AGP Executive Report

Manufacturing: Sand Springs-based Webco Industries plans to expand at Port Muskogee, upgrading a port-owned facility and aiming to create up to 100 jobs within six months. The site offers multimodal transport links, including the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System. Industrial Permitting: DEQ is seeking more support for emissions estimates in the proposed Inola aluminum smelter’s air-permit application, while Attorney General Gentner Drummond continues pressing regulators to revise proposed rules. Infrastructure: Oklahoma unveiled an eight-year, $7.3 billion highway and bridge plan, with officials citing inflation’s impact on projects. Agriculture: Braman’s Willow Creek Farms Pantry has opened Oklahoma’s first dedicated gluten-free stone mill, turning locally grown sorghum into flour. Researchers at OSU are also part of a multistate project testing satellite data to guide irrigation as water supplies tighten. Data Centers: Oklahoma residents are raising questions about power costs, cooling and accountability as the facilities’ electricity needs put pressure on grids.

Aerospace & Defense: Oklahoma’s sector generates $52.5 billion in annual economic activity and supports more than 250,000 jobs, officials said at the state aerospace forum. Artemis II astronaut Victor Glover highlighted a Stillwater-made spacecraft control system as one example of local industry’s role. Infrastructure: Oklahoma’s eight-year highway plan totals $7.3 billion. In Muskogee, a $44.7 million project will widen and rebuild 2.5 miles of Highway 69, with work set to begin Halloween weekend. Manufacturing: Webco Industries is expanding at Port Muskogee, bringing a multimillion-dollar investment to the area. Energy Costs: Oklahoma officials are weighing ways to ease diesel costs for farmers, as high fuel prices pressure producers. Utilities: OG&E is seeking a $395 million rate increase, a proposal that could raise costs for households and businesses.

Energy: Devon Energy agreed to sell its Eagle Ford assets to Crescent for $4.2 billion, with proceeds earmarked for debt reduction and share repurchases as Devon focuses on core holdings. Agriculture: Gov. Kevin Stitt asked state agencies to seek relief on red-dyed diesel costs for farmers. Oklahoma’s diesel taxes and fees total about 20 cents per gallon, but the scope and timing of any relief depend on federal approval. Aerospace and Defense: A new state study puts the industry’s annual economic impact at $52.5 billion and says it supports more than 250,000 jobs, making it Oklahoma’s second-largest industry. Utilities: OG&E is seeking a $395 million rate increase, while AARP Oklahoma says older residents want data center developers to cover the cost of serving new facilities. Manufacturing: Webco Industries announced a multimillion-dollar expansion at Port Muskogee. Tribal Business: Oklahoma’s Alabama-Quassarte Tribal Town joined three California tribes in partnering with Kalshi on branded prediction apps, deepening divisions over whether the business opportunity threatens tribal gaming.

Manufacturing: Webco Industries plans a multimillion-dollar expansion at Port Muskogee, upgrading steel-processing equipment and creating up to 10 jobs in its first six months. The Sand Springs tubing maker says the port’s transport links will support growth. Aerospace & Defense: Oklahoma’s sector generates $52.5 billion in annual economic activity and supports more than 250,000 jobs; Tulsa accounts for over $11 billion and nearly 43,000 jobs. Data Centers & Energy: State lawmakers are weighing rules for data centers amid concerns over electricity bills, water use and limited project disclosures. OG&E has separately requested a $395 million rate increase that would add about $23.88 a month to the average residential bill. Tulsa Startups: Ten Latin American-founded companies have relocated to Tulsa through a local recruitment program; one startup says it secured $4 million to expand production of a natural-solvent product.

Aerospace & Defense: Oklahoma’s sector generates $52.5 billion in annual economic activity, supports more than 250,000 jobs and pays $16.6 billion in wages, according to a new state study. Data Centers: Development remains contentious: the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes imposed a three-year ban, while Oklahoma leaders debate regulation, power and water demands. An Oklahoma City campus is also investing in off-grid power. Energy: ONEOK completed its acquisition of Brazos Midstream’s Permian Midland Basin assets, expanding its footprint in a key producing region. Transportation: A new northbound US-75 to westbound I-44 ramp opens in Tulsa as part of a major interchange rebuild expected to continue through 2028. ODOT also approved a $7.3 billion construction plan, with inflation pushing some projects beyond the state’s eight-year schedule. Agriculture: Recent rain offers limited forage growth and improves prospects for wheat pasture, though much of central and western Oklahoma remains below normal rainfall for the year. Turner Public Schools also secured a $15,000 state grant to buy Oklahoma-grown food, including beef.

