Oklahoma House Speaker Kyle Hilbert and members of the House Republican Caucus gathered in Broken Arrow this past Thursday for the second stop of the Capitol to Community tour.

The day began at the Broken Arrow Student Event Center, where community leaders including James Bell, President of the Broken Arrow Chamber of Commerce, City Manager Michael Spurgeon, and Broken Arrow Public Schools Superintendent Chuck Perry provided an overview of the city’s growth and opportunities.

Lawmakers then toured the Vanguard Academy of Broken Arrow, gaining insight into the school’s innovative approach to education. Over lunch, attendees participated in a mental health panel featuring experts from GRAND Mental Health, Family & Children’s Services, and CREOKS Health Services, who highlighted both progress and persistent needs in providing critical care to families and children.

The afternoon focused on the city’s strong manufacturing sector, with tours of Arrowhead Winch, RISE Armament and the Zeeco Global Technology Center, showcasing industries that drive both local jobs and Oklahoma’s economic competitiveness.

“Our goal with Capitol to Community is to spend a full day immersed in local communities, listening and learning,” said Speaker Hilbert, R-Bristow. “Broken Arrow demonstrates how Oklahoma’s strong sense of community can go hand-in-hand with forward-thinking innovation and economic development."

Representatives Mark Chapman, Ross Ford, T.J. Marti, Stan May and Gabe Woolley, who all represent portions of Broken Arrow, praised the event as an important opportunity to showcase their city’s strengths and challenges. 

“Broken Arrow is proud of its schools, its businesses and its people. Today we highlighted why this community is such a vital part of our state,” said Rep. Ford, R-Broken Arrow. “Having state leaders here on the ground, seeing firsthand the progress we’ve made and the challenges we face, makes a real difference. We are grateful to Speaker Hilbert and our colleagues for making Broken Arrow a stop on this tour.”