One day earlier and Oklahoma Plaza’s groundbreaking would have been made in record-breaking rainfall, but the weather co-operated with City leaders Tuesday morning, giving them only overcast skies for the south Claremore’s lifestyle

“We’re thrilled to have you all here to mark this occasion,” said Bill Jester, Resource Development Inc. president. “It’s hard to believe that it’s been a year since (CIEDA’s) Tim Hight first contacted us about the possibilities here in the City of Claremore, and we’re here ready to turn over some dirt today, to get things officially started.

“This is a great step forward for Claremore, a great step forward for Rogers County and a great step forward for northeastern Oklahoma,” he said.

Other speakers making remarks before the groundbreaking included CIEDA Executive Director Tim Hight, City Manager Troy Powell, and Claremore Mayor Brant Shallenburger.

“This is what happens when people work together on something,” Shallenburger said. “This City Council has long aspired to make retail development a reality in Claremore — and this is a huge accomplishment in that respect — it’s something unlike anything they have in Owasso, unlike anything they have in Jenks, and it’s something that will be uniquely Claremore’s and serve as a great triumph for the City and Rogers County.”

Ground-breaking then proceeded as scheduled and those gathered broke for the afternoon.

The first waves of those with letters of intent to be tenants at the Oklahoma Plaza development will be made at Tuesday night’s Claremore Economic Summit and Banquet, to be available for viewing on the Progress’ website at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday night.