CHANGE. TONIGHT AT SIX. WITH REGISTRATION FOR OLYMPICS TICKETS OPENING UP TODAY, STATE LEADERS ARE ALREADY LOOKING AT HOW OKLAHOMA BUSINESSES CAN BENEFIT. ONE STATE SENATOR HAS FILED A BILL AIMED AT HELPING PREPARE FOR THE ECONOMIC IMPACT. KOCO SHAWNEE HOPKINS SHOWS US HOW IT COULD PAY OFF BEFORE THE GAMES. THE STATE IS IS GOING TO BE REALLY PROUD TO HELP SUPPORT THOSE INITIATIVES. HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ARE EXPECTED TO FLOOD OKLAHOMA IN 2028, BRINGING WITH THEM A MASSIVE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY. THE STATE IS GOING TO ENGAGE IN A MEANINGFUL WAY. WE KNOW THAT THIS IS GOING TO HAVE A MASSIVE IMPACT ECONOMICALLY, BUT ALSO JUST FOR THE FUN OF RESIDENTS. SENATOR THOMPSON SAYS SENATE BILL 1378 WOULD CREATE A SPECIAL FUND DESIGNED TO HELP OKLAHOMA PREPARE FOR THE GAMES. SHE SAYS THE IMPACT COULD TOUCH ALMOST EVERY CORNER, FROM HOTELS AND CONSTRUCTION TO SMALL BUSINESSES. IT’S GOING TO BE A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR REALLY ANYONE WHO HAS A BUSINESS IN OKLAHOMA. FUNDING THROUGH THE OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE. IF PASSED, BUSINESSES WILL BE ABLE TO ENTER THE FUND THROUGH A BID FOR BUSINESSES NEAR FUTURE EVENT SITES. THE POSSIBILITY ALONE IS EXCITING. DEFINITELY INCREASE SALES, WHICH ISN’T ONLY GOOD FOR US, BUT ALSO ALL OF OUR VENDORS. SO IT KIND OF TRICKLES DOWN. JAMIE, EVENTS MANAGER AT FOSTER HALL, SAYS THE BUSIER CITY BENEFITS MORE THAN JUST ONE AREA OF BUSINESS. IF OUR SALES INCREASE, THEN OUR FOOD VENDORS SALES INCREASE AND OUR ALCOHOL SALES AND VENDORS INCREASE, SO IT’S EXCITING FOR EVERYBODY. WITH ALMOST TWO YEARS UNTIL THE GAMES. PREPARATIONS ARE UNDERWAY IN ADVANCE. WE HAD A LITTLE PRACTICE WITH THE WITH THE THUNDER IN THE FINALS, SO WE’LL PROBABLY JUST BUILD OFF THERE AND MAKE SURE THAT OUR SECURITY IS UP TO PAR, THAT WE’RE ABLE TO HAVE ENOUGH STAFF AND SUPPLIE
Oklahoma businesses anticipate economic boost from 2028 Olympics
Oklahoma state leaders are preparing for the economic impact of the 2028 Olympic Games with a proposed bill to support local businesses.
Updated: 5:19 PM CST Jan 14, 2026
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As registration for Olympic tickets opens, Oklahoma state leaders are focusing on how local businesses can benefit from the 2028 Olympic Games, with state Sen. Kristin Thompson filing a bill to create a special revolving fund aimed at supporting economic opportunities. >> Download the KOCO 5 app | Subscribe to KOCO 5’s YouTube channel”The state is going to engage in a meaningful way. We know that this is going to have a massive impact, economically, but also just for the fun of residents,” said Thompson, representing District 22.Senate Bill 1378, proposed by Thompson, would establish a fund designed to help Oklahoma businesses prepare for the games, potentially impacting sectors from hotels and construction to small businesses.”It’s going to be a great opportunity for really anyone who has a business in Oklahoma,” Thompson said.The fund, if passed, would be sourced from the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, allowing businesses to enter through a bidding process. For businesses near future event sites, the possibility of increased sales is exciting.”Definitely increase, sales, which isn’t only good for us, but also all of our vendors. So, it kind of like trickles down,” said Jamie Tompkins, events manager at Fassler Hall. “If our sales increase, then our food vendors sales increase in our alcohol sales and vendors increase.”With almost two years until the games, preparations are already underway. Tompkins noted that past experiences, such as hosting the Thunder in the finals, have provided valuable practice in managing large events.Get the latest news stories of interest by clicking here.”We’ll probably just build up there and make sure that our security is up to par, that we’re able to have enough staff and supplies to accommodate large groups,” Tompkins said.Top HeadlinesWhat are crimes against nature, according to Oklahoma Statute?Here’s how many Somalis are in the U.S. as Trump administration ends protected statusGeorge Cole is in critical condition after suicide attempt in jail cell, OSBI confirmsSky 5 video shows crews battling multiple grass fires in Oklahoma City metroRegistration for 2028 Olympic tickets in Oklahoma City starts Wednesday
As registration for Olympic tickets opens, Oklahoma state leaders are focusing on how local businesses can benefit from the 2028 Olympic Games, with state Sen. Kristin Thompson filing a bill to create a special revolving fund aimed at supporting economic opportunities.
>> Download the KOCO 5 app | Subscribe to KOCO 5’s YouTube channel
“The state is going to engage in a meaningful way. We know that this is going to have a massive impact, economically, but also just for the fun of residents,” said Thompson, representing District 22.
Senate Bill 1378, proposed by Thompson, would establish a fund designed to help Oklahoma businesses prepare for the games, potentially impacting sectors from hotels and construction to small businesses.
“It’s going to be a great opportunity for really anyone who has a business in Oklahoma,” Thompson said.
The fund, if passed, would be sourced from the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, allowing businesses to enter through a bidding process. For businesses near future event sites, the possibility of increased sales is exciting.
“Definitely increase, sales, which isn’t only good for us, but also all of our vendors. So, it kind of like trickles down,” said Jamie Tompkins, events manager at Fassler Hall. “If our sales increase, then our food vendors sales increase in our alcohol sales and vendors increase.”
With almost two years until the games, preparations are already underway. Tompkins noted that past experiences, such as hosting the Thunder in the finals, have provided valuable practice in managing large events.
Get the latest news stories of interest by clicking here.
“We’ll probably just build up there and make sure that our security is up to par, that we’re able to have enough staff and supplies to accommodate large groups,” Tompkins said.
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