Theevolution of Oklahoma’s MidAmericaIndustrialPark

Originally amunitions plant duringWWII, Oklahoma’s MidAmerica Industrial Park has arich historyofre-invention and transformation.

Morethan 60 yearsago,the Oklahoma Legislatureformed a public trust authoritytopurchase the land and capitalizeon Oklahoma’s resourcestoattract jobs and investmenttothe state

Today, MidAmerica Industrial Park is the eighth largest of its kind in the world, the thirdlargest in the United States and the number one largest megasite available in Oklahoma.

“Decades of visionaryleaders at the State Capitol and on MidAmerica’s BoardofTrustees have all contributed to its 60 years of success,” said MidAmerica CEO David Stewart.“The continuity of leadership and conservative, strategic investments have laid the groundwork forthe growth we are experiencing.”

With aconsiderable critical mass of morethan 80 companies and an employmentbase of more than 4,500 people in differentand diverse industrysegments, the park generates morethan $732 million in wages and salaries each year.Itishome to five Fortune 500 companies, includingthe secondlargest Google Data Center in the world.

MidAmerica is centrally located between Tulsa and Northwest Arkansas, which is home to the largest concentration of corporate wealth in the United States. It is within 300 miles of 10 major metropolitan cities and has a next-dayservicecapabilityto23% of the U.S.population. MidAmerica’s transportation, distribution and logistics boasts access to four interstates, on-site Union Pacific rail and switchyard,the nation’s most inland water port, and two international airports

“Likeany business, an organization must continuously evolve, not only to remain relevant, but also to surpass the competition,” Stewart said. “For the last 10 years, we have methodically positioned MidAmerica as amegasite fora megaemployer.”

MidAmerica’s considerable competitiveadvantages arealso responsible forexplosiveprospect interest

On-site partner,the Grand River DamAuthorityprovides reliable and cost-effectiveelectricity from adiverse portfolio of powergeneration. MidAmerica’s investmenttoexpand its ownwater and wastewater treatmentplants ensures the Park can be nimble and responsivetoanew employers growth and infrastructureneeds.

The evolution of MidAmerica Industrial Park into amulti-faceted employmentcenter is even more evidentasitprepares forpopulation growth in anticipation of anew, major employer. MidAmerica is attractingand incentivizingnew housingdevelopments, recruiting newretail and entertainmentand investinginparks, biketrails and natural resources.

“In recent years, our focus has been on turninginnovation into implementation and reducing barrierstoour region’s economic advancement,”Stewart said. “Weare at atippingpointwhere amajor projectwill complete the transformation of not only MidAmerica, but positively impactall of Oklahoma.”