Less than 100 miles from Oklahoma City, Lawton OK has been awarded a spot of the Top 30 Cities for Jobs in the US at Number 22. It is also on the Forbes Best Cities List for Jobs and Business in America. Lawton did not appear until the 20th Century, but has grown quickly in the latter half of the 1900s and early 2000s.

Lawton was formed in 1901, when the last of the Native Americans' local territories at the time in Oklahoma was chosen by the US government for settlement by private citizens. Previous to this, nearly the entire state of Oklahoma had been owned and cared for by several Native American Nations and the small northeast corner of the state held the largest number of different nations or tribes. The Kiowa-Comanche-Apache Reservation was finally given away by the US federal government to homesteaders through a registered drawing (a lottery) for parcels of 160 acres each.

Some Native Americans moved westward, while, 29,000 homesteaders went to the SW Oklahoma Territory to register at Fort Sill. An additional 135,000 registered at El Reno. People were excited about owning land in an uncharted palce. The drawing allowed 6,500 to homestead in one of three SW Oklahoma areas, one being Lawton, just south of Fort Sill. Lawton still stands in the middle of a Native American US-federal statistical unit for the Kiowa-Comanche-Apache Nations. (see map below).

The US Army's Fort Sill had been a cavalry fort in 1869 after the Civil War. Lot parcels in the 320-acre town itself were sold at auction, but commencing August 6th, winners of a lottery chose plots outside of town. One site, the homestead of Ms. Mattie Beal, was the second lot chosen and the home and lands stand today in the central city of Lawton as a historic landmark on the National Registry.

Landowners and their families – 25,000 of them - lived in tents for months. There were no streets or sidewalks and no utilities. There were schools, but not enough or large enough to serve well. Fires were commonplace. In 1910 the population had declined and nearby gold mines failed. A proposed railroad was scrapped when oil proved a hopeless commodity as well.

Lawton grew slowly as people moved West and in 1950 the population was 35,000 and in 1990, 80,000. The US Army Field Artillery School at Fort Sill contributed much to this influx of new residents with its civilian jobs and military positions. The cooperative partnership between Lawton and Fort Still to the north has been a productive one.

Like all great Top 30 American Cities in the 21^st Century, Lawton's planners ensure continued growth through scheduled reconstruction of areas within the inner urban areas and restoration of historic landmarks. This can include historic commercial buildings, older homes, and other installations. It also includes brand new living spaces and sports and entertainment venues. Efficient planning increases the numbers of facilities in the downtown area at a rate at which business income can effectively grow and can be managed.

Where colleges, universities, vocational schools, and union-based apprenticeship programs operate nearby, the economy can benefit even further. This occurs where the training programs are supported by businesses that employ the trainees and graduated certificate or degree holders. The educational network often performs research related to the local business community in order to build business and new jobs. In the 21^st Century, this often includes green jobs, biotechnologies, medicine, alternative energy sources and similar breakthroughs.

Largest Employers in Lawton today include

1. Fort Sill - Over 5,000 government, military and civilian workers and open jobs. Large complex just north of Lawton.
2. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. -- All Goodyear Tire & Rubber Jobs in at Indeed.com.
3. Lawton Public Schools -- 4 High Schools, 4 Jr. High Schools, 28 Elementary Schools. Current student enrollment is approximately 33,000 with 1,100 certified teachers. Visit web site for details.
4. Commanche County Memorial Hospital -- http://www.medhunters.com/.
5. Stanley - Based in Virginia, Stanley is a major IT consultant to 40 government agencies, including a $570 million project with Homeland Security. 2007 revenues were over $600 million.

The Bank One Economic Outlook Center at Arizona State University rated Lawton as Number 6 in the nation fior the development of new nonagricultural jobs int he early 2000s. Lawton had been at 192nd previously.

1. Veterinary Techs
2. Network Systems and Data Communications Specialists
3. Veterinarians
4. Computer Applications Software Engineers
5. Personal and Home Care Aides
6. Gaming Surveillance Officers and Investigators
7. Gaming and Sports Book Writers and Runners
8. Home Health Aides
9. Pharmacy Technicians
10. Forensic Science Technicians

Jobs providing the most openings, because of growth and higher turnover:

1. Retail Salespersons
2. Cashiers
3. Waiters and Waitresses
4. College Level Instructors having a PhD
5. Registered Nurses (RNs)
6. Nurse's Aides
7. All Food and Beverage Prep and Service Jobs

Among all levels of education, from High School Diploma and On the Job Training all the way to the PhD, it is the PhD that is most needed in Oklahoma through 2016. Associate-Degreed people are next highly sought, followed by Masters Degrees in third place.

• Cameron University
• Aladdin Beauty Colleges
• Central Texas College in Oklahoma
• Columbia College
• Comanche National College
• Oklahoma State University
• Platt College
• Southwestern Oklahoma State University
• University of Oklahoma at Fort Sill
• Webster University at Fort Sill - Masters of Arts degrees in Human Resource Management, Management, and Computer Resources and Information Management. Open to active duty and retired military, spouses and children; civilians employed at Fort Still, Reservists, citizens of Lawton and Fort Sill, Sheppard AFB, and Altus AFB.

EMPLOYER TRAINING

The Center for Emerging Technology and Entrepreneurial Studies - Cameron University. Comprehensive assistance is made available for entrepreneurs throughout Southwest Oklahoma at this specialized center. CETES offers 1) a business incubator (start up plan) that for direct assistance to entrepreneurs, and 2) an academic program to produce highly qualified professionals ready to handle information-based economies.

Great Plains Technology Center - Free of charge to employers. Great Plains Technology Center and the Economic Development Center in Lawton aids employers with specialized training custom designed and delivered to staff by certified trainers.

• Lawton Constitution - Local news publication.
• Institute of the Great Plains - Historical society.
• Comanche National Museum and Water Park
• Mattie Beal Home - Original homestead.
• The Lawton Fort Sill Chamber of Commerce