CITD's research aims to reverse the trend of highly educated individuals leaving Oklahoma

Monday, April 8, 2024

Media Contact: Mack Burke | Deputy Director of Media Relations | 405-744-5540 | [email protected]

The Wes Watkins Center for International Trade Development's primary focus is promoting trade and creating employment opportunities for Oklahomans.

CITD's most recent report, “Oklahoma Brain Drain Reversal: What is Happening, and What Can We Learn?”, was released in December 2024. It illustrates the principles espoused by CITD and showcases the diligent work of its multicultural team.

This report challenges the dominant brain drain narrative and identifies a potential reversal in the state's brain drain. The CITD maintains that international trade, particularly through small businesses, is critical to faster growth, higher wages and greater economic stability. A key finding of the report highlights Oklahoma's opportunity to contribute to the evolving Canada-U.S.-Mexico trade corridor.

The report also highlights a comparison with the state of Tennessee, which has experienced similar dynamics, leveraging its geography and location along the Mississippi River to become a major logistics hub in the country. With this comparison, CITD aims to demonstrate a strategy that will help Oklahoma learn from Tennessee's success and chart its path to becoming an international trade center.

Tennessee and Oklahoma share similarities in population and sustained economic growth, and have some of the cheapest costs of living and lowest unemployment rates in the United States. These factors make both states attractive to immigrants.

The team's key insight is that a strategic series of investments in transportation infrastructure could strengthen Oklahoma's role as a hub for continental commerce along the I-35 corridor, especially given the recent trend toward nearshoring.

CITD seeks to contribute to Oklahoma's competitiveness through its research and publications by addressing trade challenges and identifying opportunities to strengthen and diversify the state's economy in line with global trends.

“Brain Drain Reversal” emphasizes retaining and attracting talent by positioning Oklahoma as an international trade hub; “Trading Up 2.0” addresses Oklahoma’s post-pandemic global trade dynamics; The Human Equation focuses on workforce development and the role of human capital in increasing productivity and global competitiveness. Other studies have examined topics ranging from the trade impact of Brexit to the systemic nature of supply chain disruptions in the COVID era.

While each research initiative is different, the overall goal is to promote Oklahoma's growth, adaptability and global competitiveness. The diversity of research topics reflects a comprehensive approach to addressing the complex and interrelated factors that influence the state's economic well-being. Importantly, these research aims to provide actionable insights and strategies to strengthen Oklahoma's resilience, attract talent, and positively position the state in the global marketplace.

Access all CITD reports online.