OKLAHOMA CITY – Most Oklahoma business leaders believe that the state’s economy is headed in the right direction, but they remain concerned about the availability of a skilled workforce as well as the education system’s effectiveness in preparing students for the workforce. This data and more are the findings of the meticulously crafted 2024 Oklahoma Business Leaders Poll, an invaluable resource that provides the latest and most comprehensive insight into the thoughts and opinions of the state’s business community.
The State Chamber, the Oklahoma Business Roundtable, and the State Chamber Research Foundation (SCRF) collaborate each year to produce the Business Leaders Poll (BLP). The annual survey asks business leaders throughout Oklahoma incisive questions about the state of business in Oklahoma, the economy, workforce, and education, as well as emerging issues such as artificial intelligence (AI). The poll’s purpose is to create a comprehensive overview of business leaders’ top concerns and provide a guide for growth to the legislators who shape the state’s economic and business development initiatives. BLP is the only scientific, statewide survey that annually measures business community perspectives. This year’s Business Leaders Poll surveyed 325 business owners and executives across Oklahoma.
A large majority of business leaders are optimistic about the state’s economy, but less so than last year. Sixty-seven percent of those leaders say the state’s economy is heading in the right direction, but that’s a decline from the 70 percent who felt optimistic in 2023. The poll shows that 80 percent of business leaders consider workforce and education to be the most pressing issue impacting business and economic development. The poll also found that 78 percent of those leaders support either reducing or eliminating the state income tax.
“As we’ve seen in the last few years, workforce and education continue to be a top priority for business leaders. They’re struggling to find the workers that they need that have the skills that they need for their business to grow and succeed,” Lepak said. “On top of that, there was strong support among business leaders for pro-growth tax reform, particularly looking at Oklahoma’s individual income tax and trying to move forward on that item as well.”
“The annual Business Leaders Poll reveals encouraging signs about our state’s direction and overall business climate.” said Mark Funke of The Oklahoma Business Roundtable. “However, it also highlights critical areas requiring attention—specifically, taxes, workforce, and education. The feedback from business leaders is clear and presents a roadmap for the work that needs to be done.”
Click here for the full 2024 Oklahoma Business Leaders Poll report.
Media Contact
Brent Skarky- 405-818-1939 brent@okstatechamber.com
