Wichita Falls has seen a wave of business closures, with some raising concerns about the city’s economy. However, the CEO of the Wichita Falls Chamber of Commerce, Ron Kitchens, is reassuring residents that there is no need to worry. According to him, when businesses close it is simply part of the natural life cycle of companies.
Kitchens remains optimistic about the economic outlook for Wichita Falls. He believes that while inflation may have contributed to some closures this year, 38 new companies have opened in the area bringing more than 100 new jobs to the community. While he acknowledges recent closures of national chains like J.C. Penney’s and Maurice’s, he sees them as separate from inflation-related closures and believes they were due to issues between the companies and mall operators.
Looking towards the future, Kitchens is hopeful for Wichita Falls economy. He expects to see $750 million in construction projects starting this year which will further boost local economy. To encourage innovation in business owners, The Chamber of Commerce is launching a six-part series on how to open a restaurant in September which will support both aspiring entrepreneurs and established businesses.