Oklahoma Welcomes New Manufacturing Plants And Job Growth In 2025

As we roll close to Independence Day, 2025 appears to be shaping up nicely for Oklahoma. Most notably, the various announcements we've had about new big businesses and job opportunities headed to the Sooner State.

The big news.

CBC Global Ammunition announced earlier this year that they're opening a new manufacturing plant up in Pryor. A $300 million investment that could represent up to 350 new jobs.

Kratos Defense has announced a new manufacturing and test facility in Bristow. This has the potential for 60 new jobs initially, but adds +/-45 additional new jobs as they build and start each new assembly line they have planned.

Valkarie Systems is planning a new manufacturing facility in OKC for their line of military and defense drone platforms, initially expected to create +/-350 new high-paying jobs in Oklahoma.

Firehawk Aerospace has announced a new facility in Lawton to manufacture and test rocket fuels in SWOK.

Small business is booming in the Sooner State too.

There are quite a few mid-teir nationally scaled businesses headed to Oklahoma too. Of course, the rumor of a Buc-ee's coming to Chickasha is a persistent and unconfirmed rumbling, but Andretti Indoor Karting & Games is opening next month in OKC. If you've been to one, this is a fun one.

Photo by Aiman Bahrin on Unsplash

The takeaways.

Everything is cyclical, especially in Oklahoma - home of the original boom and bust lifestyle.

As it appears, Oklahoma is on the up right now. That's something to be thankful for.

Oklahoma's 25 Largest Employers

Too many people think all they'll ever find is yet another dead-end job. Here's a quick list from the Oklahoma Department of Commerce featuring the twenty-five largest employers in Oklahoma who are always looking to hire good people.

Gallery Credit: Kelso

Where Should Buc-ee's Build Their First Oklahoma Location?

With Buc-ee's being back on the expansion bandwagon, Oklahomans are feeling like we're due for our first location... but where should the beaver conglomerate start in the Sooner State?

After compiling information from social media, here's a quick rundown on the locations Okies think would be a perfect fit for 24/7 hot brisket on the board.

Gallery Credit: Kelso

Oklahoma's Highest Rated Steakhouses

Being a Top-5 cattle producer, you might expect to find a great steak on the menu of nearly every restaurant in the state, but life is never that simple or easy. The biggest hurdle isn't a lack of steak options on menus, it's the variation of personal tastes that drives reputations and reviews, but here are the steakhouses most Oklahomans can agree on.

Gallery Credit: Kelso