The Enid Chamber of Commerce annual Federal Legislative Trip to Washington, D.C. took place from March 24 to 27, 2025. Over twenty attendees participated including Chamber leadership, Mayor David Mason, City of Enid commissioners and staff, and community leaders.

The group had individual meetings with Rep. Frank Lucas, Rep. Kevin Hern, Sen. Markwayne Mullin and Sen. James Lankford to discuss important issues affecting Enid and the region. Topics included priority projects for Vance Air Force Base such as the Squadron Ops Facility, Eisenhower Elementary School, utility upgrades and Woodring Regional Airport improvements that provide Vance mission support. Economic development projects including 66th Street Industrial Park, Kaw Lake Pipeline, Sports Complex, AircoCorp Inc and Bri-Steel were highlighted as well.

A portion of the group met with officials at the Pentagon. The military meetings, which also included an overview of priority projects at Vance, were held with Ms. Robin Beard, Deputy Director, Military Aviation and Installation Assurance Siting Clearinghouse and General David Allvin, Chief of Staff of the Air Force. Enid military liaison, Mike Cooper, provided a summary of proposed state legislation to prevent foreign adversaries from acquiring land close to military installations and military operation zones.

Thank you to all those who attended the legislative trip.

2025 Enid Chamber Legislative Trip Attendees

Mike Riddle, Enid Chamber Chairman-Elect, is chairing the Nominating Committee, as outlined in the Chamber by-laws, to develop a slate of directors to replace the Chamber directors who will be completing their three-year terms on June 30, 2025.

If you have someone you would like to suggest for a Chamber Board nomination, please contact Mike Riddle at miker@cowboy.bank or Jon Blankenship at jon@enidchamber.com by April 8, 2025. The slate of five board nominees will be presented in the May newsletter for approval by the general membership.

Vance Air Force Base (VAFB) has a tremendous impact on Enid’s economy. A large part of the base population consists of enlisted personnel. The Greater Enid Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Committee will host this group for Enlisted Appreciation Night August 23, 2025. The event, established in 1967, is recognized by the Air Force as one of the finest displays of appreciation for enlisted personnel demonstrating community commitment and support for VAFB.

Please consider supporting this extraordinary tradition. We are accepting monetary and prize donations as well as registering volunteers. If you would like to contribute or have any questions, please contact Lori Coonrod at 580.237.2494 or lori@enidchamber.com.

Enlisted Appreciation Sponsorship Form

Starr Lumber Pavilion in the courtyard at Stride Bank Center, March 7, 2025

Buffalo Capital Management, March 12, 2025

The Cole Building featuring Enid Symphony Center, March 14, 2025

Enid Street Outreach Services

112 South Jackson

Enid, Oklahoma 73701

(580)603-4896

enidstreetoutreach@gmail.com

enidsos.org

Rhonda Stevison

Katelyn Culbert

Non-Profit Organization

Martie Oyler -Individual Member

1205 West York

Enid, Oklahoma 73703

martie.oyler@gmail.com

Advantage Eye Care

Champlin Broadcasting Inc.

Chick-Fil-A

Cummings Agency

Dr. Jim Strate

Epic Charter School

KW Realty

Kinnunen Sales & Rental

Leonardos Children's Museum

Oklahoma Gas & Electric

Otoe - Missouria Tribe

Skyway Honda

Waste Connections

Williams Media Group

Youth and Family Services

Enid Chamber of Commerce | phone 580.237.2494 | fax 580.237.2497 | www.enidchamber.com