Okmulgee Area Development Corp

05/20/2026

Today, Green Country Technology Center and Okmulgee Area Development Corporation hosted an Okmulgee Area Manufacturing Roundtable that brought together local manufacturing leadership alongside workforce and education resource partners.

The purpose of the roundtable was simple: create space for local manufacturers to connect with one another, share current operational and workforce challenges, and have honest conversation about what they are experiencing on the ground in today’s environment.

The discussion covered a wide range of topics including workforce availability, applicant readiness, training needs, operational pressures, growth planning, and the changing realities manufacturers are navigating across the industry. A significant portion of the conversation focused on generational shifts within the workforce and the challenges employers face today — not only finding skilled workers or individuals willing to be trained, but also finding employees who consistently show up, engage, and adapt to the expectations required in modern manufacturing environments.

Based upon the level of engagement and active discussion today, it became clear this conversation needs to continue. The group expressed strong interest in continuing to meet in a similar format — not simply to talk about challenges, but to explore real possibilities, partnerships, and practical solutions. None of these issues are simple, and there are many layers involved, but one thing was evident around the table today: if communities, employers, educators, and workforce partners are unwilling to discuss these realities openly, meaningful solutions will never emerge.

We appreciate the manufacturers who took time out of busy schedules to participate and share candid feedback, along with the workforce and education partners who attended to listen, learn, and better understand how local systems can continue supporting industry needs.

Manufacturing remains a major driver of the Okmulgee area economy, and continued collaboration between industry, education, workforce partners, and community organizations matters.

A big thanks to East Central Electric Cooperative for providing the space for today's meeting and for GCTC for sponsoring the meal.

05/18/2026

One thing I’ve learned through economic development and industrial business retention efforts is that company expansions rarely happen in a straight line. Or in a short time period.

Expansion planning is a process of:
• evaluating operational flow
• forecasting growth
• addressing infrastructure needs
• adapting to market conditions
• balancing costs and timing
• and sometimes taking a few steps forward before taking one back to reassess

Strong companies plan carefully, and sustainable growth usually comes through steady long-term decision making rather than overnight change.

We recently met with leadership at Pump and Motor Works (PMW) alongside Bartlett & West engineering team to continue conversations surrounding their future expansion planning. What many people don’t see is that these discussions often take years — not months.

I’ve personally been part of conversations with PMW for at least five years as the company has continued operating, growing, evaluating needs, adjusting priorities, exploring options, revising plans, and balancing timelines while still serving their customers every day.

We appreciate Pump and Motor Works, their leadership, their business and their visionary planning as they continue to grow right here in Okmulgee.

04/28/2026

OADC Executive Director Deb Marshall is representing Okmulgee at the 2026 SEDC Site Selection Summit, joining economic developers from the American South (see image for the states that are included). From Oklahoma, economic development professionals from Ardmore, Broken Arrow, Duncan, Lawton, Shawnee, OKC, Tulsa, and Tulsa Ports are also here for the Summit. The world of industrial development has always been competitive and with its challenges, so learning how our small rural community can step up even more to attract new capital investment and high paying jobs is critical. It doesn't happen quickly or easily and making new connections and learning new trends is going to be helpful.

04/23/2026

Heads up for anyone traveling near the Fairgrounds Road / Hwy 75 area over the next few weeks—

This is a full closure, not partial, so normal access points won’t be available. If you’re headed to the Omniplex, Safe Space, or the Travel Plaza, your usual route will likely need to shift.

Also—if you’re heading to Harlan Ford, you can still get there. Access is available by turning in between Holiday Inn Express & Suites Okmulgee and Tractor Supply Co..

Bottom line: plan ahead, expect delays, and give yourself extra time—especially with truck traffic and detours in play.

Appreciate the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Department of Transportation taking on the work to improve this corridor—it’s not always convenient in the moment, but it matters long-term.

🚧 Road Closure Notice Fairgrounds Road Construction 🚧

The Muscogee (Creek) Nation Department of Transportation will continue construction on Fairgrounds Road starting Monday, April 27, 2026.

⚠️ IMPORTANT:
- The entire road will be CLOSED there will be NO through access.
- Turning lanes from Highway 75 onto Fairgrounds Road will also be closed.
- Construction is expected to continue through the end of May.

➡️ Detour Info:
Please use the alternate routes shown on the attached map.

🚗 Omniplex & Safe Space Traffic:
Enter from Gun Club Road & Highway 75, then turn south on Preston Drive.
Expect delays and use extra caution, this is a high traffic intersection.

