𝐄𝐜𝐨𝐧 𝐃𝐞𝐯 𝟏𝟎𝟐: 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐃𝐨 𝐒𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐂𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐂𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬?

A community member recently asked a great question after reading about a new Amazon delivery facility planned for Broken Arrow:

“𝑾𝒉𝒚 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝑶𝒌𝒎𝒖𝒍𝒈𝒆𝒆?”

It’s a fair question, and it’s also a good example of how different types of companies choose locations. Of course, we would have welcomed the opportunity to be considered for a project like that. However, the process of industrial economic development has its own set of nuances and rules.

Facilities like Amazon delivery stations are part of a regional logistics network. Companies typically place these based on factors like population density, delivery routes, and proximity to major highways so they can reach the largest number of customers as quickly as possible. That’s why many of them tend to cluster near larger metro areas and existing shipping hubs.

In this case, the Broken Arrow location sits nearby a major FedEx shipping facility, which most likely factored into Amazon’s decision as they continue expanding their delivery network.

It’s also worth noting that projects like this don’t always come through a traditional recruitment process through the Department of Commerce or regional economic development organizations. In many cases, companies identify sites through their own research or work directly with developers and brokers who already have properties available.

While the national economy remains fairly strong overall, many companies and site selection consultants are watching conditions carefully right now. Higher construction costs, interest rates, and general economic uncertainty mean some projects are moving forward more cautiously than they might have a few years ago.

That’s why preparing our assets matters for those future opportunities.  What does that look like in Okmulgee, at least from the OADC lane?

In Okmulgee, we’ve been focused on building the infrastructure and readiness needed to compete when the right opportunity arises.  For the past few years, our priority has been the Okmulgee Business Complex (OBC) which will be an ideal location for mid-sized industrial and rail-served manufacturing projects.

The OADC also owns about 27 acres of land in what we call the West Industrial Area, which is an industrial corridor already serving several manufacturing and industrial-based companies. We will soon be focusing on bringing that land into site readiness for future opportunities.

A reminder: while recruitment gets a lot of attention and applause, another important part of economic development is supporting the companies already here. As recently reported, several local manufacturers have expanded their operations in recent years, representing significant investment — to the tune of approximately $350 million — in facilities, equipment, and jobs right here in our community.

Economic development looks different from place to place, but the goal is always the same: building long-term job opportunity and investment for our community.

And sometimes, the most important work is making sure a community is ready before the right opportunity ever comes along.