The City of Jay recently celebrated the completion of a new industrial park, which was made possible thanks to a $1.43 million investment from the Progressing Rural Economic Prosperity (PREP Fund) awarded by the Oklahoma Department of Commerce (Commerce).
“We are grateful for the support we have received from Commerce and the PREP funding,” said Becki Farley, Mayor of Jay. “These improvements will help us attract new businesses and create jobs in our community.”
The development of the site was supported by a USDA grant applied for by the Cherokee Nation, which funded the construction of a new road in the park. This road, named Gadugi Road, means working together in Cherokee language and symbolizes partnership and collaboration.
The PREP Fund was established in 2021 as part of the Commerce-led Supporting Industrial Transformation and Economic Success (SITES) Program. The program aims to proactively address statewide site infrastructure needs to meet the demand of existing companies as well as companies looking to establish operations in Oklahoma. So far, 29 other Oklahoma communities have benefited from this program.
“With an unprecedented increase in economic development projects in Oklahoma, Commerce created the SITES program to assist communities with legacy improvements to local industrial sites,” said Tina Lindsay, Director of Business Development at the Department of Commerce. “We are proud to partner with Jay and look forward to further economic prosperity for the local community.”
