Partnership To Add Jobs To Cherokee Nation Businesses

Craig Day, News On 6

STILWELL, Oklahoma -- New jobs are coming to Green Country. The Cherokee Nation is teaming up with Baker Hughes, which is in the oil and gas industry.

The partnership is a unique pilot project with a lot of promise.

"It's really just a win-win situation," Chief Chad Smith, Cherokee Nation, said.

Baker Hughes provides a wide range of products and services in the oil and gas industry worldwide, with several facilities in Green Country. Cherokee Nation businesses will build parts for Baker Hughes.

"We've got a work force that wants to work. And we've got the vocational system, we've got the capital, we've got the business prowess, we've got all the pieces to make it work," Chief Smith.

Cherokee Chief Chad Smith said once programs are in place at various Vo-Techs-techs for employee training, work will begin at existing Cherokee companies, first in Stilwell and next in Pryor, where the Cherokees will soon open a manufacturing facility.

"Just a phenomenal opportunity," Smith said. "Great jobs. At home. A thriving industry. You couldn't ask for anything better."

The partnership will begin with an initial 20 to 40 employees, but could expand to 200 new jobs in a couple of years.

Chief Chad Smith hopes the relationship with Baker Hughes leads to partnerships with other large corporations. That could lead to longer term goals of opening small manufacturing facilities in communities across Green Country.