IITIO is helping to make serious intertribal trade a reality, with serious benefit to all partners. IITIO Executive member Dr. James Collard, Director of Planning and Economic Development for the Citizen Potawatomi Nation of Oklahoma, has recently seen a major international intertribal trade deal through to fruition. Under the direction of Citizen Potawatomi Nation Chairman John A. “Rocky” Barrett, an historic international partnership has been launched between CPN Iron Horse Industrial Park and Pro Pipe USA LLC, a Canadian Cree owned pipeline manufacturing firm that will operate a 50,000 square foot production facility located on 25 acres of land at Iron Horse Industrial Park. At peak production, Pro-Pipe USA LLC’s Iron Horse Industrial Park facility will employ 30 to 40 workers manufacturing high-density polyethylene pipe (HDPE) for the oil and gas, mining, irrigation, sewer, telecommunications, geothermal and municipal water markets. The company’s production facility is in the initial stages of construction. Pro-Pipe USA LLC expects operations to begin by the summer of 2020, including expansion with its affiliate partners that will create additional employment.

Chairman Barrett recently gathered tribal leaders, Congressional representatives, local officials and city supporters to welcome Pro-Pipe USA LLC to CPN Iron Horse Industrial Park, in a groundbreaking ceremony held on the CPN Iron Horse Industrial Park site in Shawnee, Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma. “Pro-Pipe USA LLC’s investment in Iron Horse will help drive economic development in Oklahoma. Iron Horse Industrial Park and CPN will provide an excellent environment for manufacturers to produce and distribute their products,” Chairman Barrett said. Pro-Pipe USA LLC’s Patrick Lamoureux observed that the deal will also be optimal for Canadian partners, noting that “The historical connection between Canada and CPN is the people. This commercial trade will lead to ongoing commerce between CPN and Canada via Pro Pipe USA LLC and its Canadian business interests. Iron Horse’s location is ideal for logistics and access to markets, while the economic environment is ideal. The (Oklahoma) region offers similar economics to Canada in terms of an area that is rich in amazing people, oil and gas and agriculture.”

U.S. Senator James Lankford (R Oklahoma) applauded Iron Horse Industrial Park’s trade deal, pointing out that the project is a good fit for the State’s regional economy. “This is an important investment for both the CPN and for southeastern Oklahoma,” said Senator Lankford. “My staff and I are proud of the innovation, forward-thinking, and international partnerships the CPN have cultivated over the years to bring this project to reality. The first step to providing even more job opportunities from Shawnee to McAlester has begun.”

CPN’s Iron Horse Industrial Park has a well planned layout, with plenty of financial advantages for its tenants. The 400-acre site is a foreign trade zone situated on Native American trust land. It is located in the geographic center of the United States, on the national rail line network, close to two major interstate highways. By developing Iron Horse Industrial Park as a destination for manufacturers and those participating in international trade, CPN looks to increase its ability to be a job creator and supporter in east-central Oklahoma. “We can never predict the weather, but Pro-Pipe USA LLC will be producing their pipeline products within the next year,” Dr. Collard noted. “This is not the only great news, but as many know, one manufacturing job tends to support and multiply three or four outside jobs as well.”

Chairman Barrett is an enthusiastic promoter of CPN’s active role among the eight nations of the Potawatomi. Citizen Potawatomi Nation is one of 38 federally recognized Native American tribes headquartered in Oklahoma. CPN recognizes more than 33,000 citizens around the world, with approximately 40 percent of the citizenship residing in Oklahoma. CPN has two sister tribes across the border in Canada, Wasauksing First Nation and Bkejwanong Walpole Island First Nation. CPN also has six sister tribes in the United States, one in Kansas (Prairie Band Potawatomi), one in Wisconsin (Forest County Potawatomi), and four in Michigan (Hannahville Indian Community, Gun Lake [Match e be bash shewish] Tribe of Potawatomi, Pokagon Band of Potawatomi, and Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi.

The Citizen Potawatomi Nation is open to negotiating further international intertribal trade and investment at their Iron Horse Industrial Park. For more information on CPN Iron Horse Industrial Park, visit www.cpnironhorse.com or contact Ms. Courtney Palmer by phone at 1 405 275 3121,or courtney.palmer@potawatomi.org by email.

For more information on PRO-PIPE USA LLC, contact Mr. Patrick Lamoureux by phone at 1 780 920 4725, or Patrick@lamsassociates.com by email.