Aerospace & Defense: Oklahoma’s aerospace and defense industry just got a fresh economic impact boost, with a 2026 study putting annual activity at $52.5 billion and supporting 250,000+ jobs statewide, plus $16.6 billion in payroll. Rural Water: Oklahoma lawmakers heard testimony on persistent rural drinking-water problems, including costly treatment upgrades and long boil orders tied to aging infrastructure. Skilled Trades: More Oklahoma women are entering hands-on skilled trades like automotive tech, welding, HVAC, and electrical work, with training programs pushing career pathways. STEM Pipeline: Science Museum Oklahoma’s Innovation Week brought 1,300 seventh graders to try robotics, electricity, and virtual reality experiments. Transportation & Roads: ODOT scheduled multiple Oklahoma City metro ramp closures and overnight lane restrictions for safety device, guardrail, and surface repairs. Energy & Fuel Policy: Trump’s order expanding tax-free dyed diesel use for highway trucks could ripple into diesel costs for farmers and trucking—an issue Oklahoma producers are watching closely. Food Safety: Flowers Foods recalled Nature’s Own Hawaiian Bread in multiple states, including Oklahoma, due to undeclared milk. Defense Industry Watch: The McAlester Army Ammunition Plant is tied to a partnership to produce warheads for Eric Schmidt’s counter-drone drone systems.

Aerospace & Defense: Oklahoma leaders will release a new, near-decade-late economic impact study on the state’s aerospace and defense industry, tracking growth across public-use airports, major military installations, and off-airport companies. Energy & Agriculture: President Trump signed an executive order easing limits on tax-free red-dyed diesel use, a move aimed at cutting costs for farmers and lowering prices ahead of the midterms. Data Centers & Policy: The Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes approved a three-year data center construction ban, joining other Oklahoma-area tribes weighing moratoriums over water and environmental impacts. Workforce & Skills: Oklahoma Technical College highlights more women entering skilled trades, with students training for automotive and other hands-on careers. Public Safety & Outdoor Recreation: Oklahoma reopened renovated shooting ranges at Lexington and Canton wildlife management areas, expanding public access for hunters and recreational shooters. Food Safety: Recalls expanded for Nature’s Own Hawaiian Bread (undeclared milk) and frozen berry products (possible E. coli), including items sold in Oklahoma.

Healthcare & Politics: Trump says nearly 1 million ACA enrollees will get $500 refund checks, with payments tied to HealthCare.gov fees and a letter attacking the Biden administration—raising fresh “vote-buying” criticism ahead of the Nov. midterms. Fuel & Agriculture: Trump signed an executive order to broaden access to tax-free red-dye diesel for highway use, aiming to cut diesel costs for truckers and farmers. Food Safety: Flowers Foods recalled Nature’s Own Hawaiian Bread in Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas after some packages failed to list milk; no illnesses reported. Oklahoma Infrastructure: ODOT approved a $7.3B 2027-2034 highway/bridge plan, citing inflation and funding limits. Local Governance: Oklahoma County voters will weigh a sales tax to finish and operate a new jail and 60-bed behavioral health center. Aviation & Manufacturing: First Class Air expanded via a partnership with Bristow’s Vertical Aerospace, adding structural repair, engineering and fabricated parts. Energy Courts: The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments on whether energy companies can be held liable for climate-change impacts. Workforce & Industry: Sen. Mary Boren highlighted Hitachi Vantara’s Norman “Lighthouse” recognition, pointing to local training pipelines.

Education & Food Access: Oklahoma’s Expanded Learning Time program is ending after OSDE says USDA flagged compliance issues; about 50 districts, including Turner, will lose the third school-day meal starting Oct. 1, leaving tight budget gaps. Energy & Industry: Stardust Power opened a Houston office to support execution for its battery-grade lithium refinery build in Muskogee, Oklahoma. Oil & Water Protection: A Frontier/ProPublica investigation says an Oklahoma disposal well near Enid was approved in violation of groundwater-protection rules; the operator later plugged the “Flying Monkey” well. Public Health & Retail Compliance: Oklahoma officials warn retailers about kratom products exceeding state potency limits, citing links to dozens of deaths since Jan. 2025. Transportation & Logistics Tech: Blend launched an automated fuel additive dosing system for tankers, aiming to replace manual “splash” blending with more consistent treatment. Tribal Governance: Cheyenne and Arapaho citizens voted for a three-year moratorium on data center construction on tribal lands. Local Business & Workforce: Midwest Dairy CEO Corey Scott was named to lead the national dairy checkoff, overseeing a multi-state dairy farmer base including eastern Oklahoma. Weather & Risk: Oklahoma’s September was nearly 3 degrees hotter than the prior record, with drought and wildfire danger continuing.

