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Mid‑America economic development official outlines retail recruitment, downtown project and aerospace outreach
Summary
Shannon Duhaime of the Mid‑America Economic Development Service told the Miami City Council on Sept. 16 that the agency is pursuing retail recruitment through a possible Oklahoma Department of Commerce grant (up to $50,000 with a local match), is nearing a downtown Main Street development with a tenant already signed, and is exploring aerospace opportunities with Drone Port Network.
Shannon Duhaime, representing the Mid‑America Economic Development Service, briefed the Miami City Council on ongoing and planned economic-development efforts, including fundraising, grant-seeking, a downtown project and outreach to retail and aerospace industries.
Duhaime described the annual Great Deer Hunt, a recreational event for paralyzed and disabled veterans hosted by River Bottom Sportsman and the Mid‑America chapter of the Paralyzed Veterans of America. The hunt runs Oct. 29–Nov. 1, with an opening ceremony on Oct. 30 at Commerce High School’s gymnasium; Duhaime invited council members and the public to Friday’s public events and the Friday fish fry.
He said Mid‑America EDS raises revenue through its contract with the City of Miami, a contract with the Quapaw Nation, interest on investments, and a revolving loan fund. Duhaime said the organization is launching its annual fundraising letters and that funds will help match grants and support local programs begun after the city’s economic-development strategic plan and housing study.
Duhaime told the council he applied that morning for a grant through the Oklahoma Department of Commerce for up to $50,000; the grant requires a local match, and the organization would use the funds for a retail development program to recruit and market Miami to retailers. He said the organization plans to attend the Red River Show (a retail trade conference in Texas, held in San Antonio in February) with a team to better present Miami to potential retail tenants.
Duhaime said the agency is close to announcing a downtown Main Street project that would use city‑owned property to build a speculative building with an already‑signed tenant; he said the approach is different because the agency intends to build with a tenant secured rather than waiting for one. He also announced a Teams meeting scheduled for Monday at 10 a.m. with Drone Port Network, an Oklahoma City company that assists communities pursuing aerospace and drone-economy projects, and invited council members to join.
Duhaime thanked Mayor Parker and councilmember Tyler (who serve on the agency board) and named Jody Francisco as field operations lead for the hunt. He said further details and formal proposals will be brought to the council when available.
