Oklahoma Main Street Incentive Program Application

Oklahoma Main Street

The Oklahoma Main Street Program encourages the revitalization and sustainability of rural downtowns and urban neighborhood districts to improve local quality of life, community connectivity, and economic vitality. Through the Main Street Four-Point Approach ®, participating communities invest in themselves by strengthening their downtowns and commercial districts, supporting local businesses, and creating vibrant places for residents and visitors.

When residents and visitors spend their time and money in Main Street districts, they generate economic benefits for local businesses and contribute to increased sales tax revenue for both local and state governments. These investments help create stronger, more vibrant communities while supporting long-term economic development throughout Oklahoma.

Incentive Program

The purpose of the Oklahoma Main Street Incentive Program is to encourage investment, construction, beautification, and development within Oklahoma Main Street districts to bring or sustain business activity within commercial districts. These improvements also enhance the cultural, recreational, scenic, and overall quality of life of participating Main Street communities. The program encourages more people to visit, spend time, and invest in each district.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Awarded incentive funds will not cover more than 50% of total eligible project costs. A minimum 50% local match is required.

The application window opens September 1, 2026 and closes September 30, 2026.

Questions regarding the Oklahoma Main Street Program project eligibility and qualifications should be directed to Karla Jackson at the Oklahoma Department of Commerce at Karla.Jackson@okcommerce.gov or the following telephone numbers: 405.815.5177 or 405.208.9620.

Is the community a part of the Main Street Program?

You are unable to proceed with this application. Your community is not eligible for this incentive.

You can contact mainstreet@okcommerce.gov for more information on the program.

Please indicate the level of your Main Street designation:

Attach documentation from the National Main Street Program establishing such designation.

Have any funds been spent toward the new project as of the time of this application?

You are unable to proceed with this application. Your project is not eligible.

Main Street Name

Main Street FEI Number (Federal Employer Identification #)

Main Street Program Address

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code

Main Street Contact First Name

Main Street Contact Last Name

Main Street Contact Title

Main Street Contact Email

example@example.com

Main Street Office Phone

Format: (000) 000-0000.

Main Street Contact Mobile Phone

Format: (000) 000-0000.

Is the Main Street organization a public trust of the community, with the community as a beneficiary?

Please submit documentation of public trust:

If the main Street organization is not a public trust of the community, a City Manager or Town Administrator must be a co-applicant.

City Manager/Town Administrator First Name

City Manager/Town Administrator Last Name

City Manager/Town Administrator Email Address

City Manager/Town Administrator Phone Number

Please attach a letter from the city manager/town administrator accepting responsibility as a co-applicant. This should be provided in addition to the Agreement for Potential Participation requested below.

Provide a narrative description of the project. If needed, you may upload an extensive description in the Project Budget section file upload tool below.

How will the project benefit local businesses and the broader community?

How many businesses will directly or indirectly benefit from the proposed project? This includes businesses immediately adjacent to the project and others expected to benefit from greater visitation.

What is the most recent annual estimate of total sales generated by businesses within the Main Street district? If available, an estimate based on an economic impact study or other reliable research is preferred. You may also use LocateOK.com to generate a Business Locator Report that includes total sales and employment data.

In whole dollars

Source of total sales data:

Other

To generate a Business Locator Report:

Go to the mapping tool LocateOK.com website.
Click Hide Properties on the top middle menu bar.
Click the magnifying glass in the upper-right corner to perform a pace search.
Enter the Main Street community’s city in the search bar.
Click Analysis in the white menu bar near the top of the screen, next to Workforce.
On the left side of the screen, select Area.
Carefully draw the boundaries of the Main Street district. It may help to place the marker above the upper-left corner of the district, then drag downward to establish the north-south dimensions.
Expand the shape to the right to cover the full district.
If you make a mistake, click Area again on the left to start over.
A menu of ESRI Demographic Reports will appear on the left.
Select the Business Locator Report to obtain estimated total sales and employment within the defined Main Street district.
Enter the most recent annual total sales estimate in the application and identify the source used.

What is the total current employment of Main Street businesses? You may use your own count or the LocateOK/ESRI Business Locator Report linked in the total sales question above.

Whole number of jobs

What is the total current payroll of Main Street businesses? An estimate based on a survey of your businesses is acceptable. If you are using the LocateOK map tool linked for the total sales question above, you may request Ernest Abrogar of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce (ernest.abrogar@okcommerce.gov) to provide the Average Earnings per Job in the chief zip code that covers your Main Street.

In whole dollars

Will the project involve new job creation?

What is the timeframe for the creation of new jobs?

Months and/or years after project completion

How many permanent, post-construction jobs do you estimate will be created by your MSIP project?

Whole number of jobs

What is the total budget for the project?

In whole dollars

Can you provide any documents depicting estimates for your projects? The accuracy of the total project budget is critical to the proper administration of the incentive.

If Yes, please provide documentation of the projects adding to the total budget. If there are any further materials -- project description, market studies, renderings, team profiles, detailed construction timelines, etc. -- you can provide, please upload them here.

How much of the budget can the community/Main Street contribute (must be at least 50%)?

Whole number percentage

What is the timeframe for the start of construction/installation?

Months and/or years after date of program acceptance

Download and request every Participating Organization to fill out and sign this form.

Please provide a Participating Organization (PO) form for every for-profit business and local government that has agreed to contribute withholding state payroll taxes to the project. We recommend enlisting at least three POs. At least one for-profit business should significantly contribute payroll taxes. The municipal government may participate, but only as a second or third option. Some local governments may not be able to contribute withholding payroll taxes owing to their participation in other Public-Private Partnership (P3) incentives offered by the Oklahoma Department of Commerce and Oklahoma Development Finance Authority.

Download and sign this 2026-2027 Agreement for Potential Participation.

Upload a completed and signed copy of the Agreement for Potential Participation.

Disclaimers

I understand the the materials associated with the Main Street Incentive program ("the document", FAQs, etc.) have been prepared by the Oklahoma Department of Commerce (ODOC) for informational purposes only. These materials do not constitute legal or tax advice, formal agency rulemaking, binding agency policy, or a final agency determination. Nothing herein creates any contractual right, entitlement, approval, or enforceable obligation of the State of Oklahoma or ODOC.

I understand that incentives, estimates, projections, eligibility information, and program descriptions are subject to change based on legislative action, judicial interpretation, administrative review, agency guidance, updated company information, program availability, and required approvals.

I understand that all applications, incentives, and program participation are subject to applicable law, program requirements, review, verification, and approval by the State of Oklahoma and ODOC. Presentation of these materials does not constitute an offer, guarantee, or commitment of funding, incentives, benefits, or approval.

I understand that I should seek my own professional legal, tax, financial, and business advice before relying or acting upon any information contained in these materials.

Signature

Oklahoma Main Street Incentive Program Application

Main Street Designation and Contact Information

Public Trust/Municipal Administrator

Project Information

Project Budget

For-Profit Entities Benefiting from Project

Agreement to Participate

Main Street Contact Signature