Bartlesville Expands Industrial Park and Advances New Manufacturing and Airport Projects

Bartlesville Expands Industrial Park and Advances New Manufacturing and Airport Projects

Bartlesville continues to strengthen its industrial base and economic development toolkit. Recent progress includes expansion of the city’s industrial park, advancement of a lithium-ion battery recycling facility, and construction of a new airport hangar.

Industrial Park Expansion Underway

The Bartlesville Development Authority is expanding its industrial park with the addition of 15 acres. Five acres will support an expansion of Phillips Precision Machine, a fast-growing local manufacturer the Authority has assisted previously. Another five acres will be used for a 20,000-square-foot speculative industrial building designed to attract out-of-state companies. The remaining acreage provides room for future growth, with potential to expand the speculative building to as much as 80,000 square feet.

The expansion is being funded through the Authority’s real-estate resources rather than taxpayer dollars. Construction on the speculative building is targeted to begin in the near term, with completion expected in early 2027.

Blue Whale Materials Battery Recycling Facility

A multi-million-dollar lithium-ion battery upcycling center is moving forward in Bartlesville’s Industrial Center. Blue Whale Materials will process end-of-life batteries into materials that can be refined elsewhere. The project is expected to start with approximately 50 jobs and grow to as many as 90 positions.

The Bartlesville Development Authority is providing facility improvements and rent credits tied to job creation. Company representatives have emphasized prior commercial validation of the technology and safety protocols. Operations are targeted to begin late next year.

Airport Hangar Project Progresses

Work continues on a $5.4 million, 20,000-square-foot maintenance hangar at Bartlesville Municipal Airport. The project is supported by more than $2.38 million from the Oklahoma Aerospace and Aeronautics Commission, with the balance funded by the Bartlesville Development Authority. Completion is expected by fall 2026.

Retail and Broader Momentum

Bartlesville Development Authority leaders report continued interest from retail and commercial prospects, particularly along the Highway 75 corridor and in the downtown area. Several existing industrial employers have met or are close to meeting hiring goals ahead of schedule. City Council has also approved ongoing operating budgets for both the Development Authority and Visit Bartlesville to sustain recruitment and tourism efforts.

Looking Ahead

Bartlesville’s combination of industrial site expansion, advanced manufacturing investment, and aviation infrastructure positions the community for continued job growth and diversification. Residents can expect construction activity related to the industrial park expansion, the battery facility, and the airport hangar throughout the remainder of 2026 and into 2027.

City and economic development leaders describe the current period as one of practical preparation—pairing ready industrial product with private investment that creates higher-wage employment opportunities.