⛽ Travel Plaza Access:
There will be only ONE way in and out during construction.
Please watch for truck traffic and allow plenty of space when entering/exiting!! 🚛

⏰ Plan Ahead:
Give yourself extra commute time and stay alert while traveling through the area.

📲 For updates and progress, follow:
Muscogee (Creek) Nation Department of Transportation / Federal Roads

We appreciate your patience and cooperation as this important project is completed

Mvto

04/21/2026

Throwback to our very first Manufacturing Matters video, published in July 2024 featuring PACCAR Winch here in Okmulgee.

Since then, the company has gone through a transition and is now operating as Arrowhead Winch following an acquisition.

While the name has changed, what hasn’t changed is the strength of manufacturing in our community—the people, the skill, and the work happening every day inside that facility.

This video captures a point in time, but the bigger story continues.

Take a look (or a second look)

3 likes, 1 comment. "Manufacturing Matters: Season 1, Episode 1 Arrowhead Winch"

04/21/2026

Big congratulations to the Liberty Partners team on this milestone—this is a big deal.

Achieving ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100:2016 certification doesn’t happen by accident. It takes discipline, strong internal systems, and a team committed to doing things the right way every day. That level of quality and consistency is exactly what the aerospace industry demands—and exactly what sets companies apart.

We’re proud to have Liberty Partners as part of the Okmulgee area’s manufacturing community. This is the kind of work and commitment that continues to strengthen our local industry base and reputation.

We’re proud to share that Liberty Partners has officially achieved ISO 9001:2015 / AS9100:2016 certification.

This certification reflects our continual commitment to quality management, continuous improvement, and the high standards required in the aerospace industry.

For our clients, it means even more confidence that our processes are built around consistency, precision, and accountability.

This is an important milestone for Liberty Partners, and we’re incredibly proud of our team for the hard work that made it possible!

04/17/2026

Originally established in the late 1920s as Pittsburg Plate Glass, the Henryetta facility has been part of the community’s industrial backbone for nearly a century. Transitioning to container glass production under Anchor in the mid-1970s, it has continued to evolve with the times while remaining a steady source of local jobs.

Today, Anchor Glass remains Henryetta’s (and Okmulgee County's) largest private employer. The recent rebuild of Tank #1 — one of the largest glass melting furnaces of its kind — was not just a maintenance project. It was a critical investment to ensure the plant remains operational, competitive, and positioned for the future.

In heavy manufacturing, furnace rebuilds are major undertakings that signal long-term commitment. This investment helps secure local jobs today and reinforces Henryetta’s role in supplying glass containers to customers across the country. With additional modernization planned in the coming years, Anchor Glass continues to demonstrate that advanced manufacturing still has a strong future here.

For nearly a century, Anchor Glass has been part of Henryetta’s story — and it’s still going strong.

What happens inside those walls matters to families, to our economy, and to our future.

We recently had the opportunity to go behind the scenes for our next Manufacturing Matters episode and we're excited to provide you the opportunity to take a look inside Anchor Glass.

04/15/2026

We’re continuing to expand how and where Okmulgee shows up. You may not see it day-to-day, but there’s a lot happening behind the scenes to position Okmulgee for future growth.

One piece of that work is telling our story in the places that matter.

Our latest advertorial is now live through a national Trade & Industry email campaign, reaching decision makers, site selectors and industry leaders who are actively looking for communities like ours.

Here's a link to the online version of that newsletter:
https://content.bridgemailsystem.com/pms/v/w/jbHt21Nq30Uu33Ry26Dt17Jw20Gs21Qt30Vv33jf/jbGs21Sv30Qq33Jq26Iy17Hu20jc/

04/14/2026

In just the past week, we’ve had a couple of calls from folks trying to track down their County Commissioner or District barn.

So when Emergency Management shared this list, it felt worth passing along.

There’s a lot of ground to cover in Okmulgee County—literally—and these teams handle everything from road conditions to day-to-day maintenance. If you ever need to reach them, this should help point you in the right direction.

04/14/2026

Grateful for our partners at the Muscogee Nation and the ongoing improvements to Fairgrounds Road.

This investment supports their festivals and events, strengthens access to the Okmulgee Business Complex as we work to attract new industry and jobs, and improves a route that so many in our community use every day.

It’s a great example of how one project can create impact across multiple fronts.

Muscogee Creek Nation Department of Transportation / Federal Roads