The Oklahoma Department of Commerce has announced the 2026 recipients of the Oklahoma Certified Main Street Incentive Program, with Okmulgee Main Street earning a significant award as part of a record-breaking year for the program.
Commerce officials confirmed that a total of $1,300,241 has been awarded to 12 Main Street communities across Oklahoma for the 2026 calendar year. The funding is expected to leverage nearly $3.3 million in total capital investment for public infrastructure and downtown improvement projects statewide. Okmulgee Main Street will receive $146,993 through the incentive program.
The Oklahoma Certified Main Street Incentive Program is designed to encourage investment in public infrastructure projects that enhance quality of life and economic vitality in certified Main Street communities. Eligible projects focus on downtown revitalization efforts, including streetscapes, public gathering spaces and improvements to historic community assets.
“We are committed to strengthening our Main Street communities and supporting our local partners,” said Buffy Skee, Oklahoma Main Street Director. “This program provides Main Street communities with meaningful resources to invest in critical infrastructure and downtown improvements. By empowering communities to build on their unique character and assets, we are helping ensure Oklahoma’s Main Streets remain vibrant places to live, work and do business.”
To qualify for the incentive awards, communities must have participated in the Oklahoma Main Street Program for at least one year and provide matching funds for their proposed projects. The program supports a wide range of initiatives, from repairing and restoring historic street lamps to constructing new stages for community events and renovating long-standing public buildings.
State officials highlighted several examples of funded projects, including the repair and restoration of 26 street lamps in Vinita, construction of a new community stage in Altus, and renovation of the Graham Community Building in Pryor.
Other Main Street leaders echoed the importance of the funding. “We are incredibly excited and grateful that Ponca City Main Street was selected for the Oklahoma Main Street Incentive Program for the second year in a row,” said Maci Graves, executive director of Ponca City Main Street. “These funds allow our program to take impactful steps toward revitalizing our downtown through important projects that simply would not be possible without this support. This incentive helps us strengthen and improve our downtown for the entire community.”
The full list of 2026 Main Street Incentive Program awards includes:
• Ardmore Main Street Authority – $50,000
• City of Guthrie – $14,124
• Kendall Whittier Main Street (Tulsa) – $150,000
• Okmulgee Main Street – $146,993
• Main Street Perry – $150,000
• Ponca City Main Street – $150,000
• Pryor Main Street – $150,000
• Route 66 Main Street (Tulsa) – $150,000
• Sapulpa Main Street – $150,000
• Stockyards City Main Street – $150,000
• Tulsa Global District – $32,500
• Vinita Main Street – $6,624 Commerce officials noted that applications for the 2027 Oklahoma Certified Main Street Incentive Program will open next fall, giving additional communities an opportunity to pursue funding for downtown infrastructure and revitalization projects.
For Okmulgee, the nearly $147,000 award represents another step forward in ongoing efforts to strengthen its historic downtown, support local businesses and invest in long-term community growth through strategic Main Street development.
