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All In on the Heartland: Leaders Convene in OKC for “Big Bets for America”

November 13, 2025

From Tulsa’s tech startups to Enid’s main street, innovation is taking root across Oklahoma. The momentum of that movement was on full display in Oklahoma City last week, where more than 200 leaders gathered for Big Bets for America: Oklahoma City. Co-hosted by Heartland Forward and The Rockefeller Foundation, the convening was designed with a simple, but ambitious goal: identify and accelerate the “big bets” that can move communities forward, from AI readiness and workforce development to health, defense innovation and local investment. 

Hosted in one of America’s fastest-growing cities, the event brought together policymakers, philanthropists, investors, entrepreneurs and community leaders to connect transformative ideas with the people, capital and influence needed to amplify their impact.

“It was a fantastic opportunity to host this event in Oklahoma City,” said Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt. “Much of our city’s success is built on public-private partnership, and there were a lot of potential partners in the room today. There were also a lot of people who can draw inspiration from our city’s journey, and we welcome those opportunities as well. Oklahoma City is truly one of the great success stories of the heartland, and we are always thrilled to share that story.”

For Heartland Forward, the event served as both a convening and a launchpad for two major new initiatives designed to accelerate economic growth and advance opportunity across the heartland:

  • Heartland Forward’s Center for Investment Readiness: The Center for Investment Readiness will serve as a dedicated hub for research and strategic program development, working to enhance investor confidence and support thriving businesses across the heartland. Its cornerstone initiative, 30 by 2030, will create a model for investment readiness, advising 30 micropolitans and small metropolitans over the next five years. The center will focus on measurably improving community competitiveness to attract investment dollars, demonstrating pathways for capital deployment that can be replicated throughout communities in the heartland.
  • Heartland Forward’s AI Caucus: The Heartland AI Caucus is a bipartisan group of state executive and legislative leaders committed to harnessing the power of AI in the heartland, ensuring the heartland is ready to lead in the age of AI. Guided by safety, transparency and strong coordination across state government, education, health care and workforce, the caucus will be led by Arkansas Senate President Pro Tempore Bart Hester, and will focus on developing and advancing smart AI policy, acting as a regional resource and serving as a model for effective AI leadership for the heartland and the country. 

    “The heartland has always been where big ideas take root, and Oklahoma City embodies that spirit,” said Angie Cooper, president of Heartland Forward. “It was inspiring to be in a community that showcases the innovation, collaboration and determination driving growth across our region. OKC provided the perfect platform for Heartland Forward to launch the Center for Investment Readiness and the Heartland AI Caucus—bold initiatives that will accelerate economic growth, fuel our region’s competitiveness and strengthen our talent pipeline.”

Additional sessions throughout the day focused on a range of topics, from education and upskilling initiatives to the heartland’s unique positioning to lead in defense innovation. Panelists highlighted the region’s strong university research base, advanced manufacturing capabilities and cultural connection to the military—all of which are fueling new opportunities for high-skilled jobs and local growth.

“Culturally, the heartland is oriented towards the military. At our state universities, the percentage of U.S. nationals conducting advanced research at universities is much higher than it is in many of the institutions on the coasts. And yet, the defense research and development dollars historically have not flowed into this part of the country,” said Jay Harrison, CEO and Founder of Xtremis. “We are already starting to see that change. The workforce opportunities here—and that cultural connection to the military—make it possible for us to recruit high-end talent to the heartland.”

The conversation underscored a central theme of the day: the heartland’s talent, industrial strength and institutions aren’t just participating in America’s next chapter of innovation, they’re leading it.

Several additional announcements at the event showcased how partners across industries are investing in the heartland and our country’s future:

  • Heartland Forward announced a new partnership with the BlackRock Foundation to expand opportunities in the skilled trades, connecting high school students in Arkansas and Oklahoma with training and employers—including collaborations with rootEd schools in rural communities. The goal with this initiative is to highlight the breadth of career opportunities within the skilled workforce and aim to inspire students to pursue meaningful, community-strengthening careers in these high-demand fields.
  • The Rockefeller Foundation announced the next class of U.S. Big Bets Fellows and launched the AI Readiness Project in partnership with the Center for Civic Futures to help governments build capacity and confidence to use AI responsibly.
  • CARE USA committed to reaching one million low-income women and families in the United States by 2030 through disaster, health and economic mobility programs, continuing its long legacy of community support.

Throughout the day, leaders underscored that the heartland’s communities, industries and institutions are central to America’s future, a sentiment echoed by Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt.

“As long as we have the freedom in America to get an education, to build a business, to pursue a career, the American Dream isn’t dead and, this year, we are going to reignite the American Dream,” said Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt. “For the American Dream to thrive, Americans need access to good jobs, a relevant and impactful education system and energy that can power our future.”

That spirit—collaborative, practical and deeply local—came through in every conversation in Oklahoma City. It is clear: progress happens when people come together to make bold bets on their future.

Heartland Forward and its partners are proving what is possible when the country invests in the people and places that keep America moving forward. Now more than ever, the heart of America is ready to lead.

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