Over one million people visit Hochatown every year; the majority fleeing the congestion and traffic of Dallas-Fort Worth. With heavy advertising campaigns targeting the Dallas market, movers and shakers in Hochatown expect little downturn in the southern tide. “There are 11 million people in Dallas, and they’re all looking for a way to get out on the weekend,” Jordan said. “We’re proving that we can get them here. Now we need more things for them to do.”
Jordan and other Hochatown business owners crow about growing opportunities in the area for startup businesses. Coffee shops, antique stores, restaurants and entertainment venues provide outlets for tourists looking for action after a day on the lake. New restaurants such as Grateful Head Pizza, Blue Rooster, and Abendigo’s have all added outdoor seating with live music on weekends with great success. Still, more options are needed.
A convention center, Jordan explained, would promote more mid-week tourism by providing a location for business conferences, professional seminars and more.
Kaniatobe Trails housing development in Hochatown is designed for maximum homeowner privacy and convenience with wooded lots, winding roads, w-fi, and even a scenic pond. PHOTO COURTESTY OF DENNIS JORDAN.
Jordan points to lodging tax collections as proof of the growing economy. In 2004, McCurtain County voters approved the three percent tax on nightly lodging at cabins and B&B’s surrounding Broken Bow. The first year following its passage saw collections of $92,000. By 2013, collections swelled to $479,000. While the tax is earmarked for marketing and tourism promotions only, benefits to the county are notable.
Hired as director of the Broken Bow Chamber of Commerce in 2003, Charity O’Donnell can recall a town where at least 25 percent of the buildings stood empty.
“As the lodging tax collections went up, our economy grew with it,”she said. “Now we have a shortage of commercial property.”
O’Donnell pointed out that new business owners are seeing greater returns than expected on their investment. Janet Cress, owner of Janet’s Treasure Chest in Hochatown, agrees. Her retail business lays out five rooms full of antiques, knick knacks, home decor, toys and games, and more Bigfoot souvenirs than you can throw a rock at. “This March I had my best month ever. In the past that’s been a slow time for us, but not anymore,” Cress said.
A major hindrance to such commercial development is the lack adequate sewer service in Hochatown, but hope lies in the Promise Zone. The federal antipoverty program promotes grants and tax incentives aimed at combating poverty in select areas. It also provides tax incentives for private businesses that hire and invest in Promise Zones.
The Choctaw Nation received notice of their selection as a Promise Zone in January. Tribal representatives have since met with community leaders in McCurtain County to determine tourism and economic development needs. With the potential for increased prosperity in the region, it is hoped their interest will foster further collaboration with an eye toward infrastructure needs.
Until then, it’s business as usual in Hochatown—and that business is booming. ■
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