ERDA Awards $35,000 in Grants to Support Business Growth and Workforce Development

ERDA has approved a combined $35,000 in grant funding to support two local organizations focused on innovation, business expansion, and workforce development in Enid.

The awards include a $10,000 Small Business Renovation Grant to Unique Designs T-Shirts & More and a $25,000 Business Opportunity Grant to Great Salt Plains Health Center.

“These projects represent two very different but equally important investments in Enid’s future,” said Marcie Mack, executive director of ERDA. “One supports entrepreneurship and small business innovation, while the other strengthens our healthcare workforce pipeline. Both contribute to a stronger, more resilient regional economy.”

Unique Designs Expands with Mobile Custom Apparel Unit

Unique Designs T-Shirts & More is expanding its services with the development of a mobile custom apparel unit designed to bring on-site garment customization directly to community events throughout Enid, Garfield County, and Northwest Oklahoma.

The unit functions similarly to a food truck, allowing customers to choose apparel styles, sizes, and designs at the point of purchase. Using Direct-to-Film (DTF) printing technology, the mobile unit will create custom shirts, sweatshirts, hats, and other apparel in real time.

The new service will support festivals, school activities, fundraisers, sporting events, and other community gatherings, eliminating the need for pre-orders and reducing waste by producing apparel only when purchased.

The expansion is projected to generate additional sales over the next two years and create one to two new full-time jobs.

GSP Health Residency Program Expands Healthcare Workforce Pipeline

ERDA also approved a $25,000 Business Opportunity Grant for GSP Health’s Enid Family Medicine Residency Program, which launched in June 2025 to train and retain physicians in northwest Oklahoma.

Grant funding will help support an investment in technology infrastructure, including laptops, monitors, peripherals, power supplies, and electronic health record (EHR) access. These tools are essential for the residents’ daily clinical operations and patient care.

The three-year program will produce board-eligible family medicine physicians, helping address long-term primary care shortages in the region. At full capacity, the program is expected to facilitate approximately 6,600 patient visits each year and create six to seven additional clinic support positions.

Investing in Enid’s Future

ERDA’s grant programs are designed to support projects that create jobs, expand services, and strengthen the region’s economic foundation. Whether through small business growth or workforce development, these investments help position Enid for long-term success.

To learn more about ERDA’s grant and business assistance programs, visit GrowEnid.com.