Blackwell residents respond at BIA Luncheon : grocerey stores and restaurants wanted

The Blackwell Economic Development Authority & Industrial Authority (BEDA; BIA) hosted their “Boost Blackwell” conference and luncheon last week with special guest speaker Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell who is also the State of Oklahoma’s Secretary of Workforce & Development.

The purpose of the luncheon was to reveal the results of the BEDA & BIA’s “Boost Blackwell” survey which was opened to the public in October following a community input event at the Blackwell Event Center.

The luncheon was catered by Prairie Smoke BBQ with Ponca City’s new business HTeaO donating drinks as well.

The luncheon began at 11:30 a.m. in the Kay Electric Kay Room on Doolin.

The meeting began with City Manager Jerry Wieland presenting Service Awards to the members of the BIA Board of Trustees, recognizing them for their service. Darrel Grossardt, Mike Jeffers, Mike Loftis, and Mark Cordell were all recognized.

Wieland praised the men for their years of service and their unwavering commitment to Blackwell’s development.

Lt. Governor Pinnell then addressed the room on the importance of Oklahoma and rural community.

“I am a champion for Oklahoma,” he said, “and I am firmly committed to this being the best place to work, live, and raise a family, and our front door is tourism and rural communities. It is so important that places like Blackwell thrive,” he said.

Pinnell stressed than in today’s politically divided climate, the American people seek the smiling and friendly faces of rural America to remind them of the country that they love.

“We’re building up Oklahoma one story at a time,” he said. “During the pandemic, when people got tired of being inside and listening to the ‘doomsday news’, people sought Americana- American flags, quaint Main Streets. They wanted to see smiles in a place that was open for business. We have diverse communities and a wide range of tourist attractions here.”

Pinnell championed as well for affordable housing in the area, noting that the influx of people moving from out of state was causing a need for housing. Pinnell also noted it was his goal to bring more jobs to the state, breaking cycles of poverty, highlighting Oklahoma’s crucial importance to the agricultural field, and praised FFA students and programs within the state.

Pinnell also noted how lucky Blackwell was for State Representative John Pfeiffer.

BEDA / BIA Executive Director Charlene Flanery CEcD then addressed the room, combing through the findings of the Boost Blackwell Survey.

First, Flanery noted Blackwell’s various projects for infrastructure including the $12.43 million dollar water plant, $3.1 million dollars invested in new water and electric meters, and the $60,000 project for street light replacement within the City of Blackwell.

Flanery also addressed that the BEDA / BIA was committed to “bridging the gap” between industry and schools with future projects to encourage Blackwell students to seek jobs in the industrial sector.

The “Boost Blackwell” Survey had 76 responses.

The questions included “Do you think Blackwell will be better in the next five years?” with 38% saying “Likely” while 14% said “Very Likely”. Only 4% voted that it was “Very Unlikely”.

A question asked those who voted what kind of housing was most needed in Blackwell with the highest response going to single family housing with almost 50% of the total responses with apartments trailing just behind.

Another question asked which retail businesses that voters would most like to see within Blackwell in the next five years with the two top responses being supermarkets and restaurants.

Voters also determined that investing in the rehabilitation of old buildings was “Very Important” with over 70% of response aimed at that answer. To accompany that, voters also stated that they would be support downtown revitalization programs.

The survey results included a word cloud of events that voters said they would support within the City of Blackwell with “Farmers Market” being the largest while music, shows, events, and festivals were also prominent.

A question posed to voters asked what their favorite community event was, compiled in another word cloud, with the largest one being The Kay County Free Fair and other results being parades, Homecoming, and the 4th of July fireworks.

Another question asked voters what they feel is Blackwell’s best asset with the responses including “community” and “people”.

When asked which sector was most important to them, over 30% of voters said business retention and expansion as well as quality of life.

Voters were chiefly in the age-range of 35-44.

Flanery’s “Boost Blackwell” incentive, she stated, is now focused on housing, building rehabilitation, quality of life, and beautification. The areas of focus for business retention and expansion will include Blackwell Industrial partners, toolboxes of resources, expanding proximity to network, and focusing on infrastructural needs and workforce challenges.

Along with that, Flanery stated they will seek to continue to work with Oklahoma centers for workforce excellence partners through Pioneer Tech, create apprenticeship programs, create internship opportunities, and working with industry on upskilling workforce opportunities.

She also said her intent with attracting talent to Blackwell which would include the creation of videos for recruitment in manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare, and quality of life as well as marketing jobs through new platforms.

The luncheon was held until 1:30 p.m. with Flanery stating that major announcements on Blackwell’s economic and industrial future would be coming in 2024.