Aerospace Education: Oklahoma Space Week is bringing NASA aerospace professionals to students across 12 northeast Oklahoma districts, with school visits and hands-on field trips in Tulsa, Colcord and Stillwater (Oct. 5-9), plus a free community night featuring former astronaut John B. Herrington and NASA engineer Naia Butler-Craig. Energy & Markets: A strong El Niño pattern and record U.S. natural gas production are expected to push winter gas prices lower than last year, with gas-fired power still driving about 40% of U.S. electricity generation. Data Centers & Politics: President Trump defended AI data centers during a midterm stop in Ohio, arguing they can’t be “turned off” and will benefit local communities—an issue drawing bipartisan pushback over electricity, water and land impacts. Tribal Governance: Cheyenne and Arapaho tribal citizens voted for a three-year moratorium on data center construction on tribal lands, citing water, environmental, economic and transparency concerns. Food Safety: Trader Joe’s and Walmart frozen berry products were hit with an expanded E. coli recall, including lots sold in Oklahoma. Local Business/Industry: KIHOMAC announced a $25 million expansion in Oklahoma City.

Rural Tech & Agriculture: NASA Acres brought researchers into Oklahoma’s fields, pairing advanced machinery know-how with sorghum producers and hands-on farm tech training. Data Centers & Policy: Federal tax breaks for rural data centers are drawing mixed reactions, with some expecting fewer moratorium pushes while others question whether local jobs and benefits will really follow. Oklahoma Energy Courts: Oklahoma’s winter storm natural gas pricing fight is moving toward trial after new legal steps, keeping utility and market rules in the spotlight. Public Health: The FDA expanded a frozen-berry recall tied to possible E. coli contamination, including Great Value and Trader Joe’s products sold in Oklahoma. Local Industry & Housing: Tulsa’s City Lights Foundation is nearing completion on a supportive housing project, with community donations helping furnish units for residents. Workforce & Logistics: AWS says it’s ending NDAs with government agencies as data-center transparency pressure grows—an issue Oklahoma policymakers are watching. OMMA Outreach: The Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority launched a statewide community conversation tour to hear local concerns and questions from across the state’s tourism regions.

Oklahoma Energy & Courts: Oklahoma’s winter storm natural gas fight is back on track as a state judge and federal developments push the long-running case toward trial, after customers paid far more during the 2021 crisis. Medical Marijuana Industry: OMMA is taking its statewide Community Conversation tour to let Oklahomans ask questions and weigh in on issues facing the medical marijuana industry, with a McAlester stop on the schedule. Data Centers & Rural Oklahoma: A new data center plan in Mayes County is pitched as a jobs and tax boost for rural communities, while broader debate continues over whether Oklahoma should limit or pause new facilities. Agriculture & Fuel Costs: Diesel prices remain a major pressure point for Oklahoma farmers and ranchers, with states weighing steps to ease costs during peak production. Food Safety: Walmart and Trader Joe’s frozen berry recalls expanded after an E. coli outbreak sickened 17 people, including lots shipped to Oklahoma. Logistics & Tech: OU researchers showed federal partners how autonomous vehicles could improve rural and tribal freight logistics along key corridors. OMMA Community: Volunteers in Tulsa are furnishing new City Lights supportive housing for people moving out of chronic homelessness.

Autonomous Logistics: University of Oklahoma researchers showed federal partners how autonomous cargo carriers could improve freight along Interstate 40 and in rural and tribal areas. Fuel Costs for Agriculture: A Farm Bureau analysis says diesel prices are surging on global supply disruptions, hitting Oklahoma farmers and ranchers who rely on off-highway “farm diesel.” Marijuana Cleanup Costs: Oklahoma communities are grappling with environmental and safety fallout from abandoned marijuana grows after licensing crackdowns reduced thousands of sites. Rural Industry & Jobs: Oklahoma Rural Association is backing Lambda’s planned data center in Mayes County, touting construction jobs and local tax revenue. Energy & Local Control: The fight over a proposed $4 billion aluminum smelter in Inola returned to court as residents press for limits on primary aluminum smelting within town limits. Cattle Community: Payne County Cattle Producers will host its annual Steak Dinner and Trade Show Oct. 22 in Stillwater. Policy Watch: Oklahoma gubernatorial candidates debated education, healthcare, and AI, with ranchers and beef prices also front and center. Legal/Consumer: Iowa AGs moved for court approval of a $400M Sandoz generic-drug settlement over alleged price-fixing and reduced competition.

