#USA #Oklahoma City #Economic Growth #Heartland Forward #Investment Readiness

Introduction

On November 4, 2025, Heartland Forward took a monumental step toward enhancing economic opportunities across America's heartland with the announcement of the Center for Investment Readiness (CIR). This new initiative aims to equip communities with the necessary tools and resources to improve investment readiness and foster local business growth.

The 30 by 2030 Initiative

As a cornerstone of its mission, the CIR will implement the '30 by 2030' initiative, which focuses on transforming the investment landscape in 30 selected micropolitan and small metropolitan areas over the next five years. The initiative will leverage Heartland Forward’s proven methodologies, including its Secret Sauce framework, to guide these communities in becoming more competitive. By integrating insights from entrepreneurship and regional development studies, the CIR will help communities enhance their attractiveness to investors and position themselves for sustainable growth.

Empowering Local Economies

Angie Cooper, president of Heartland Forward, stated, "The goal of CIR is to supercharge economic growth for heartland communities." The center's mission centers around providing data-driven support tailored to the unique needs of each community, focusing on various crucial elements such as:

• - Enhancing education and job training to create workforce-ready individuals
• - Promoting small business development and sustainability
• - Harnessing advanced technologies, including AI, to streamline operations and enhance service delivery
• - Improving healthcare access and securing economic investments for diverse sectors

By concentrating efforts in these areas, CIR will empower local communities to take charge of their economic futures, and ultimately, ensure that the heartland remains a significant economic player on the global stage.

Key Focus Areas of CIR

The Center for Investment Readiness will operate through four primary focus areas:
1. Optimizing Local Development: Supporting communities in developing effective strategies for local growth and resource allocation.
2. Business Support: Offering guidance to both new and established businesses, equipping them with the resources needed to thrive.
3. Knowledge Sharing and Engagement: Encouraging collaboration among local stakeholders and engaging businesses to foster a robust investment ecosystem.
4. Programmatic Solutions: Delivering impactful program initiatives across the core impact areas of regional competitiveness, talent pipeline, and overall health and wellness.

Data-Driven Approach

CIR will implement a data-driven strategy to help stakeholders understand community needs better. This involves creating detailed community profiles that will capture vital metrics such as workforce quality, infrastructure, capital investments, and quality of life indicators. With this information, communities can make informed decisions and effectively attract potential investors.

Early Supporters of the CIR Initiative

The first cities to participate in this transformative initiative include Enid and Perry in Oklahoma, and Hutchinson in Kansas. Each of these cities presents a unique landscape for growth:

• - Enid, Oklahoma: Known as the Wheat Capital of the U.S. and a hub for military training, Enid's strong agricultural and manufacturing sectors will benefit from CIR's support. Dr. Marcie Mack, Executive Director of the Enid Regional Development Alliance, emphasized the community's commitment to turning investments into generational impacts through this partnership.
• - Perry, Oklahoma: With a rich manufacturing legacy, Perry's city manager, Nate Read, conveyed excitement about showcasing the city’s competitive advantages and attracting new funding to build on its industrial strengths.
• - Hutchinson, Kansas: Debra Teufel, the city chamber’s president, highlighted Hutchinson's ambitious economic development plans, stating that the CIR will provide essential data and resources to connect local entrepreneurs with necessary capital funds, facilitating scalable growth.

Conclusion

The launch of the Center for Investment Readiness by Heartland Forward marks a pivotal moment in promoting economic resilience in America's heartland. Through dedicated initiatives aimed at enhancing investment readiness, local communities are equipped to craft their own success stories and maintain the heartland as a pivotal economic driver.

About Heartland Forward

Heartland Forward is a non-profit organization that focuses on implementing policy changes and community-driven programs aimed at fostering economic growth. By 2030, their goal is to generate substantial economic impact across the heartland, emphasizing research and strategic partnerships that cater to regional competitiveness, talent development, and public health.