Elected officials across the region have expressed their support for the transmission infrastructure improvements, with area counties, cities, and local chambers recognizing the economic benefits and passing resolutions in support of these upgrades.
State Senator Casey Murdock noted the significant economic benefits of this increased reliability to the region, saying, “Reliable transmission service not only helps attract new industry but also encourages existing companies to stay and potentially expand.”
State Representative Kenton Patzkowsky added, “These investments increase reliability and are one of the necessary precursors to bolstering economic growth. These benefits extend to agriculture, industry, healthcare, and commercial interests. It is impossible to overstate the importance of reliable electric service to this area, and we applaud TCEC and GridLiance for stepping in to help our local economy and the residents of the Panhandle.”
A number of existing commercial and agricultural businesses across the region have also expressed their appreciation, issuing strong letters of support.
Jada Breeden, the executive director of the Guymon Chamber of Commerce says when businesses are looking to move into a region, certain attributes and resources are vital, and one of those is reliable electric service.
"TCEC’s work with GridLiance not only injected significant dollars into the economy of the Oklahoma Panhandle but also results in the Panhandle being a more desirable location for attracting and retaining industry," Breeden says.
Eric Depperschmidt of the Panhandle Regional Economic Development Coalition Inc. added, “PREDCI’s role is to promote industrial and economic development for all of the Oklahoma Panhandle region. Such promotion includes supporting long term planning and development of a continued reliable electric infrastructure. This new investment will assist with sustaining existing businesses and industry as well as recruiting new commerce into the Oklahoma Panhandle. The investments by TCEC and GridLiance into the Panhandle electric infrastructure will have a significant impact in the region and will assist with creating future economic opportunities.”