Rickey Hayes, the executive widely credited with creating Owassos retail bonanza, has been retained by the Broken Arrow Economic Development Corp. to help attract retail growth here.

Hayes resigned as Owassos economic development director in December to form Retail Attractions, consulting with communities on planning, marketing and attracting strategies intended to recruit commercial developments, retail establishments and restaurants.

In addition to his BA contract, Hayes has been retained by Glenpool, Claremore and Coweta to assist in their retail development.

We needed Rickey to supercharge our retail development efforts, said Mickey Thompson, president and CEO of the Broken Arrow Area Chamber of Commerce and BAEDC. "We expect him to do for Broken Arrow what he did for Owasso recruit appropriate retail businesses to serve the community and to increase the sales and ad valorem tax base as a means of improving city services and public education.

Thompson said Tammy Fate, the chamber and EDC Web site and marketing manager, will support Retail Attractions with market research, promotion materials and marketing efforts.