Editing Thomas, Oklahoma (section)

==Economy==
Originally a marketing community and shipping point for the surrounding agricultural area, Thomas has evolved into a bedroom community. According to the ''Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture,'' Over 91 percent of the employed residents commute to work in other communities.<ref name="EOHC-Thomas"/>

The oil refinery at Thomas is one of only five refineries that was operating in Oklahoma in 2015. Formerly known as the Barrett Refinery and opened in 1982,<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry.php?entry=RE039| title= Refineries| publisher= Bobby D. Weaver, Oklahoma Historical Society| accessdate=April 2, 2020}}</ref> this facility has a rated capacity of 14,000 barrels per day. In the oil industry, a barrel (Bbl) is equal to 42 U. S. gallons. Hence, this is now the smallest refinery operating in the state. After the Barrett Company declared bankruptcy, the refinery was scheduled to close permanently on December 22, 2005. Instead, an Oklahoma City firm, Ventura Refining and Transmission, LLC. Revival of the refinery was expected to open up about 30 to 50 new local jobs, excluding personnel needed to drive about 30 trucks handling product deliveries per day.<ref name="ThomasTrib">[https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2154&dat=20060202&id=MpdkAAAAIBAJ&sjid=I4UNAAAAIBAJ&pg=1470,97996&hl=en   Thomas Refinery has new owners; Operation to start by early summer."''Thomas Tribune'' February 2, 2006.] Accessed August 30, 2016.</ref>