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Wagoner County economic development director presents quarterly update; board approves MOU and grant timeline extension
Summary
Darla Heller, Wagoner County economic development director, reviewed quarterly goals, incentives and assets of the economic development authority; commissioners approved an MOU for contract marketing services and authorized a timeline extension for a Department of Commerce PREP D grant for water/sewer engineering studies.
Darla Heller, Wagoner County economic development director, presented the department’s quarterly report to the board on April 7 and detailed work on site development, downtown commercial projects, small‑business classes, marketing and incentives.
Heller highlighted a recent incentive for Newton Design (referred to in the packet) that provides an incentive worth $500,000 in payroll‑tax credits disbursed over five years; the company is expected to add about 20 jobs with an average wage the packet lists as $89,000. Heller said the economic development authority still owns 141 acres of land, with a contract in place for 106 acres with D.R. Horton and two confidential inquiries on the remaining acreage.
Commissioners discussed options to consolidate economic development functions under the county commission or to retain the authority as a separate board; several commissioners said centralizing authority could provide continuity and faster decision making.
MOU for contract services: The board approved a memorandum of understanding with Meredith Olsen (listed on the agenda as Meredith) to provide contract marketing and project‑management services to support leadership Wagner County and other initiatives. The motion to approve the MOU passed on roll call (ayes recorded).
Grant timeline extension: Heller also requested and the board approved a letter to extend the timeline on Oklahoma Department of Commerce PREP D grant number 19 4 70 1 for engineering services that will study water and sewer feasibility in three county areas; the extension moves the final report deadline to March of the next year and will allow invoices to be paid to the provider before closeout.
Board action: The board voted to receive the economic development report and approved the MOU and the grant timeline extension. Commissioners discussed whether future structural changes — including placing the authority under the board or assigning the chairman to serve longer on the authority — would be brought back with options for consideration.
