In the KNOW!

November 3 | 2025

Shawnee Forward Awarded State Grant to Promote Community Growth

More Exciting News for Shawnee!

Shawnee Forward has been selected by the Oklahoma Department of Commerce as one of the recipients of the inaugural Oklahoma Community Marketing Partnership Program award.

This new program was created to help communities across Oklahoma strengthen their economic development outreach by highlighting local assets, opportunities, and success stories. Through this grant, Shawnee Forward will expand efforts to promote Pottawatomie County as a place where businesses can grow and families can thrive, showcasing our community’s workforce, strategic location, and ongoing investment in infrastructure and quality of life.

The project will focus on attracting new businesses and investors while supporting local industries that continue to drive our region’s progress. By telling Pottawatomie County's story in a more intentional and coordinated way, we’re positioning our community for long-term success and sustainable growth.

We’re grateful to the Oklahoma Department of Commerce for recognizing Pottawatomie County's momentum and for investing in communities like ours that are actively shaping Oklahoma’s economic future.

You can learn more about the program here.

-Daniel

Director of Operations

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RIBBON CUTTINGS

Celebrate Our Growing Business Community!

Join us as we welcome new businesses and celebrate local growth at our upcoming ribbon cuttings. These events are a great way to connect, show support, and help new members feel the strength of the Chamber community.

Bring a coworker, meet fellow members, and be part of the excitement as we cut the ribbon on new investments and opportunities in Shawnee. We’d love to see you there!

Congratulations!

Last week, we celebrated the ribbon-cutting for Centric Home Health and Hospice at their new Shawnee location. Their team is focused on delivering compassionate care and support to patients and families across our community.

We’re proud to welcome Centric Home Health to Shawnee Forward and our growing business community. Thank you for choosing Shawnee and for the important work you do every day.

Learn more about Centric and their services at www.centrichealth.com

PCYP Meet Up Tomorrow

Join Pottawatomie County Young Professionals (PCYP) for our next meetup on Tuesday, November 4, from 9:00–10:00 AM at Oklahoma Baptist University’s RAWC (Wellness Center)!

The OBU wellness team has planned some fun, low-pressure team-building activities on the rock wall—a great way to start your week, challenge yourself, and connect with fellow young professionals.

What to know:

When: Tuesday, November 4 | 9:00–10:00 AM

Where: OBU RAWC (Wellness Center)

Activity: Team-building on the rock wall led by OBU staff

What to wear: Pants and sneakers

Please register in advance so we can plan gear and staffing accordingly.

Invite a friend or coworker and come ready to climb, connect, and have some fun!

Pottawatomie County Young Professionals (PCYP) is a committee of Shawnee Forward, connecting professionals ages 18–40 through networking, leadership, and community engagement.

BUSINESS RESOURCES

What The Fed Rate Cut Means For Small Businesses

Small business owners have faced significant uncertainty this year due to rising inflation and ongoing discussions about tariffs, which have affected their ability to buy and sell goods and services. According to Lendio’s Q2 2025 SMB Lending Index, 73% of small and medium-sized business (SMB) respondents recently indicated that financing is crucial for their business’s survival, while 60% identified it as the most critical factor in driving growth.

Learn More Here

MEMBER EVENTS

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Want Your Event in Our Newsletter?

If you're a Shawnee Forward member and have an upcoming event you'd like to share, we’d love to help spread the word! Please email your flyer to Daniel or Crystal at least two weeks before the event, and we’ll include it in the two newsletters leading up to your big day. It’s a great way to get your event in front of the community. Don’t miss out on this member benefit!

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If you missed a recent newsletter, you can catch up anytime by viewing the archives on our website here.

A Rare Sponsorship Opportunity

For the first time in a long while, Shawnee Forward has an opening for the exclusive sponsorship of In the Know.

This weekly e-newsletter reaches more than 2,900 local professionals, business owners, and community leaders who are actively shaping the future of Shawnee and Pottawatomie County. It is one of our highest-engagement communications and a trusted source for regional updates.

As the newsletter sponsor, your business will receive:

• Banner ad included in every issue

• Hyperlinked logo on our archived newsletter webpage

• One featured article per quarter to highlight your business

• First right of refusal to renew the sponsorship annually

If your organization wants consistent visibility with key decision makers, this is a smart place to be. It may be a while before this opportunity opens again.

Reach out to me directly if you’d like to claim it.

daniel@shawneeforward.com | 405-273-6092

Shawnee Forward | 405-273-6092