In Ardmore, they're doing fine, thanks
The Oklahoman, March 29, 2007

By Julie Bisbee

New homes and luxury apartments are going up near Ardmore Airpark, where MG has proposed locating an assembly plant.

ARDMORE  Builder Shane Ross doesn't wince when he contemplates the idea that the Chinese automaker that produces MG automobiles might not bring its factory here.

Earlier this week, Ross held a groundbreaking for the planned development of Hampton Court in this southern Oklahoma community. Homes in the subdivision are expected to be 1,800 square feet or larger, and lots will sell for about $35,000, he said. He is confident the home sites will sell, even if Nanjing Automobile Group Corp. doesn't build an assembly plant in Ardmore.

A National Public Radio segment Wednesday morning raised doubts of the factory's future in Ardmore.

While the prospect of nearly 300 jobs and employees from MG coming to Ardmore has helped to boost development, it's not the only reason for growth here.

Dollar General has a busy distribution center near the airport, and some are convinced that Ardmore is well on its way to becoming a suburb of Dallas or Oklahoma City. Ardmore is halfway between both cities and has easy access to Interstate 35. Tire manufacturer Michelin employs about 1,800 people.

"Ardmore itself is booming, with or without MG," Ross said. "MG would be a star player in Ardmore, but a star player doesn't make a team. Would I like MG to be here? Yes, but Ardmore is doing extremely well on its own."

Growth is apparent throughout the community. New banks are being built. New luxury apartments have gone up just a few miles from the proposed site of the MG plant. In January, construction on a $20 million shopping center began.

The Ardmore Tourism Authority, a division of the community's chamber of commerce, is working on an agreement with the state to develop the land around Lake Murray.

Rumors the automaker may not come to Oklahoma aren't new to locals.

"We're just putting our faith in the Ardmore Development Authority," said Phil Schultz, owner of the Blue Pig BBQ restaurant at the Ardmore Industrial Airpark.