Energy & Fuel Prices: Oklahoma’s winter storm natural gas fight is moving toward trial after regulators and courts weighed in on how gas was traded and transported during Uri, with customers still paying back billions. Policy & Cost Relief: States including Oklahoma are taking steps to curb diesel and gasoline prices ahead of midterms, from tax suspensions to easing rules around red-dyed diesel. Manufacturing & Jobs: President Trump toured the Peterbilt plant in Denton, Texas, highlighting tariff-driven growth and more than 1,000 jobs at the facility—an industrial signal that resonates across Oklahoma’s trucking and supply chain. Semiconductors & R&D: EMD Electronics opened a new R&D facility in Wisconsin to scale advanced materials for next-gen chip manufacturing, underscoring the broader tech buildout that’s pulling in energy and logistics demand. Healthcare & Consumer Claims: AG Fitch urged eligible consumers to file for compensation tied to the generic drug settlement, keeping pressure on drug pricing practices. Local Business Spotlight: Critter Stop won a national award for its pest-control vehicle wrap, boosting brand visibility across Texas and Oklahoma. OSU Data Use: Oklahoma State University is pushing NSSE results deeper into colleges and units with better internal tools and faculty workshops.

Manufacturing & Jobs: President Trump used a Peterbilt Motors stop in Denton, Texas to tout “America First” manufacturing and tariffs, crediting them with hiring 1,000 workers, while also pushing his claims that gas prices will fall as the Iran conflict cools. Oklahoma Politics: Trump then headed to Oklahoma to rally for GOP gubernatorial candidate Mike Mazzei, with OU donor Harold Hamm spotlighting the “energy renaissance” tied to horizontal drilling. Energy & Industry Policy: A separate push on the campaign trail targeted trucking and manufacturing deregulation, plus a 25% tariff on medium and heavy-duty imported trucks—aimed at boosting domestic production. Healthcare Costs: Oklahoma’s AG Rayfield joined a multistate push seeking court approval of a $400M Sandoz settlement over alleged generic drug price-fixing and reduced competition. Data Centers: Oklahoma lawmakers held a study on regulating data centers amid worries about utility bills, water use, and local moratoriums. Local Governance: Oklahoma County commissioners are seeking voter support for a sales tax on the November ballot to fund a new jail. Oil & Gas: Citizen Energy Ventures says all eight wells tied to its 2025 drilling fund are producing in the Anadarko Basin, with 2026 development continuing in the Cherokee Formation. Workforce & Agriculture: ICE enforcement disruptions in the beef supply chain are again raising alarms about labor stability and potential price impacts. Education & Assessment: OSU is reshaping how it shares NSSE results, moving from broad summaries to unit-specific data and faculty workshops to drive campus change.

Nuclear & Energy: Oklahoma officials shared more details on a proposed DOE nuclear lifecycle innovation campus, describing three “nodes” (reactor deployment/isotope production, enrichment via recycling, and used fuel management) and saying multiple communities want to host; the state is among six finalists, with selections expected by year-end. Local Business & Security: Alert 360 launched DroneDog™, a robotic ground patrol service aimed at large estates and industrial properties where fixed cameras or aerial drones can’t cover gaps. Real Estate & Finance: The Oklahoma Department of Securities sued Vesta Realty and CEO Marc Kulick, alleging the firm failed to turn over subpoenaed internal documents tied to investor communications. Critical Materials: USA Rare Earth completed its CEO succession plan, reorganizing operations into upstream, midstream, and downstream units to strengthen execution across the rare-earth value chain. Tech/Manufacturing: Ten-Nine Technologies expanded in China via a distribution partnership with Shanghai Jiaohang Trading to commercialize its battery nano-additive TENIX. Policy/Health: Michigan AG Dana Nessel urged consumers to file claims in a multistate settlement over allegedly inflated generic drug prices. Politics/Industry: Sen. James Lankford said he’ll travel with President Trump to a Durant rally, with voters’ concerns including gas prices and beef imports.