Business & Industry Issues | OK State Chamber Research Foundation

When deciding where to locate or expand, companies consider numerous factors including a state’s tax policies, regulations, legal climate and cost of labor. While Oklahoma has made marked improvements in recent years, our business climate is still lacking in many areas. Our research highlights key business data, assesses the economic impact of various industries and identifies ways to encourage growth.

Visualizing Oklahoma: Oklahoma's Monthly Unemployment Rate

Labor Market

May 12, 2019

View an interactive data visualization comparing Oklahoma's monthly unemployment rate to the national rate between 1978 and 2019.

Visualizing Oklahoma: Employment by Industry in Oklahoma

Labor Market

May 12, 2019

View an interactive visualization that compares employment numbers by Oklahoma industry between 2008 and 2018.

Issue Brief: Occupational Licensing Burdens

February 21, 2019

Occupational licensing has grown to be one of the most onerous barriers to entering the workforce in the United States. In the early 1950s, less than five percent of workers were licensed by a state to do his or her job. As of 2018, 19% of workers were licensed nationwide. While a license is warranted for some occupations, many states have unnecessarily placed burdensome licensing requirements on occupations that have little connection to public safety. This issue brief looks at the burden of licensing in Oklahoma and the occupational licensing reform efforts currently underway.

Report: Economic Impact of the Oklahoma Manufacturing Sector

November 28, 2018

The manufacturing sector has been a key driver in strengthening Oklahoma’s economy and manufacturing jobs have thrived in the state in recent years. This study examines and predicts the underlying economic impacts of the manufacturing sector on Oklahoma’s economy.