By Roy Madden
Henryetta Chamber of Commerce
Executive Director

The Chamber says Henryetta isn’t dying - it’s just not the same as it used to be!
Have you ever heard someone say that Henryetta is dying and it’s not the same place it used to be when I was growing up! Well part of that is true - Henryetta and other communities are not the same places many people remember when they were growing up; some have experienced prosperity while others experienced greater financial challenges due to reduced revenue streams.
main streetThe reduced revenue can be attributed to many issues. Henryetta’s challenges are complex and are not just a single issue - sure the reduction in industry based jobs, discontinued businesses, a demographic shift, an aging Main Street, and infrastructure issues have taken its toll on the community. However, Henryetta is far from dying it’s just not the same as it used to be!
We have new businesses opening – some from national chains and some from local entrepreneurs, the City is making quality of life and infrastructure improvements that have been needed for several years. We have a quality fire, police, and public works departments that would be the envy of many communities our size. These are all positive aspects of community development.
However, a main element to community development is funding; most people don’t realize that Oklahoma is a unique state when it comes to funding allocations to Cities. Cities in Oklahoma are exempt from receiving any portion of property taxes – no portion of your property tax go to City operations; cities must exist on funding from sales tax and utilities (water/sewage).
Property taxes are dedicated to schools, counties, etc. The state and counties are also in the business of collecting sales tax, in fact, only 4% of the 9.75% sales tax collected in Henryetta goes to the City; it’s amazing how many people don’t realize this fact. Online sales and the lack of tax generated from those sales are having a major impact on cities in Oklahoma; again, cities are funded via sales tax.
The Chamber shares this information with you not to make excuses for any City shortcomings whether perceived or real; however, it is to give you some idea of how the funding streams flow and how important it is to shop locally at every opportunity. With that stated, another element of community development is a non-complicated community plan with realistic, achievable, and reportable goals that are linked to the City’s budget process.
In essence what do we want the City to be and how do we get there? If a city desires to be prosperous it needs to honestly work at looking prosperous and that starts with at a minimum of keeping your community clean (beginning at your front door) and the City working with those that own derelict structures to improve them or remove them. City owned facilities must help set the example by being well maintained and having both an annual and out-year plans to build on improvements – for cities there is no such thing as benign neglect – neglect costs a community’s image.
As Henryettans you are the major players in positive community development; demand more of yourself, your neighborhood, your community, and get involved. Work with your councilman and City management to discuss questions or ideas that you may have to improve the community. Don’t wait on the mystical “they” to do something for you – it is your community and standards will rise or fall based on your vision for the community. Let’s become a community of leaders not complainers; leaders are never satisfied with the status quo - they are always striving to make improvements. As they say in the military “lean forward in the foxhole!”