August 20, 2026
Mr. Wayne Mays - wmays@hammrc.com
SPECIAL EDITION - Driving Value to HAMMRC Communities: The Competitive Grant Program
After about four years of getting organized, recruiting members and investors, reaching out to prospect companies, and helping regional communities prepare for growth - while garnering an International Economic Development Council Gold Award- the HAMMRC Board voted to create a competitive grant initiative. The “HAMMRC Economic Development Grant Program" was announced in May, 2026.
The Board’s goal is to drive financial value to its’ member communities to assist them in preparing for attracting and hosting prospect companies. Funding supports projects in Northwest Arkansas and Northeast Oklahoma that advance economic development initiatives including but not limited to workforce training, infrastructure improvements, professional training, incentives, and regional development partnerships. The program operates on an annual cycle; all projects must demonstrate measurable economic impact and be completed within 10 months of receipt of the award. Grants in amounts up to $26,000 are being awarded annually depending on available funding and project scope. Selection and approval of grantees is made by the HAMMRC Board of Directors.
Grant applications must align with the organization’s economic development priorities focused on attracting medical manufacturers and related companies. Eligible applicants are community organizations in the member communities as of the start of cycle 1- May 4, 2026; companies inside the HAMMRC region; and entrepreneurs living/working in the geographic region. Seven qualified applications were received by the deadline and were evaluated by the Board. One application was received after the deadline and was not considered.
A geographic/demographic balance was achieved with the initial awards: 4 originated in Stilwell, OK; two came from Tahlequah, OK; and one was from Farmington, AR. The awards ranged from $1500 to $26,000. All have been presented and media coverage has been very good. Following are descriptions of the grant applications, local community needs to be addressed, amounts distributed and media coverage.
Wayne Mays (left, executive director of Heartland Advanced Medical Manufacturing Regional Cluster, presents a ceremonial check to Michelle Tabor, executive director of Farmington Chamber of Commerce. The chamber received an economic development grant from the
regional organization. (Submitted Photo/Heartland Advanced Medical Manufacturing Regional Cluster)
FARMINGTON — The Farmington Chamber of Commerce plans to use a grant to create a business recruitment packet and identify local businesses that want to grow or need to expand. The chamber is one of seven applicants to receive a grant in the first cycle of a new initiative
sponsored by the Heartland Advanced Medical Manufacturing Regional Cluster. The regional organization announced in May its grant program to support projects in Northwest Arkansas and northeast Oklahoma that advance economic development initiatives, such as workforce and professional training, infrastructure improvements and regional development
partnerships. All recipients must demonstrate a measurable economic impact and projects are to be completed within 10 months of receiving the money, according to the organization's
announcement. The Farmington chamber submitted an application requesting a $25,000 grant for business growth and a site readiness initiative and for the Farmington Farmers Market for market
capacity and pavilion improvement. Wayne Mays, Heartland Advanced Medical Manufacturing Regional Cluster executive director,
said the group's Board of Directors awarded a grant of $16,500 to the chamber for its business
The Farmington Chamber of Commerce will use their grant funds to create a business recruitment packet and identify local business they want to grow or expand ($16,500); they also requested funds for the Farmington Farmer’s Market for market capacity and pavilion improvement ($9500). Their total grant amounted to $26,000.
Four recipients were awarded Heartland Advanced Medical Manufacturing Regional Cluster grants in Adair County. From left are: Johnny Mitchell, Adair County OSU Extension Service; Josh Hutchins, HAMMRC chairman and Tahlequah Regional Development Authority board member; Shania Merchant, CEO, Boys & Girls Club of Adair County; Stilwell Mayor and HAMMRC board member Jean Ann Wright; Cassie Shores, Stilwell campus director, Indian Capital Technology Center; and Robert St. Pierre, Stilwell Youth League.
Four organizations in Stilwell received grants.
The Adair County OSU Extension Service will use their funds ($1500) to provide Coliform and E Coli testing in water wells, spring water, and stream water in underserved areas where testing is not currently available.
The Boys and Girls Club of Adair County will use their grant of $3500 to improve safety and enhance the quality experiences they offer at their new facility.
The Indian Capital Technology Center (Adult Health Stilwell Campus) will now be able- with their grant of $25,000- to offer a new diagnostic medical sonography program, helping offset the cost of ultrasound equipment essential for providing high-quality, hands-on instruction.
The Stilwell Youth League is developing a 9-hole golf course designed to provide both economic and educational opportunities for the community. As they use their $25,000 grant funding, the project will enhance the quality of life, attract visitors and generate economic growth in the local area. The organization notes there is no comparable project within hundreds of miles of Stilwell, making this a unique regional asset.
