Copyright © 2002 NLThomas
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TAHLEQUAH, OK - Tahlequah, a relatively normal and modest small town 60 miles southeast of Tulsa, went from the ordinary to the extraordinary during a one-week span in December.

Between December 13 and 20, both American Woodmark, a leading supplier of kitchen cabinetry, and Fast Trac Manufacturing, a rapidly growing manufacturer of parts and accessories for cruiser and touring motorcycles, announced they would bring more than 700 new manufacturing jobs to this community of just over 14,000 residents.

"My phone was ringing off the wall on Christmas Eve", said Tahlequah Mayor Jerry Cook. "I had calls from city managers and economic development directors all across the country, from Arizona to Georgia. Everyone wants to know what we're doing."

While average in many ways, Tahlequah is not your standard Oklahoma town. As the capital of the Cherokee Nation, the second largest Indian Nation and home to Northeastern State University, the fourth largest University in the state, Tahlequah has long held many resources coveted by businesses looking to expand or relocate. However, until recently, this Cherokee County seat had not even registered as a blip on the economic development radar screen.

What is making the difference?

The mayor, the Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation and other community leaders point to two important changes that have led to the recent business development activities. First, a revived partnership between the city, the Cherokee Nation and the University has created a sense of shared purpose and proved momentum to the fledgling Tahlequah Industrial Authority. Second, an investment by SBC Southwestern Bell in the communication infrastructure of the community has provided a key economic development tool.

"This is the best example of synergy that I’ve ever seen", said Dr. Larry Williams President of Northeastern State University, a regional university of nearly 9,000 students. "Most of the resources have been here for years, but they were protected and guarded. Once we came together with a focus on communicating and cooperating, we all recognized we had the assets many cities much larger than ours are desperately struggling to find."

"In the 1990’s our community experienced tremendous growth in population, but we were not able to keep pace in the job creation department", Cook said. "These two new companies, along with the Dollar Rent-A-Car call center that opened a few years ago in the industrial park, provide the job diversification we wanted to bring. And, we believe, this is just the start."

"These businesses came to Tahlequah because of dedicated recruiting efforts by entities that haven't always worked together", said Chad Smith, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. "We had a tremendous diversity of interests working together to pool our talents and resources to make this happen."

The new partnership now allows the Tahlequah Industrial Authority to recruit businesses by offering an integrated and advanced array of technology, work force development, and payroll incentive packages.

"We really have a wonderful package to sell when we sit down with a potential tenant", said TIA chairman Roy Cartwright. “We may be a little smaller than some other cities, but because we are all working together, we have a package that is competitive with anyone. When you combine access to those resources with a community that offers the history, culture, recreation and atmosphere of Tahlequah, many companies are very interested."

Cartwright said the TIA acts as a quarterback, coordinating a powerful business recruiting team.

The city of Tahlequah works with businesses on land acquisition and extending utility lines and roads to industrial sites and site preparation. The Cherokee Nation offers a system of employee training and recruiting for new businesses, as well as partnerships with state employment and training agencies.

"We all want to see local people employed in good, career path jobs", Smith said. "Every job we can create means more opportunities for everyone, whether they are Cherokee, Creek or non-Indian."

Federal tax incentives also encourage locating businesses within Indian nations and employing Native Americans.

NSU's campus provides cutting-edge communication technology, meeting and entertainment facilities and the undergraduate and graduate degree programs needed to develop and train the local and regional workforce.

State agencies, including the department of commerce, transportation and a statewide network of technical training facilities have been an integral part of the recruitment process.

"The city is doing all we can to provide incentives for businesses to locate here", Cook said. "But the expertise available from state agencies allows us to more professionally package our recruitment efforts and help develop further incentives for businesses."

The partnerships expand beyond state, local and tribal governments. Other businesses, especially SBC-Southwestern Bell, help make successful business recruitment possible.

Southwestern Bell's most recent investment in Tahlequah was also a result of the coordinated and cooperative effort. “Tahlequah had a vision of where they wanted to go and they recognized they needed our help to get there", said SWB Oklahoma Area Manager Craig Cromley. "They brought us a proposal and we worked together to find a solution."

Southwestern Bell first delivered DSL service to Tahlequah and then solidified their commitment to the community by providing a Synchronous Optical Network, assuring continuous service in Tahlequah. "Obviously, we recognize the importance of reliable communication for today's businesses and we are thrilled to be a part of the aggressive and progressive work that is being done in Tahlequah,” added Cromley.

What makes Tahlequah unique?

Businesses looking at Tahlequah as a possible location will find exceptional outdoor recreational activities, an enduring history, and numerous entertainment and cultural experiences available though the Cherokee Nation and NSU.

Surrounded by hills, located along the scenic Illinois River and beautiful Lake Tenkiller, Tahlequah has long been a favorite retirement and vacation spot. Now, businesses interested in maintaining a high quality of life are looking to Tahlequah as well.

"There is no place on earth more beautiful than the heart of the Cherokee Nation", Smith said. “On top of the natural beauty of Tahlequah, there's a wide variety of entertainment and cultural events year-round."

Northeastern State University showcases NCAA division II athletics, the Northeast Oklahoma Symphony Orchestra, numerous theatrical and musical venues and the Sequoyah Institute, which brings Broadway touring shows to the community.

The Cherokee Heritage Center presents the award winning 'Trail of Tears' drama throughout the summer and offers year-round tours of an ancient Cherokee village and a modern interactive museum.

All partners involved in bringing American Woodmark to Tahlequah invite the public and the media to attend the official announcement and groundbreaking ceremony at the Indian Capital Technology Center Wednesday, January 9 at 1:30 pm. For more information, call 918-456-0671 (ext. 2210).