MidAmerica Industrial Park officials break ground on The District and announce new greenfield expansion
09/15/2018
Officials at MidAmerica Industrial Park broke ground on The District, a 162-acre development that incorporates retail, residential, parks and trails near the State of Oklahoma’s largest employment center in Pryor, Okla.
“Today is the culmination of years of master planning MidAmerica Industrial Park to ensure we are providing the resources a prospective employer might consider as the tipping point for a site-selection decision,” Chief Administrative Officer David Stewart said. “The master plan includes significant capital investment in workforce development, land and infrastructure, and quality of life initiatives.”
The new development, known as The District, is a fusion of walkable retail areas and residential living combined with a natural environment that offers wide open spaces and outdoor activity. It includes 32,000 square feet of retail space, a 100-unit multi-story living complex, 100 residential homes, 10 acres of parks and outdoor spaces, which all connect via walking and biking trail systems.
“Experts will tell you, the ‘sense of place’ is now more important than ever as a key to success,” Stewart said. “Demographics of all ages are drawn to areas that provide the amenities of a big city, but with the affordability and convenience of a community.”
The District is part of a three-part MidAmerica master plan which includes ongoing capital investments in workforce and infrastructure.
The park’s workforce plan, called MidAmerica DELIVERS, has built 10 best-in-class STEM Labs and Career Centers throughout nine school districts in NE Oklahoma. Currently, MidAmerica is building a workforce Career Center within its on-site education partner, Roger State University.
“Already these efforts have positively impacted the future career options of more than 5,000 students and have assisted more than 350 teachers in efforts to teach STEM-oriented curriculum to all ages,” Stewart said.
Investments in land and infrastructure include building new roads and water systems to open greenfield sites for new development. The $6 million Armin Road expansion developed 300 new acres and was complete in 2018. MidAmerica will invest an additional $15 million over the next three years to create shovel-ready sites among 600 acres in the Igloo Valley Development and another 500 acres in the Ridgeline Development.
“This aggressive and proactive investment in infrastructure and workforce means MidAmeria can compete among top-tier, site-locations for mega employers,” Stewart said. “When complete, this investment will generate an additional 2,000 jobs and potential capital investment in three million square feet of new industrial space. In turn, the direct and indirect jobs benefit will provide more than $80 million in wages annually with the potential of generating an annual economic impact of $500 million.”
As part of its economic development efforts, MidAmerica has also established a Quick Action Incentive Fund. The criteria include thresholds for wages, total number of employees and targeted industry sectors.
“In order for the region to maximize its potential for our children and our citizens, both employers and employees must be able to learn here, work here and live here,” Stewart said. “The District is in anticipation of the growth we expect as a result of our investment in land, infrastructure and workforce. The District provides yet another economic transformation and that is to our quality of life experience.”
Designed by Cyntergy, The District begins immediate construction and anticipates completion in 2020. Retail recruitment is commencing through Adwon Properties with the first commitment by Red Crown Credit Union who already provides financial services for many workers at MidAmerica.