The Indian Capital Technology Center- Tahlequah Campus will establish a new high school practical nursing program, utilizing $25,000 in grant funds to offset startup and operational costs associated with launching the new two-year program, including instructional salaries, equipment, supplies, and instructional materials
One of our grant award winners is also a new business in the region- recruited successfully to Oklahoma by the Tahlequah Chamber of Commerce and Tahlequah Regional Development Authority. Pictured is Dave Cross, Owner of Precision Injection Molding, which was awarded $25,000 to allow him to improve access to an existing loading dock, be more efficient in loading and unloading of trucks, and enhance his staff's safety and improve overall productivity and workflow. Dave has graciously spoken to two groups about his experiences in Canada and the challenging but successful move of his business and family to Tahlequah. He says he has been warmly welcomed and is pleased with the quality of the employees he has been able to hire, which includes a lady who commutes from Stilwell.
Dave Cross, left, owner of Precision Injection Molding in Tahlequah, was guest speaker at the Heartland Advanced Medical Manufacturing Regional Cluster meeting Friday, June 27 at Stilwell City Hall. At right is Wayne Mays.
The Stilwell Democrat Journal
Jul 6, 2026
NEW BUSINESSES: HAMMRC holds meeting in Stilwell
STILWELL – Dave Cross, owner of Precision Injection Molding in Tahlequah, was the guest speaker at Heartland Advanced Medical Manufacturing Regional Cluster meeting, held Friday, June 26 at Stilwell City Hall.
The mission of HAMMRC is to bring new medical related manufacturing companies to the region. The board alternates meetings in Tahlequah, Stilwell and northwest Arkansas cities within the region the group encompasses.
Precision Injection Molding is one of the companies the group has brought to the area to set up business.
“We’ve been operational and running seven days a week since August of 2025,” said Cross, who has been visiting new potential customers and companies in Arkansas and Oklahoma.
It takes time to get onto approved vendor lists, Cross said. His company produces small plastic parts for a variety of machines and tools.
“We’re getting more into drone manufacturing. [Nathan Reed, Tahlequah Regional Development Authority] and [Wayne Mays, HAMMRC] have been helping me meet people. Knowing someone inside to make introductions is helpful,” Cross said.
HAMMRC Director Wayne Mays said Tahlequah Chamber and Tahlequah Regional Development Authority made initial contacts with Cross and were successful in getting him to relocate. HAMMRC has supported their efforts, provided some financial assistance, and is aiding Cross in making contacts with potential customers.
Business is looking good.
“Medical manufacturing is doing well and making connections helps,” Cross said. “We will be doing more hiring in the fall, and winter at the latest.”
Design is Cross’ favorite aspect of his work.
“I’m a tool maker by trade. I like product design. I like to help people through the process,” said Cross.
His company makes everything from tools to sporting goods and related components for weight-lifting equipment, prosthetics for children with disabilities, waterproof electronics, night vision cameras, and firearms that shoot lasers for safe practice.
“I can make bottle caps for water and glasses frames,” he said. “M6 specialty is smaller technical parts.”
The market is changing fast, so lots of prototypes are being created.
“I like the development part of the process. I’m open to a wide variety of things,” Cross said.
Along with new businesses comes jobs, another goal of HAMMRC. One of his employees is from Stilwell, Bethany Brown. She works in quality control and does inspections. For those in need of new employees, word of mouth is the best, Cross said.
“She has friends at church interested in working. Word of mouth is the best way to get employees. It dramatically reduces the amount of turnover we have,” he said.
Part of Friday’s business for the board members was to award grants to businesses and organizations in the region to give some of the investments back into the community and enhance economic development through the groups receiving grants.
Precision Injection Molding needs a bit of additional land adjacent to the company to make a loading zone for semi-trucks to have access.
“Effectively, we’re purchasing additional land to make a loading dock area. It is a soft area and will take time to dry, then add clay, gravel, and crushed rock to make it stable to drive on,” he said.
HAMMRC Board members are: Chairman Josh Hutchins, attorney and Tahlequah Regional Development Authority; Stilwell Mayor Jean Ann Wright; Tahlequah Regional Development Authority and Tahlequah Chamber of Commerce CEO Nathan Reed; Farmington Mayor Ernie Penn; Fayetteville Chamber CEO Jennifer Irwin; Fayetteville Chamber Board Chairman Matt Lewis. Executive Director is Wayne Mays.
— City of Stilwell
Award recipients will immediately implement their projects, collect progress data, and present interim progress reports to the HAMMRC Board by 2/1/2027.