Berry expects big things for Enid in coming years

Related Photos

Discussion

March 22, 2006

By Scott Fitzgerald The Enid News and Eagle Wed Mar 22, 2006, 05:24 PM CST

General contractor and developer Bob Berry refers to a retail comparison study of Oklahoma City and Enid outlets containing brand names and services to emphasize a theme that mechanical engineer Dennis Luckinbill talks about in casual terms.

Enid likely will see a lot of building from within during the next few years to enhance its quality of life rather than undertake any massive building projects.

“You look at Enid historically, and you’ll see that it has largely grown within. That’s important. People reinvested in their town and eventually went outside to draw money in,” Luckinbill said.

That’s certainly true of major companies here like Advance Food and the medical industry.

Berry takes it a step further and explains that Enid serves itself perfectly as a “back office” location that could fill the needs of many major corporate headquarters located in major cities.

It offers a low cost of living, while offering all the amenities that people look for when they settle.

Both men laud real estate agent Patty Probasco in her efforts to get Enid mentioned in January on ABC’s “Good Morning America” as one of the best up and coming areas in the country to live.

Berry also lauds Kevin Ruggs, of Ruggs Construction, for the recent work in renovating a major eye sore — the Trade Mart building in the 1700 block of South Van Buren.

“Those guys deserve keys to the city,” said Berry, who said he winced every time he drove by the site, especially during his volunteer Base Realignment and Closure Commission work in 1995 to save Vance Air Force Base.

Berry said an immediate construction concern should be efforts to get the East Garriott Road bridge directly south of St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center revamped and renovated to ease any doubts of flooding in the general vicinity.

Enid also should work to get a detailed statistical analysis of how dollars are spent here. That helps in recruiting efforts.

From a general construction point of view, Berry is impressed with what has turned recently in Enid.

Thanks to voter approval of a major bond issue, public school infrastructure has vastly improved. A sorely needed county jail has been built. Each hospital has undergone major building expansions.

“I believe retail renovation and residential construction will be our primary projects in the next few years. We’ve saved Vance Air Force Base. Let’s save Enid and do stuff for the private sector to come in and expand so our job base and disposable income will increase,” Berry said.

Text Only

Garfield County

Berry expects big things for Enid in coming years General contractor and developer Bob Berry refers to a retail comparison study of Oklahoma City and Enid outlets containing brand names and services to emphasize a theme that mechanical engineer Dennis Luckinbill talks about in casual terms.
March 22, 2006 2 Photos
Tax process takes year to complete When you get your property tax assessment, it’s only natural to complain about your bill.
March 22, 2006
OnviSource puts it all together The offices of the OnviSource building are abuzz with activity.
March 22, 2006 2 Photos
Hospice care means choices when dying Whether they are classified as a non-profit or for-profit organization, local hospices always put the patient first.
March 22, 2006 1 Photo
Service the key to Johnston Enterprises’ success During the 1940s Dale Johnston, then head of W.B. Johnston Grain Co., decided his nephew needed some work to do after school, so he put him to work sweeping out a company warehouse.
March 22, 2006 1 Photo
North American Stone Crafters quietly increasing profits, employees A little known company on Enid’s outskirts that will not remain that for long could be a part of a burgeoning industry in Garfield County.
March 22, 2006 1 Photo
Vance broke ground for civilian contractors at pilot training bases In 1960, the concept of civilian contractors providing support for military base functions was a new one.
March 22, 2006 1 Photo
Parrish Enterprises honored with Spirit of Family award The recording that plays when callers are waiting to be transferred to one of the many departments of Parrish Enterprises has all the usual advertisements used to attract patrons.
March 22, 2006 1 Photo
TIF plans appear to be on track for state’s first ethanol plant As it draws closer to final approval by the Enid City Commission, a proposed Tax Increment Finance District to assist an ethanol plant in Enid appears to be receiving favorable comment.
March 22, 2006
New esthetician program starting in August at Autry Tech Some Autry Technology students soon may become estheticians.
March 22, 2006 1 Photo
More Garfield County Headlines

Garfield County

Search Results

Related Photos

Discussion

Berry expects big things for Enid in coming years

Site Map

Contact Us