FROM THE DESK OF DAVID STEWART: The Long View on Growth
04/13/2026
At MidAmerica Industrial Park, we often talk about planning with the long view. Big projects do not create lasting benefit on their own. The real work happens in the years that follow, when a community strengthens its tax base, invests in infrastructure and builds the housing and services that support families and the workforce.
That is why our long-term experience with Google matters for Mayes County. Google purchased a pre-existing building at MidAmerica in 2007 and began operations in 2011. Over time, that investment has helped strengthen our local tax base and create a more stable foundation for community priorities, especially education.
Ad valorem revenue tied to industrial investment has allowed our schools to make decisions from a position of strength. When a district can invest consistently in facilities, technology and educators, it changes what is possible for students and it strengthens the entire community.
We have also learned that responsible growth is not only about what happens inside the fence line. It is about what happens around it. At MidAmerica, we have paired major industry with quality-of-life investments designed to support workforce participation and long-term retention. The District and West 530 are visible examples of that effort, along with continued plans for additional housing, trails and community space.
This kind of development does not happen by accident. It is the result of thoughtful planning, conservative investment and strong partnerships. When we align infrastructure early and build for the full ecosystem, we create the conditions for stability and long-term opportunity.
As more communities consider data center projects, we believe our experience reinforces a simple point. When standards are met and investments are thoughtful, responsible development can strengthen education, expand opportunity and support long-term prosperity for the region.
Onward,
David Stewart
Chief Administrative Officer, MidAmerica Industrial Park