Website Ranks Oklahoma No. 1 in Construction Opportunities

By Colleen Chen, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- An investment website claims Oklahoma is the number one state in the country for construction opportunities. The ranking is based on the state's economy and census data showing larger jumps in the number of building permits recently when compared to other places.

Construction companies say they get a lot of applicants from nearby states looking to work in Oklahoma.

"Everybody seems to be jealous of Oklahoma and what we're doing," said David Cloakey with Silver Star Construction. "Six to 10 applicants every week are from out of state workers. We're trying to help them out the best we can."

Silver Star is keeping busy on a bridge project in Norman. Cloakey is not surprised that Investopedia ranked Oklahoma the best state for construction jobs.

The Sooner state has done better than other parts of the country during the recession. That combined with low cost of living has led to a number of investments and therefore construction jobs including the Devon tower, an outlet mall and road improvements.

The investment website ranking is for the state, but specifically praises Oklahoma City.

"What is really going on in the marketplace if you look around is you see anywhere from $2 billion to $3 billion under construction throughout the community," said Roy Williams with the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce. "We probably have more cranes in Oklahoma City, especially downtown, than any other metropolitan city in the U.S."

Williams said because Oklahoma City and the metro is not overbuilt like other cities he expects to stay ahead of other states when it comes to construction.

"We can continue to build. Most other places speculated in office space, retail space, commercial space," Williams said. "It's a good place to be. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else."

Chamber leaders say personal income growth in Oklahoma City is also outpacing the national average. That combined with the low cost of living makes it an ideal place to invest.

Illinois, Florida, Texas and California were the other states ranked in the top five for construction jobs.