Economy

What is MAPS?

MAPS is a penny-on-the-dollar sales tax for a certain number of years dedicated to projects determined by the City Council and mayor that must be approved by voters.

Tell us about voting.

You must be a registered voter living inside Oklahoma City limits. If things go as scheduled, the public could get to vote on MAPS 4 this December.

How does it work?

MAPS does not spend money to build projects until the money is collected, resulting in zero debt. Additionally, MAPS has always been overseen by a diverse citizen-advisory panel.

Read more.

– Mick Cornett, Jones PR

Much has been written about the reasons for Oklahoma City’s renaissance. Residents frequently hear about the city’s past outstanding mayors, the non-partisan form of government, the 18-year tenure of City Manager Jim Couch, the Thunder and the transformative success of MAPS.

What doesn’t get mentioned as often as it should, however, is the unique relationship our business leaders and the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber have with city hall. Many municipal governments have highly adversarial relationships with economic development interests, but not here. Our relationship is based on mutual respect, professionalism and a shared desire to be the best.

– Chip Carter, Jones PR

Many Oklahomans forget the importance of the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System (MKARNS). The 445-mile inland waterway system begins at the Tulsa Port of Catoosa, running through Oklahoma and Arkansas all the way to the Mississippi River.

The system was authorized by the 1946 Rivers and Harbors Act, but Congress didn’t appropriate the $1.2 billion until 1956. Robert S. Kerr (D-OK) and John L. McClellan (D-AR) pioneered the development of the system, giving it the name it has today. MKARNS officially opened in December 1970 and is operated by the US Army Corps of Engineers.

– Connie Pearson, Jones PR