grants and sales taxes. According to Andren, McAlester’s workforce itself is a driving force behind these efforts as one portion of residents seem to be entirely drawn to manufacturing as a career industry, while the other portion of residents stand firmly with positions in the retail space. However, laying out the foundation for future economic growth implies laying the groundwork for supporting residential and infrastructural growth. REVITALIZING THE MCALESTER QUALITY OF LIFE McAlester understands that to attract new businesses and encourage investment, the necessary infrastructure and housing must be in place. “We’re in negotiations now on a 200+ housing development… so we can bring people in, skilled labor and workers, to do the jobs that are open,” Andren says. Fortunately, McAlester’s leaders see economic development as something that is intimately tied 95 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 10 MCALESTER, OK
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