Northeast Oklahoma Automotive Coalition (NOAC)

Member Counties: Mayes, Muskogee, Rogers, Tulsa, Wagoner, Washington

Driving to Success with Plans for Auto Assembly

When the Northeast Oklahoma Automotive Coalition--a regional partnership of private and public interests--decided to conduct a project affecting a good portion of Northeastern Oklahoma, they learned, as most do, that you can't do economic development in a vacuum.

"Major economic development projects require much more than a single community effort," says Jay Clemens, president of the Metro Tulsa Chamber of Commerce. "Companies want to locate in areas where there is a cooperative pro-business spirit." 

Purpose: Involve private business, Tulsa area industrial development authorities, and city and county officials to research the potential and develop the automotive assembly and supporting industries throughout Northeastern Oklahoma.

Project Overview: 

NOAC is using the grant money for Phase I of a three-phased project to determine the suitability of mega sites (1,500 plus acres) for automotive assembly plants and supporting industries in Northeastern Oklahoma.

In Phase I, the group hired consultants Lockwood Greene ( Atlanta, GA), a leading engineering and site location firm, to conduct the assessment. Lockwood Greene identified two sites--Fair Oaks in Rogers County and MidAmerica Industrial Park in Mayes County--for detailed review. It also made recommendations for site development.

Phase II, includes the development of marketing materials for the primary manufacturing sites and the secondary supplier sites. Additional supplier sites are being identified and marketing plans prepared. NOAC hired Angelou Economics to assist with developing the marketing materials.

In Phase III, NOAC members and the Oklahoma Department of Commerce plan to promote Northeast Oklahoma automotive sites to locators, automotive manufacturers, and suppliers through a series of trade shows, call trips, direct mailings, and advertising.

Project Benefits:

• Create jobs and boost the economy. A typical automotive assembly plant will employ about 2,000 to 4,000 direct jobs and have a direct investment potential close to $1 billion per plant.
• Develop the automotive industry fully throughout Northeastern Oklahoma by attracting supplier businesses.

Lessons Learned

• Take on one project at a time and try to keep the focus relatively narrow.
• Listen to the needs of the communities and businesses you hope to serve.
• Follow up with stakeholders as the project progresses--weekly or monthly e-mail updates or face-to-face visits whenever possible.