Editing Durant, Oklahoma (section)

==Economy==
Durant was ranked as the fastest growing rural city in Oklahoma in 2004, having the fastest growth rate outside of the [[Oklahoma City]] and [[Tulsa, Oklahoma|Tulsa]] metropolitan areas.<ref>[http://www.durant.org/page/tourism Durant – Tourism] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002052203/http://www.durant.org/page/tourism |date=2013-10-02 }} (accessed September 28, 2013)</ref>

Durant's daytime population increases to approximately 20,000 people.{{Citation needed|date=July 2010}} The city has a pull factor of 1.8–2.1 times its population and was named an [[All-America City]] finalist for 2006.{{Citation needed|date=May 2010}}

Since 1999, the Durant Economic Development Department, the Durant Industrial Authority and the City of Durant have developed over $600,000,000 in new investments to the city.{{Citation needed|date=May 2010}}

Durant currently leads the state in economic development.{{Citation needed|date=July 2010}} One of the city's strongest industries is tourism; attractions include [[Lake Texoma]], the [[Choctaw Casino Resort]], and [[Fort Washita]].  [[Manufacturing]] and [[Distribution (business)|distribution]] are growing industries in Durant with several factories being constructed and planned.

[[File:new Choctaw Casino Resort.jpg|thumb|North building of Choctaw Casino Resort]]
[[File:Choctaw Nation Headquarters (08-20-2023).jpg|thumb|Choctaw Nation Headquarters]]
The largest employer in Durant is the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, including the Choctaw Nation Headquarters and the Choctaw Casino Resort, which has two Choctaw Travel Plazas, two Choctaw casinos, the Choctaw Inn, and more facilities that are located in the resort. Over 5,400 people work for the Choctaw Nation in Durant. Though the capital of the Choctaw Nation is recognized as being [[Tuskahoma, Oklahoma|Tuskahoma]], the administrative offices are located in Durant.

In 1894, [[Calvin Institute]], a school for Native American youths, was established in Durant. By 1899, it had attracted an enrollment of 300. It was renamed Durant Presbyterian College in 1900 and Oklahoma Presbyterian College in 1910. The support for the school came from the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, the federal government, and several denominational missionary boards. Because of financial difficulties, the school was closed as a learning institution in the late 1960s. Chief Clark David Gardner established the Choctaw Nation administrative offices at the old Oklahoma Presbyterian College Building in 1975.

In 1976, in cooperation with the Durant Chamber of Commerce and the owners of the buildings, the [[Red River Valley Historical Association]], title was transferred to the [[federal government of the United States|federal government]]. Ceremonies were held August 17, 1976, commemorating the title transfer. Reacquisition of this building allowed centralization of government which permits more effective utilization of personnel in administering current programs and developing future programs. The buildings has been renovated, and administration of many Choctaw programs are headquartered there.

Another important part of Durant's economy is the city's historic central business district and the retail district. In the past few years, downtown Durant has seen growth, renewal projects such as streetscaping, and new businesses arriving. Durant has a [[List of Main Street Programs in the United States|Main Street program]].<ref>{{cite web | url= https://www.durantmainstreet.org/| title= Durant Main Street| publisher= DurantMainStreet.org | access-date=January 31, 2020}}</ref> The retail district is west of downtown, at the intersection of [[U.S. Route 69 (Oklahoma)|U.S. 69]]/[[U.S. Route 75 (Oklahoma)|75]] and [[U.S. Route 70 in Oklahoma|U.S. 70]], and is Durant's fastest growing area.

Cardinal Glass Industries has a [[float glass]] manufacturing facility in western Durant. It became operational in July 2004. This plant is number 20 for Cardinal Glass Industries.

[[Big Lots]] has a {{convert|1200000|sqft|m2|abbr=on}}. distribution center in Durant that began operating in January 2004.

Durant is home to the headquarters of [[First United Bank]], one of the largest privately owned banks in the United States,{{Citation needed|date=May 2010}} and [[First Texoma National Bank]]. Indian Nation Wholesale, also headquartered in Durant, was the 15th largest [[wholesale]]r in the United States as of 2008.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.csnews.com/csnews/images/pdf/top25wholesalers.pdf |title= CSNews &#124; ConvenienceStoreNews|website=www.csnews.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150202013630/http://www.csnews.com/csnews/images/pdf/top25wholesalers.pdf |archive-date=February 2, 2015}}</ref>