Download or read book Grand Lake - the Crown Jewel of Oklahoma written by Jim Weeks and published by . This book was released on 2014-02-15 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: All of those who are dependent on a vibrant economy in northeastern Oklahoma owe a debt of gratitude to those early pioneers who recognized the benefit of harnessing the Grand River for hydro-power, flood control, recreation and the engine of economic development. Not much happens outside of agriculture endeavors in the economy of northeastern Oklahoma which isn't impacted by Grand Lake - The Crown Jewell of Oklahoma. Grand Lake has often been referred to as the economic Goose who laid the Golden Egg. It has transformed one of the poorest regions in Oklahoma to one of the most vibrant with a population growth rate matched by but a few other locations in our state. That proverbial Goose created an environment to generate more boat sales than the rest of state combined, to be home for more than 60% of moored boats in our state and having created a fabulous mecca of real estate developments which have allowed Grand Lake to lay claim to hottest retirement destination in our state. The growth of Grand Lake and that of the Grand Lake business community have been one and the same since August of 1940 and the filling of Grand Lake for all the purposes it was designed to achieve... It created a positive kick-start to an ever-growing economic engine, which in all likelihood, could not be duplicated today.