OWASSO, OK – Cities in Kansas, Texas and North Dakota have all signed contracts recently with Tulsa-area economic development consultants Retail Attractions, LLC. With existing contracts in place in Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas, Retail Attractions is now serving 26 cities across five states. "When we speak with retailers about a certain market they often ask us what other cities we're in, because they know if we're working with a community, we can help them find the right site, smooth the development process and provide them with accurate information," said Rickey Hayes, founder of Retail Attractions. “In very real terms it helps our client cities when we work in multiple markets, because the more markets we are in the more access we have to our retail and restaurant reps.”
Hayes was formerly the economic development director for Owasso, OK, where he implemented a marketing plan, developed data and relationships and ultimately oversaw the launch of more than four million square feet of retail and restaurant development in a town of less than 30,000 people. Since founding Retail Attractions three years ago, Hayes says the company has been involved in more than three million additional square feet of development in client cities. "We work hard for our cities... and we know what works to get the attention of the site selectors, developers and retail brokers. It's been tough to be successful in the retail environment of the past few years, but we've brought new businesses to towns of all sizes and we're excited to expand into new areas this year," he said.
Hayes and his team provide demographics, market packages, retail recruitment, incentives and development process analysis, traffic counts and grant research and writing plus consultation and economic development services to clients from their Owasso office, though Hayes spends several days on the road each month visiting cities and meeting with retailers.
Hayes spoke last month at the 2011 City and County Performance Summit in Las Vegas. A Performance Institute event, Hayes’ topic, “How to Attract Businesses and Residents to Your Neighborhood” drew an interested and diverse crowd and the event's education director said the session drew the most positive feedback of the lineup. "The crowd was great... they were interested, engaged and asked in-depth questions. I think the information struck a nerve because so many cities are realizing they are in competition for their very lives," stated Hayes. Micky Webb, City Manager of Independence, Kansas and new client of Retail Attractions, said, “It is competitive and I think that communities are better off hiring consultants like Retail Attractions because independent, third party specialists can market a city and get inside the retail radar better than cities and local economic development organizations and chambers of commerce can.” Webb first saw the fruits of Hayes’s work when he served as city manager of Bixby, Oklahoma, another suburb of Tulsa. ?
New Retail Attractions cities include Coffeyville, Caney, Independence and Cherryvale, KS; Heath, TX and Mandan, ND. A full list of communities contracted with Retail Attractions for economic development services is included on the company website.
Hayes was formerly the economic development director for Owasso, OK, where he implemented a marketing plan, developed data and relationships and ultimately oversaw the launch of more than four million square feet of retail and restaurant development in a town of less than 30,000 people. Since founding Retail Attractions three years ago, Hayes says the company has been involved in more than three million additional square feet of development in client cities. "We work hard for our cities... and we know what works to get the attention of the site selectors, developers and retail brokers. It's been tough to be successful in the retail environment of the past few years, but we've brought new businesses to towns of all sizes and we're excited to expand into new areas this year," he said.
Hayes and his team provide demographics, market packages, retail recruitment, incentives and development process analysis, traffic counts and grant research and writing plus consultation and economic development services to clients from their Owasso office, though Hayes spends several days on the road each month visiting cities and meeting with retailers.
Hayes spoke last month at the 2011 City and County Performance Summit in Las Vegas. A Performance Institute event, Hayes’ topic, “How to Attract Businesses and Residents to Your Neighborhood” drew an interested and diverse crowd and the event's education director said the session drew the most positive feedback of the lineup. "The crowd was great... they were interested, engaged and asked in-depth questions. I think the information struck a nerve because so many cities are realizing they are in competition for their very lives," stated Hayes. Micky Webb, City Manager of Independence, Kansas and new client of Retail Attractions, said, “It is competitive and I think that communities are better off hiring consultants like Retail Attractions because independent, third party specialists can market a city and get inside the retail radar better than cities and local economic development organizations and chambers of commerce can.” Webb first saw the fruits of Hayes’s work when he served as city manager of Bixby, Oklahoma, another suburb of Tulsa. ?
New Retail Attractions cities include Coffeyville, Caney, Independence and Cherryvale, KS; Heath, TX and Mandan, ND. A full list of communities contracted with Retail Attractions for economic development services is included on the company website.