ERDA is proud to announce that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has awarded a $110,000 Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG) to support a major equipment upgrade at Martens Machine Shop LLC in Fairview, Oklahoma. The grant will fund the purchase of a new CNC press brake, with Martens Machine Shop contributing an additional $50,000 to cover remaining equipment costs, tooling, and electrical installation.
Martens Machine Shop is a multi-generational, family-owned business that has been serving the region for more than 50 years. What began in 1974 inside a converted chicken house—with just two welders, two grinders, and 800 square feet of workspace—has grown into a trusted machining and fabrication resource for customers across the United States.
Today, owners Paul and Jake Martens, CFPHS, along with their skilled team, work with a wide range of customers on any given day. Local farmers, oil and gas professionals, and wind industry technicians rely on Martens Machine Shop for expert repair, fabrication, and machining services. The shop offers full welding and metalworking capabilities, a fluid power division servicing hydraulic cylinders, pumps, motors, and valves, and an extensive inventory of 5,500 psi hose and fittings to meet diverse industrial needs.
The USDA grant will allow Martens Machine Shop to replace a decades-old, home-built press brake dating back to the 1950s. While dependable, the aging equipment limits the shop’s efficiency and capacity.
The new Piranha T-Series CNC Press Brake 180-13 will dramatically improve precision, productivity, and versatility. With this upgrade, the shop will be able to expand its service offerings, take on larger and more complex projects, and bring contract work back in-house that previously had to be outsourced.
Improved technology often leads to new opportunities—and Martens Machine Shop expects this investment to do just that. The increased capabilities of the CNC press brake are anticipated to drive higher demand and project volume, creating the need for additional skilled manufacturing employees.
CNC press brake operators are highly trained professionals who interpret technical drawings, select specialized tooling, and ensure precise, high-quality metal fabrication. These are the kinds of skilled jobs that help strengthen rural economies and provide long-term career opportunities.
ERDA Executive Director Marcie Mack emphasized the broader impact of the project. “This investment not only strengthens Martens Machine Shop but also enhances manufacturing capacity in our region,” Mack said. “We are proud to partner with USDA to help this long-standing family business continue to grow and innovate.”
Through partnerships like this, ERDA remains committed to supporting rural businesses, encouraging modernization, and ensuring Northwest Oklahoma remains competitive for generations to come.