Mayor Tomlinson presented Sam Shideler with a lapel pin following the regular meeting of the Durant Economic Development Council on Tuesday. Shideler who is home schooled accompanied his father to the meeting where his father presented a retail analysis to the City.

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Tuesday morning, both the Durant Industrial Authority and the Durant Economic Development Council held their regular meetings.

Both meetings focused on bringing more businesses into Durant. Plans to open stores such as Rue 21 and Hibbett Sports were discussed.

A presentation was given by Dave Shideler from the OSU Extension Office which revealed a retail trade analysis for the City of Durant.

The analysis compared the city to other cities of similar size in the area. The analysis showed that Durant did not go into recession when the state did in 2009.

The analysis also showed that out of the cities in the study Durant has the most retail competition yet remains a retail leader in the area.

The strong competition Durant has comes from the Sherman area, according to Shideler.

To thank the OSU Extension Office for its help in the analysis, the Economic Development Council presented both Shideler and his partner on the project, Robert Bourne, with a gift.

They also presented Shideler’s son who was present as a learning experience with a lapel pin.

Durant Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Janet Reed also announced at the end of Tuesday’s meetings that the Main Street Program is now interviewing for a new Main Street Program Manager and hopes to have the position filled by Christmas.