The Duncan Banner

Local News

January 6, 2013

Economic improvements discussed at Chamber breakfast

Derrick Miller The Duncan Banner

DUNCAN — For individuals and entities, 2013 is an opportunity for progress.

During Thursday’s Duncan Chamber of Commerce & Industry community breakfast, entity representatives provided updates and forthcoming information about where their organizations are headed for the new year.

Among those looking forward to a positive year was Lyle Roggow, Duncan Area Economic Development Foundation president. Roggow said 2012 was a successful year in the Duncan community, and he hopes that success can maintain throughout 2013.

“We’ve been very, very blessed as we move forward,” Roggow said. “We may see the rest of the nation will pick up and catch up with Oklahoma.”

Roggow made mention of the positive economic impact the City of Duncan saw in 2012, including the addition of Applebee’s to the restaurant selection.

He’s expecting to see more economic expansion for Duncan in 2013. He said there are several businesses and companies looking to possibly expand into Duncan, although nothing is definite.

“Not until shovel hits dirt,” Roggow said about the proposed companies being definite.

Aside from DAEDF, the City of Duncan is also looking forward to improving in 2013.

Mayor Gene Brown provided an update on what’s happening in the city. He started by briefly discussing a proposed recycling program through South Central Oklahoma Environmental Authority, which represents the trash collection interests of Duncan, Marlow and Comanche residents. SCOEA has been discussing this program for several months and the authority will meet Monday to move toward a conclusion on the topic.

Brown also discussed street improvements, noting this was one of the biggest items that people bring up to council members. He said there are plans to improve about 250 street segments throughout the city.

In addition to these improvements, Brown said there have been and will be more improvements to recreational outlets for the city, including the proposed addition of splash pads at a few parks, including Douglass Pool.

He said there have also been improvements to the Duncan Public Library.

Jay Johnson, Duncan Regional Hospital chief executive officer, said the hospital was one of three Oklahoma hospitals to receive an A rating for patient safety and the only Oklahoma hospital to do it two years consecutively. (See Page 2B in today’s paper for the story)

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