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Message from Our Mayor

Welcome to Idabel, The Dogwood Capital of Oklahoma. On behalf of the City of Idabel and the Idabel Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture, I welcome you to our great community.

The Idabel area has a rich history that dates back to the 1800s, when it was the domain of the Choctaw Nation and part of the Indian Territory. Idabel celebrated its 100th birthday in 2002 with a three-day festival. In its early days cotton farming was the main money crop in the trading area, but today ranching, business and the wood industry dominate.

Idabel’s leadership is committed to growth and prosperity  – made possible through economic development of our area, cooperative teamwork of our business community, and many dedicated citizens and organizations. To accommodate growth and a better quality of life, Idabel must continue infrastructure improvements and enhance public facilities. These are the top priorities of our city administration. We face challenging demands and developing needs that require solid management and decisive judgment. Active promotion of our local industries, small businesses, school systems, tourism and entrepreneurship will move us into the next rapidly evolving era.

I invite every citizen to join me and the Idabel Chamber in meeting the positive challenges with a spirit of unity, and with a commitment to make Idabel the best it can be. I extend an invitation to our visitors and guests to walk and talk with us, as we are proud to have you as part of our community.

Sincerely,

Jerry E. Shinn, Mayor
City of Idabel