The recent State of the Economy event hosted by the Wichita Falls Chamber of Commerce focused on the city’s housing market, the impact of the pandemic, and unemployment. Attendees discussed ways to attract more residents to the area in order to increase revenue for the community. While population growth between 2022 and 2023 has shown some increase, there is a consensus that more needs to be done to make Wichita Falls an even more attractive place to live.
Scott Flinn, Senior Vice President of Union Square, emphasized the importance of prioritizing efforts to increase the population. He and others at the event spoke about new approaches that are needed in order to see different results. Ron Kitchens, President of the Chamber of Commerce, highlighted the need for change and innovation in order to compete effectively in today’s market.
Nicole Cervi, Wells Fargo Investment Economist, mentioned that Wichita Falls is a strong player in the housing market nationally. The city offers more affordable home prices compared to the rest of Texas and much of the United States, making it an attractive place to live. Kitchens acknowledged that part of Wichita Falls’ lower unemployment rate is due to its older population but expressed a desire for younger adults
