Edmond Launches Campaign to Stem Sales Tax Leakage

The city's Edmond Start Here campaign aims to keep residents' spending at home as its budget stays flat.

Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Economic Indicators

Edmond Launches Campaign to Stem Sales Tax Leakage

Live Poll

Do you plan to shop and dine in Edmond more often than elsewhere?

The City of Edmond launched the Edmond Start Here campaign on Election Day to slow retail leakage from residents spending in Fake Edmond, elsewhere, or online. The effort follows a flat budget last year caused by low sales tax receipts.

Why it matters

An estimated $19.6 million in annual sales tax revenue leaves Edmond for Oklahoma City, and city limits that are confusing to residents contribute to the outflow. The campaign seeks to recapture that revenue to support city services.

The city estimates $19.6 million in annual sales tax revenue leaks from Edmond to Oklahoma City, against a population of roughly 100,000 residents and 6.6 million annual visitors. The source does not specify how much of that revenue the campaign is expected to recapture.

The players

Mark Nash

Mark Nash is the mayor of Edmond, Oklahoma, who proclaimed Edmond Day and called for a concentrated effort to address the city's flat budget.

The details

The campaign includes an Edmond Start Here website and a YouTube video, and it will highlight different aspects of the city by season, including wellness, festivals, community activities, and back-to-school shopping. Mayor Mark Nash also proclaimed November 3 as Edmond Day, and the city earlier erected and promoted new wayfinding signs.

2025: Nash called for a concentrated effort amid a flat budget.
Oct. 26: The mayor read the proclamation at a City Council meeting.
Nov. 3: The Edmond Start Here campaign launched on Election Day.

Market Dynamics

Edmond's campaign responds to Oklahoma City retailers drawing sales tax revenue from Edmond-area shoppers, a pattern that has left the city with a flat budget. The effort tries to reverse a regional spending flow rather than grow the city's overall retail base.

Residents who shop in Edmond keep sales tax revenue local, which funds city services and budgets. Shopping in Oklahoma City or online sends that revenue elsewhere, so the campaign asks residents to spend within city limits.

The takeaway

Keeping everyday spending within city limits directly supports the revenue that funds Edmond's services. Residents can start by checking whether routine purchases can be made locally before going elsewhere.