There is no doubt that the recent economic boom in Marshall County and the surrounding Lake Texoma communities is exciting. The recent announcements that Lake Texoma would be getting not one but two major developments on the lake have all of southern Oklahoma buzzing with anticipation.
Having Hard Rock Resorts and Residences on the northside of Lake Texoma and Margaritaville Resort coming in shortly after on the southern Texas side will put the surrounding lake communities on the maps of visitors from all over. The new economic growth will provide opportunities for increased revenues for the surrounding communities, it will create new jobs, and will increase tourism.
As exciting as it is, are there downsides to it as well? The increase of people will bring emphasis to already existing issues within the infrastructure and draw an awareness to support the local business in lieu of bigger chains that could potentially come into the area. In January of this year, In a recent interview with The Madill Record, Kingston Vice Mayor, Loren Runyan, spoke about the growth.
“Wehavegottoplanahead and grow with that opportunity,” said Runyan about the Hard Rock Resort and Residences being developed east of Kingston. “With the infrastructure and the roads, trying to get back up into shape. Basically, just beautify our town. It’s a slow-going process, but it’s happening.”
Runyan continued to say theTownofKingstonisworking with the Kingston Police department to increase the size of the police force.
“We are working with the police department trying to put on more officers, which is going to be needed down the road.”
Runyan also addressed safety concerns about the main road going through Kingston, Highway 70.
“We are working with the Department of Transportation on the actual roadway through town, to make it safer for the people,” he said. “The infrastructure is probably going to be the most expensive part of the process. There are lots of water lines that need to run, sewer lines, and upgrade the sewer system we have now. Upgrade the streets in the town, so it’s going to be a long hard job. But we have got to do it to proceed with what is expected growth that is coming in here.”
As the growth east of Kingston increases, so will the traffic in the area. Runyan agreed that there are major traffic concerns now that need to be addressed.
“From the Family Dollar, east,thatisadangerousarea. Really all the way to the four lane, that is basically speed. People are in such a big hurry, gotta get one more car ahead. I think we could benefit with some turn lanes out there, wider shoulders.”
Runyan stated that the Town of Kingston was working with ODOT to possibly decrease the speed limit in the area east of Kingston. They are also asking ODOT to do a study of the area to see if there is a need for turn lanes.
“The traffic in the area is only going to get worse,” Runyan said. 'What we can plan for now will only benefit us in the future.”
Around town, there are those that agree that the streets and water lines need upgrades and that there are real safety concerns east of Kingston,buttheyalsoworry for another reason about the uptick in development. As Marshall County continues to expand, inviting more commercial and residential development, local business owners are concerned about being forgotten about along the way.
Most expectantly, once the larger corporate owned and operated businesses move into the area small business owners who operate now are worried that they will not be able to compete. Jennifer Morgan, owner of the Country Kitchen in Madill and Kingston,hasconcernsabout what the growth and expansion could possibly mean for both of her locations.
“I love being in a small town,” Morgan said. “There is good and bad; I love the growth and entertainment coming to the area. I love that people will visit our wonderful town,” She also voiced her concerns. “I don’t want to lose our small town feel or the support of our community. Our community supports the small businesses. If we continue to support the small businesses, we will not lose.”