SWOK ARPA Regional Alliance - Industrial Center of Central Plaza

PROJECT PURPOSE

This project will assist in the redevelopment of the Lawton downtown sector and will assist in providing new direct and indirect job opportunities. We are excited to transform an enclosed mall that was on the verge of collapse to a covid safe, open air, commerce center for our community.

EVIDENCE

This project will provide direct jobs in the downtown sector of Lawton and support jobs created by FISTA, and the walkability will bring quality of life.

POPULATION DESCRIPTION

While SWOK continues to work very hard to improve conditions for our citizens, we continue to struggle with poverty and decline. With 18.5% of our population in poverty and only 45% of our households in owner occupied homes. Our median household income of just less than $48,000 is more than 10% below the state. Lawton is a diverse, inclusive, and progressive community, but we lack the resources to create the kind of community improvement projects that can move us economically to the next level. SWOK has felt impact of the pandemic through stagnant municipal revenues and significantly increasing costs due to supply delays and labor shortage. Somewhat isolated from the region?s larger metropolitan communities, Lawton has seen our labor force slowly eroded through relocation to the larger cities that can provide more quality-of-life amenities. This project puts Lawton on equal footing with Bricktown in OKC and the Gathering Place in Tulsa. Quality of life should be for all communities.

PERFORMANCE MEASURING

Measure of the program will be in the redevelopment and completion of facilities as well as direct and indirect jobs created. Decrease of vacancy rate or retail space, increase in tourism dollars spent. Increase population, creating walkability.

ONGOING INVESTMENT AMOUNT

$

ONGOING INVESTMENT DESCRIPTION

None

ONGOING INVESTMENT REQUIRED

Able to continue operation without additional funding from the State of Oklahoma