Oklahoma Communities To Receive Funding For New Economic Development

The Oklahoma Department of Commerce says 28 communities across the state are getting funding for new economic development. Tulsa is one of 28 cities and communities splitting $1 million to bring industrial growth to the area.

The money is coming from the U.S. Economic Development Administration and will be used for evaluating and developing industrial sites that will bring businesses, jobs, and growth to those communities.

Jennifer Springer with the Oklahoma Department of Commerce says the initiative will make Oklahoma more competitive with surrounding states when it comes to companies choosing where to start new projects.

“We are at a huge advantage right now because there is a lot of dollars coming down that can be awarded to make upgrades,” Springer said. “We want to make sure we capitalize on that and understand exactly what types of improvements are necessary so we bring the right types of businesses to Oklahoma.”

Other cities getting funding include:

•Ada

• Alva

• Antlers*

• Atoka

• Bartlesville

• Blackwell

• Bristow

• Broken Arrow

• Broken Bow*

• Claremore

• Coweta

• Duncan

• Durant

• Enid

• Fort Gibson

• Guymon

• Hugo*

• Idabel*

• Lawton

• McAlester

• Norman

• Okemah

• Perry

• Stigler*

• Stillwater

• Tulsa

• Vinita

• Weatherford

“The hope is now these 28 communities will help develop those sites and understand what they need and we can partner with the communities to work to make those upgrades and then be able to recruit business,” Springer said.

The money has been awarded and the communities can begin the process of scouting out the areas they want to use it on.