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November 9, 2009

County to apply for grant to lure industries here

By Liz McMahan



The Muskogee County Board of Commissioners took the first steps Monday toward applying for a grant in case the Port of Muskogee lands an industrial prospect.

Dave Davis, special projects coordinator, said Port Director Scott Robinson is meeting today with representatives of the prospective company.

“One of the things they are going to be discussing is the timing on an announcement,” Davis said. “Until they make a decision on when they’ll make a formal announcement, we can’t release anything.”

Davis said he is optimistic the deal will go through.

“I think it’s looking like it’s going to be the real deal,” Davis said. “If it goes through, we’re probably looking at 300 jobs.”

The paperwork signed by county commissioners are the first steps in the process for applying for a Community Development Block Grant, Davis said.

He said the new industry, if it moves to Muskogee, will be located at the port, on property already owned by the port. It will not involve moving the one or two houses occupied in the area.

Last month, Robinson received confirmation from the City of Muskogee Foundation that the foundation would have money available for industrial development if the opportunity arose.

In that presentation, Robinson primarily focused on using foundation funds for the acquisition of property for an industrial park.

He also talked about the need for being able to offer industrial prospects property that had utilities available.

Reach Liz McMahan at 684-2926 or lmcmahan@muskogeephoenix.com.

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