PRYOR, Okla. — After state legislators approved an incentive package to lure one of the largest electric vehicle factory manufacturers to Oklahoma, Pryor's MidAmerica Industrial Park said Panasonic is going in another direction.
Gov. Kevin Stitt touted signing an agreement with the company in April, saying it could lead to the "largest economic development in state history".
- Previous coverage >>> Panasonic confirms it's entered agreement with Oklahoma
Leaders were eyeing Pryor's MidAmerica Industrial Park for the electric vehicle battery plant.
“I'm obviously disappointed that they’re not coming here,” MidAmerica Industrial Park Chief Administrative Officer David Stewart told 2 News Tuesday, adding that the rollback was likely due to market viability, not location-based.
"There’s a significant backlog with EV cars. There’s a lot of technology issues in the forefront of the industry. So I think the disruption in that industry and the uncertainty created their decision not to build another site.”
The Oklahoma legislature passed the LEAD Act in April, which was supposed to give incentive to companies to move into the state.
“I applaud my colleagues in the Legislature who voted overwhelmingly to pass the LEAD Act with bipartisan support and ensure Oklahoma is positioned to be globally competitive and secure the biggest economic development project in our state’s history," Stitt said after the Act's passage.
Following news the company is not building in northeast Oklahoma, Gov. Stitt's office released a statement to 2 News.
“Panasonic had already chosen to go to Kansas last year. We would have been thrilled had both parties been able to sign an agreement earlier to expand here to Oklahoma when market conditions were stronger, but hopefully, we can find another opportunity to partner with them in the future.”
This statement conflicts with Stitt's announcement in April that the state made an agreement with the company.
- Previous coverage >>> Gov. Stitt: Contract signed in "largest economic development in state history"
Senate Pro Tem Greg Treat said, "I’m thankful that Panasonic strongly considered Oklahoma. I also appreciated their objective global perspective on some of Oklahoma’s strengths. We structured the incentive package in such a way that no dollars were spent nor would they have been spent until the company reached certain thresholds of spending and employment.”
Stewart said despite the setback, there's still a bright future ahead for the industrial park and the Pryor area itself.
"I’m encouraged to see that we made it to the finish line in terms of our site," he said. "MidAmerica has one of the few sites in the country that can meet this kind of test. And it also proves the investment and infrastructure is worth it.”
Lincoln Elementary School teacher Taylor Schiedel heard about the news at Bradbury&Co. Salon and Spa in downtown and shares that optimism.
"This is such a wonderful community," Schiedel told 2 News. "It has so many good things to offer and every big thing that would come here would help out our community. And I think everybody here is excited to see what could happen and what could come of it.”
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