The southeastern corner of Oklahoma lies within the Choctaw Nation, a region defined by the rugged Ouachita Mountains and vast National Forest. Eight state parks, including Beavers Bend, are nestled within this wilderness, drawing visitors for hunting, hiking, camping, and other outdoor recreation. Numerous lakes and rivers provide abundant opportunities for fishing, boating, swimming, and water sports. The region’s stunning landscape has fueled growth in hospitality and tourism, with the local economy increasing by roughly 20% in recent years.
Small towns in southeastern Oklahoma are powered by hard-working entrepreneurs who keep these communities vibrant. Yet for many, access to business resources and training has long been limited.
That’s where Communities Unlimited (CU) fills a critical gap. CU’s Entrepreneurship Team is providing technical assistance to help rural business owners grow stronger and more sustainably.
With support from the Carolyn Watson Rural Grant, CU has launched a series of workshops designed to equip local entrepreneurs with practical tools for success — from understanding financial management and breakeven analysis to developing strategic pricing and marketing plans.
Brian Wells, CU’s Area Director for Entrepreneurship, said the initiative is part of a broader mission to expand CU’s reach in rural regions.
“Communities Unlimited’s mission is centered on serving rural areas and small communities,” Wells said. “We haven’t had much of a presence in Oklahoma in the past, so we’re working to change that by expanding our services into southeast Oklahoma to reach and support more small business owners.”
For business owners like Jennifer Watson, co-owner of Watson M&M Food in Idabel, Oklahoma, these workshops couldn’t have come at a better time.
“As a new business owner, I’ve been struggling with pricing and managing overhead,” she said. “I don’t want to overcharge my customers, but I also need to make enough to keep the business going.”
"These classes are going to help our business grow, and I’m glad I connected with Communities Unlimited.”
Watson’s store — a family-run grocery and meat market — is a vital hub in her community of nearly 7,000 people. It’s the kind of local business that defines rural America. Her story underscores why investing in entrepreneurs like her matters deeply.
“Without people who have more experience and knowledge in small business, we wouldn’t be where we are today,” Watson said. “The support, education, and encouragement we’ve received are incredible — it makes all the difference.”
The effort to support southeastern Oklahoma’s small businesses is made possible through a partnership between CU and the Oklahoma City Community Foundation (OCCF), which administers the Carolyn Watson Rural Grant. OCCF’s Community Programs Manager, Leslie Woodward, and Linda Brinlee, Director of Rural Initiatives for the Oklahoma Impact Investing Collaborative — part of the Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) Meta Fund — attended a workshop in Atoka hosted by Wells to see the impact firsthand.
“Communities Unlimited received a Carolyn Watson Rural Grant to support economic development across about 15 rural Oklahoma counties,” Woodward said. “Partnerships like these are crucial because CU is also investing directly in these communities through small business loans and training. That combination of funding and technical assistance amplifies the impact far beyond what a single grant could do.”
“Small business development and entrepreneurship are the roots of rural communities,” she said. “These are people from the area who know their neighbors and provide services that keep dollars local. Supporting them creates jobs and strengthens the community’s economy.”
Brinlee emphasized that strong communities rely on steady jobs and stability. When rural areas can no longer support families, she explained, people move away — leading to community decline.
What drew her to CU, Brinlee said, was its comprehensive approach — not only focusing on small business development, but also addressing housing, healthy foods, and critical infrastructure such as water systems.
“That’s exactly what rural America needs,” she said.
After COVID-19 revealed how fragile global systems can be, both Woodward and Brinlee stressed the growing importance of local self-sufficiency and resilience.
“Rural areas are truly the heart of the economy,” Woodward said.
“Investing in rural entrepreneurship creates stability and resilience.”
“We’re excited to continue supporting this work and to find more ways to partner with Communities Unlimited in strengthening rural Oklahoma,” Brinlee added.
And for CU, the workshops in southeast Oklahoma mark just the beginning of a larger vision.
“We want to see small business owners thrive, build wealth, and strengthen their communities,” Wells said. “Whatever challenges they’re facing, we’ll work alongside them — coaching, mentoring, and helping them develop the skills they need to solve problems and grow their business.”
The Carolyn Watson Rural Grant has made that vision possible — bringing together local leaders, funders, and entrepreneurs around a shared belief: rural communities matter, and their entrepreneurs are the key to lasting economic strength.
