Ardmore, OK - The state of Oklahoma stands in a brighter light after studies show its major cities have one of the strongest local economies in the nation.

It's another day at the office for store owner Jerry Henderson. He owns the Garden Station store right off Broadway near the Ardmore historical district.

At his place you can pretty much find anything you can think of when it comes to decorating your garden or backyard. Waterfalls and lots of other multi colored trinkets line the shelves of Henderson's outdoor patio.

According to officials, Oklahoma is one of the more fortunate states when it comes to local economic decline. But even though business isn't all that bad, owners say they're still trying to give you more incentive to get you to spend your money.

And Garden Station it's no different, but Henderson says even though he's remained competitive during these difficult times, he really hasn't noticed much of a decline in his sales.

"Over the last eight to twelve months it's been equal as far as comparison in years past. Actually the landscape business has been good because more people are traveling less and doing more of their homes and taking care of their backyards,” said Henderson.

A little further down Broadway Street is the restaurant The Cellar, where not only can you grab a bite to eat, but take “how-to” notes from owner Jackie Fackerell on making home-made wine. She started her business about a year ago when the nation was at its economic low. But you won't find any financial doom and gloom here, Fackerell's place is doing well.

“We have had great success it is really revitalizing downtown Ardmore because people are now coming back to the historic district. So I have not really felt an economic crunch but what I have felt is a growing swell of enthusiasms to downtown Ardmore,” said Fackerell.

Officials say that because the state of Oklahoma was already an affordable place to live and work the dark economical cloud of recession is less noticeable.

And Texas came in a close second as the state with strong local economies in its major cities.