Claremore to receive funding to increase economic development opportunities

February 3, 2022

CIEDA and the Oklahoma Department of Commerce 

The Oklahoma Department of Commerce (Commerce) announced that Claremore was one of 28 communities selected to receive funding to support the development of new industrial sites to market. The Claremore Industrial and Economic Development Authority (CIEDA) will utilize these funds to bolster growth and development at the Claremore Regional Airport. 

"We are honored to be selected as a recipient of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce's Targeted Opportunities Program," said Meggie Froman-Knight, executive director of the Claremore Industrial and Economic Development Authority. "The financial support provided through this grant will allow Claremore to invest resources promoting future economic development opportunities at the Claremore Regional Airport and continue our efforts to serve as Northeast Oklahoma's premier regional airport destination." 

• The grant funds can be used to help these communities
• Identify available sites capabilities;
• Identify what industries sites can support;
• Identify quantified site gaps and limitations;
• Conduct competitive capability assessments; and
• Make recommendations for investment in infrastructure gaps.

In November, Commerce announced plans to use a portion of a grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) for local economic development organizations (EDOs) or consortiums of EDOs for site and infrastructure evaluations. During the application period (Dec. 1, 2021, – Jan. 7, 2022), Commerce received applications from 39 communities.

“The response to this application was impressive and really shows the commitment our communities have to growth,” said Brent Kisling, Commerce executive director. “With the availability and capacity of sites being an area of concern, the primary consideration for choosing recipients was size of the properties submitted. This grant will help 28 Oklahoma communities better prepare for growth opportunities, and we at Commerce will put our heads down and work to find ways to help these and other communities succeed.”

More information on the Oklahoma Department of Commerce and the grant program can be found at okcommerce.gov. 

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About the Claremore Industrial and Economic Development Authority

The Claremore Industrial and Economic Development Authority (CIEDA) is a public trust organization formed in 1948 to stimulate economic growth and development for the city of Claremore. CIEDA oversees the Claremore Industrial Park and the Claremore Regional Airport, as well as facilitates the recruitment, retention, and expansion of primary industry jobs, and expansion of the sales tax base through the recruitment of new destination retail businesses. CIEDA additionally works to ensure a regional workforce pipeline through initiatives such as Partners in Education and Learn and Earn Program.