Can you believe we are already in March? The first part of the year has been a whirlwind of activity. Between team transition, ribbon cuttings, and legislative engagement, the Greater Enid Chamber has been hard at work on behalf of our members and the broader Enid community.

This month, we want to intentionally recognize three audiences that play a meaningful role in the strength and stability of our local economy. First, our enlisted personnel at Vance Air Force Base. We were honored to celebrate approximately 160 enlisted airmen at our annual Enlisted Appreciation Night, recognizing their critical support of the Vance mission. Thank you to our sponsors and donors who helped make the evening special. As several attendees shared, “For all the bases I’ve been to, I’ve never seen an event like this.” We are proud to support the men and women who serve our country and strengthen our community.

We also want to acknowledge our agricultural community during the Northwest Junior District Livestock Show at the Garfield County Expo Center. With more than 750 animals shown, this longstanding event celebrates youth achievement while bringing families, visitors, and activity to local businesses — contributing to our regional economy. The Chamber values its history with the NWJDLS and looks forward to continued partnership, especially as we recognize the resilience of agricultural producers navigating recent challenges across western Oklahoma.



Finally, we are preparing for Enid Day at the Capitol on March 24 at the Oklahoma State Capitol. We appreciate our legislative delegation’s advocacy for Enid and Northwest Oklahoma and encourage interested participants to register using the link below for updates. We also appreciated Governor Kevin Stitt’s visit to Enid and the opportunity to showcase the great strong work and progress taking place in our community.

Spring brings continued opportunity for engagement and collaboration. Thank you for your partnership, your engagement, and your investment in a strong economic climate and quality of life for the greater Enid area. 

The Greater Enid Chamber of Commerce proudly hosted Enlisted Appreciation Night on February 21, 2026, continuing a meaningful tradition of honoring the enlisted men and women serving at Vance Air Force Base.

Approximately 160 enlisted personnel attended this year’s event, enjoying an evening of food, drinks, and camaraderie. With the support of 20 volunteers and 15 officers serving as blackjack dealers, enlisted members competed for trophies and bragging rights in a spirited tournament that symbolically reverses daily roles — allowing officers and community leaders to serve them for the night.

Guests were also entered into prize drawings featuring a wide variety of giveaways, including gift certificates, cash prizes ranging from $25 to $100, a premier camping set, two deep freezers filled with Tyson products, and a 55” television. Every enlisted member in attendance had the opportunity to win.

Base leadership expressed deep appreciation, noting they had not seen this many enlisted airmen gather on a weekend to connect and have fun. Leaders also shared that events like this — where the community so visibly supports enlisted personnel — are rare across other installations.



Since 1967, Enlisted Appreciation Night has highlighted the strong partnership between Enid and Vance. The Chamber extends sincere thanks to its generous sponsors and volunteers whose monetary and prize donations make this special evening possible each year.

The Enid Chamber was proud to welcome Governor Kevin Stitt to Enid February 27 as part of his 2026 County Tour of Oklahoma, with an intimate luncheon with Chamber members, community leaders, and state officials at Enid Brewing Co. & Eatery.



Governor Stitt reflected on his time in office and engaged in conversation with local business leaders on issues impacting Oklahoma. We appreciate the opportunity for direct dialogue and thoughtful discussion in our beautiful downtown square.

The afternoon concluded with tours of Sidwell Distribution and Chisholm Trail Milling - an impressive farm-to-table ecosystem operating right here in Enid and serving all of Oklahoma. Opportunities like this reflect the Chamber’s role in convening leaders, elevating local business, and ensuring our community has a seat at the table in statewide conversations.

Buffalo Wild Wings

2126 North Van Buren

Enid, Oklahoma 73703

(580) 237-9453

buffalowildwings.com/locations/

us/ok/enid/

Restaurants

Kirstie Mack, Marketing & Sales Manager

EH Metal Works, LLC

5212 East Market Street

Enid, Oklahoma 73701

(580) 484-0056

emme@ehmetal.com

ehmetalworks.com

Fabrication, Manufacturing

Emme Huges, Owner

Mercy Regional EMS

302 West Maple

Enid, Oklahoma 73701

(580) 242-1234

runruh@mercy-regional.com

Mercy-regional.com

Roger Unruh, Operations Manager

Brian Cook, COO

David Puckett, Director of Operations

Lindsey Dixon, Vice President

Oklahoma Bible Academy

5913 West Chestnutt

Enid, Oklahoma73703

(580) 242-4104

awilkins@oklahomabible.com

oklahomabible.com

Private Education

Andy Wilkins, Headmaster

Powder Coating Services

601 North 2nd Street

Enid, Oklahoma 73701

(580) 302-1561

chance.cecil@gmail.com

enidpcs.com

Powder Coating, Agriculture, Construction

Professional Services, Oil & Gas,

Chance Cecil, President

Taylor Cecil, Vice President

Anytime Fitness

B & B Sanitation

Dillingham Insurance

El Patio

Encompass

Evergreen Services

First Church of the Nazarene

Holiday Inn

Interbank

Kustom Kreations

Martie Oyler

Napoli's Italian Restaurant

OK Dept Rehabilitation Services

Oklahoma Natural Gas

Oxbow Calcining

Pope Distributing

The Crescent Storage Centers

The Willows

Travel Enterprise, Inc

Yellowhouse

Youth & Family Services

Enid Net Taxable Sales

Cost of Living Index

The Cost of Living Index measures relative price levels for consumer goods and services in participating areas. The average for all participating places, both metropolitan and non-metropolitan, equals 100, and each participant's index is read as a percentage of the average for all places. The composite index is based on six components - housing, utilities, grocery items, transportation, health care and miscellaneous goods and services.

2025 Index for Enid: 89.4%

February 13, 2026 Ivory & Tweed, 116 East Randolph ribbon cutting to celebrate the re-branding

(formerly The Bridal Shop) and the new location inside the newly renovated Sears Lofts.

February 27, 2026 The Pritchett Pathway, 301 South Oakwood Road ribbon cutting celebrating

the completion of new sidewalk connecting The Commons with retail stores in the area. The path is

dedicated to the memory of Joy Pritchett, who was a major advocate of the project.

Register today to attend

Enid Day at The Capitol!

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NORTHWEST DISTRICT JUNIOR LIVESTOCK SHOW

The Northwest District Junior Livestock Show closed with a well-attended premium sale Monday, March 2nd. Add-ons are still being accepted. Watch the April newsletter for more on the final numbers and the impact on the local economy. The Chamber would like to extend congratulations to all of the exhibitors recognized during the annual awards ceremony prior to the sale.

This year's presentation included the inaugural NWDJLS Premier Exhibitor award. The award was presented to Layton Strate of the Garber 4-H in memory of Price Poe, a Cherokee FFA member remembered not only for his success across the barns, but for the friendships and character he carried with him everywhere he went.

This award honors an all-around exhibitor who excels by participating and placing in livestock judging, the livestock show, and/or ag mechanics. It reflects dedication, work ethic, and the kind of presence that makes the show community stronger.

Layton exemplified that this year, competing in the judging contest and exhibiting the Overall Bronze Medallion Heifer, Champion Shorthorn Percentage Heifer, Reserve Champion Red Angus Heifer, and Champion Whiteface Crossbred Market Lamb.

Thank you to Allan, Daresa, and Perry Poe for presenting a custom buckle and $1,000 award in Price’s memory. May we all remember what matters most and continue to Live Like Price Poe.

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