Choctaw Nation
DURANT – The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma’s newest Chahtapreneur Business Center is now open inside the McAlester Public Library, bringing shared workspace and business resources together with expanded educational opportunities for the community.
The Choctaw Nation and the City of McAlester celebrated the grand opening of the newly renovated library and Chahtapreneur Business Center on Wednesday morning, with Chief Gary Batton, Assistant Chief Jack Austin Jr., and dozens of tribal, city and library representatives in attendance.
“This is not just about the Choctaw Nation,” said Batton. “It’s about unity and forging partnerships that improve McAlester, Pittsburg County and the Choctaw Nation. I think this partnership is a shining example of what we can do when we work together and a model for future community projects.”
In February, CNO announced a contribution through the Choctaw Development Fund to support renovations to the McAlester Public Library, including the creation of a dedicated Chahtapreneur Business Center. The Fund supports community, economic and small business development within the Choctaw Nation Reservation, helping address local needs, strengthen communities, and create opportunities for economic growth.
The center joins Chahtapreneur Business Centers in Durant and Idabel, expanding access to workspaces and entrepreneurial resources across southeastern Oklahoma. Choctaw Small Business Development helps Choctaw entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses through one-on-one advising, business planning, training, marketing assistance and connections to lenders and other business resources.
The centers’ coworking model gives entrepreneurs access to shared workspace and opportunities to connect with other business owners. Paired with professional guidance, these resources can help businesses reduce overhead costs, build relationships, and navigate the challenges of starting or expanding a business. Supporting their success can also strengthen local economies through job creation and the availability of goods and services.
“Our small business development team has done a wonderful job building the Chahtapreneur program over the past 11 years, and this center is a testament to that,” said Batton. “This will benefit both tribal members and non-tribal citizens by giving them not only a place to work on their ideas, but professional advisers who can help those ideas come to fruition.”
As part of the partnership, Choctaw Nation received naming rights for the 3,500-square-foot business center, which will be managed by the Choctaw Small Business Development. The facility includes a dedicated entrance, secure access, and outdoor green space. The Choctaw Nation’s investment also expanded access to library resources for tribal members. As part of the partnership:
- The library has created a space dedicated to Native American heritage.
- The Southeast Oklahoma Library System (SEOLS) will provide free library cards and full access to all 17 SEOLS outlets to any Choctaw Nation member, regardless of residency.
- SEOLS will prioritize Choctaw Nation communities when scheduling their bookmobile programs.
- The library will provide electronic resources to tribal members regardless of residency, including e-books, audiobooks, career and technical learning tools, language resources, and research databases.
The Choctaw Nation’s contribution is part of a larger $9 million renovation effort supported by the City of McAlester, the Puterbaugh
Foundation, the Southeast Oklahoma Library System, and the Fuggitt Foundation. This collaborative investment reflects a shared commitment to education, cultural preservation, business and economic empowerment, and community development.
The McAlester Chahtapreneur Business Center is now open to the public inside the McAlester Public Library at 401 N. 2nd Street, McAlester, Okla. For more information about Choctaw Small Business Development and its entrepreneurial resources, visit www.choctawsmallbusiness.com.