Claremore Daily Progress

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August 10, 2009

BENCH SITTIN' — Expansion coming sooner than later

By Randy Cowling, Managing Editor

August 9, 2009 — Changes are coming to Claremore. Apparently it is coming sooner rather than later.

This week Sen. Jim Inhofe, Oklahoma’s senior senator in Congress, announced the awarding of a $1.9 million grant to the city.

The Economic Development Administration approved the grant that will fund a regional railroad-based trans-modal facility in the Claremore North Business Park.

What’s a trans-modal facility?

Tim Hight, executive director for the Claremore Industrial and Economic Development Authority, describes the facility as a hub where railroads can enter the business park, stop and unload freight into warehouses at a central facility.

At this time, Hight said CIEDA will begin a feasibility study on where the trans-model facility will be located in the park.

One thing is certain — Claremore will get almost $2 million to build the facility that will allow current and future industries to utilize transportation to and from Claremore.

Some in the community are not so excited about the possibility of increased rail traffic. More noise, more traffic delays and possibly more automobile/train accidents. The Economic Development Administration requires that construction on the new facility should begin within 24 months of the award. So we will have to wait and see if it adds to the city’s existing rail issues.

Hight is very optimistic about the rail facility’s ability to enhance Claremore’s viability for light industrial companies looking for a place to call home.

The potential for existing local companies to expand their facility and get access to the new facility is very good.

Hight says any site selection group immediately looks to see what transportation will be available for their clients. Having this type of facility in the north business park will cause Claremore’s name to move closer to the top of the list of those site selection committees.

The EDA grant comes days after Claremore city councilors gave the nod to the review and possible formation of a Tax Increment District that will include a portion of the business park.

Once the TID’s review committee is formed and a proposal to officially create the district, Hight sees the economic development prospects for Claremore only gaining more momentum.

While the focus of the TID is to allow the city, specifically CIEDA to reap revenue from property taxes with in the district, it also allows CIEDA to work with developers to locate in the district, bringing more jobs to the city and region.

It will not happen overnight. But the events of this past week do indicate city officials are serious about economic development from Will Rogers Boulevard north to the business park.

Within the next two years it is likely more and more expansion will be coming to Claremore. Everyone will benefit from the future new jobs and companies, who discover Claremore is a place that wants to work with companies to make the city an even better place to call home.

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