intention to expand into [...]

Wendy's fast-food restaurant is opening a new location farther east on Garriott, a company official confirmed Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2019. New construction in the 1500 block of West Garriott, on the south side next to McAlister's, is laying the foundation for the new location of the Ohio-based fast food restaurants' chain of 6,500. The restaurant currently is at 606 S. Garland Road at the Garland and Garriott intersection, roughly 3 miles west, just north of [...]