The Bartlesville Development Authority — the economic development arm of the City of Bartlesville — is always working to bring more businesses to town, with the most recent of its many achievements set to put a Whataburger on U.S. Highway 75 and Neal’s Homestore in Eastland Center.
The City Council on Monday approved the expenditure of economic development funds, which are collected through the City’s quarter-cent economic development sales tax, to incentivize the businesses.
The company WAB will receive $119,000 in incentive funds to open a Whataburger restaurant at 1350 S.E. Washington Blvd., the site of the former Hunan’s restaurant, within 24 months. WAB has has 950 Whataburger restaurants in 14 states and does more than $4.5 billion in annual revenue. The company plans to invest more than $4 million into the new project, BDA officials say.
“They are looking at a groundbreaking in the next couple of weeks and are optimistically hoping to open by the end of the year,” said Chris Batchelder, BDA vice president of Business Development.
Neal’s Homestore will receive $100,000 and a rebate of 50 percent of the annual city sales tax over the next nine years to open a store at S.E. Washington Blvd., in Eastland Center. The store specializes in home furnishings, bedding, appliances, and electronics, and has locations in Okmulgee, Sapulpa and Bixby.
Photo courtesy of Whataburger