House Speaker Kyle Hilbert and fellow members of the Oklahoma House Republican Caucus packed their bags and paid a visit to Ardmore, continuing their state-wide Capitol to Community tour. The initiative, which strives to bridge the gap between state leaders and the Oklahoman communities they serve, centered around Ardmore to absorb its local flavors, tackle its challenges, and spotlight its economic prowess.
In a day marked by back-to-back engagements, the legislators received briefings from Ardmore's top brass—a lineup that included City Manager Kevin Boatright and the Chamber President & CEO Bill Murphy. The tour featured a close-up of the city's beating heart, the Depot District and the downtown areas, where the seeds of revitalization and the fruits of small business growth were readily apparent to any passerby.
"The Capitol to Community series allows us to spend meaningful time in cities across Oklahoma, seeing firsthand the partnerships that make our state stronger," said Speaker Kyle Hilbert in a statement obtained by the Oklahoma House website. True to these words, the tour unveiled the entrepreneurial spirit and educational investments that set Ardmore apart. With talks from Steve Rhines, the President and CEO of the Noble Research Foundation, and Jake Foster, the CEO of Kerr Pumps, the visitors got a crash course on Ardmore's contributions to research, innovation, and workforce development.
The day's second half threw the spotlight on some of Ardmore's key players, including the Michelin plant and the Ardmore Industrial Airpark, where the state legislators toured with local employers like DOT Foods and studied the synergy between education and infrastructure. The day wound down with a panel addressing mental and community health, where Jessica Pfau, CEO of Lighthouse Behavioral Wellness Centers, and Daryle Voss, President and CEO of Mercy Ardmore shared their insights.
Representative Tammy Townley, R-Ardmore, highlighted the importance of the event in showcasing the city's progress. "Ardmore is a community that never stops moving forward," Rep. Townley told the Oklahoma House website. The Capitol to Community tour has its sights set on Lawton and Guthrie for its forthcoming destinations, hoping to replicate the success and the connections made in Ardmore.
