MCALESTER, Okla. ? The Choctaw Manufacturing and Development Corp. landed a 10-year contract with the Army to design and manufacture space heaters. The contract, which has a value between $55 and $125 million, will be a financial boon to the Choctaw Nation.

The heater will provide remote or manual temperature controlled heating that meets environmental control needs of both people and equipment in shelters and other areas. The heater not only provides a warm place for military personnel and equipment, but can also provide clean, filtered air in areas that have been contaminated chemically or biologically.

“It is thrilling to have watched this business grow and become so fruitful over the past two years, and the council and I are thankful for the opportunities offered us through contracts with the Army, Air Force and Navy,” Choctaw Chief Greg Pyle said.

Assistant Chief Mike Bailey agreed. “We are excited about the opportunities for employment the tribe will be able to offer because of the (Army Space Heater) contract,” he said. “It is wonderful to be able to provide vitally needed products for our armed services and at the same time, generate jobs and create revenue for programs that help the Choctaw people.”

The prime contract comes from the U.S. Army, Communications and Electronics Command in Fort Monmouth, N.J., and will be for the design and manufacture of the Army Space Heater, the ten-year contract has a potential gross value of $125 million.

The Choctaw firm received the contract because of outstanding past performance in several areas of defense and commercial manufacturing. The nation has shown its support for the funding provided to expand facilities, equipment and personnel for the corporation. Tribal sources say another factor in award of the contract is that the tribe allowed freedom for the firm to operate as an aggressive business to benefit the tribe.

The manufacturing arm was incorporated in 1999 and assumed operations of the Choctaw Nation Finishing Co. in Hugo. That company had manufactured defense materials since 1988. The rapid expansion of the Choctaw Manufacturing and Development helped the company grow and meant an increase in operations in Hugo of 40 percent in the past few years, officials said.

In January 2001 the Choctaw Nation Business Park in McAlester was purchased to accommodate its growing needs. The 24.5-acre facility has more than 130,000 square feet of manufacturing space. Primary production of the Army Space Heater will be performed there.

The manufacturing branch is one of many businesses owned and administered by the Choctaw Nation.

“It is thrilling to have watched this business grow and become so fruitful over the past two years, and the council and I are thankful for the opportunities offered us through contracts with the Army, Air Force and Navy,” Choctaw Nation, Chief Greg Pyle said.

Assistant Chief Mike Bailey agreed. “We are excited about the opportunities for employment the tribe will be able to offer because of the ASH contract,” he said. “It is wonderful to be able to provide vitally needed products for our armed services and at the same time, generate jobs and create revenue for programs that help the Choctaw people.”

Both leaders have commended Steve Benefield, the managing officer of the DMDC and his staff for their work to land the contract. The tribe has also been appreciative of the support they have received from the city of McAlester in helping them obtain the industrial property where the business park now sits.

Benefield expects to see 60 jobs at the McAlester facility by January 2002. Engineers, administrative workers and skilled and unskilled workers will be needed to work on the ASH.

In what appears to be a win-win situation, even the mayor of McAlester has stepped forward to voice his pleasure at the gains the tribe is making in the industrial world. “We are delighted at having new industry and increased employment in McAlester, Mayor Dale Covington said. “I am excited that the former Phoenix Industries facility was purchased by the tribe for this venture.”

The Choctaw have other defense related contracts which include shipping and storage containers for the Paveway family of laser guided bombs, Joint Stand-Off Weapon, Popeye missile system and the Stinger shoulder-fired missile along with a variety of other military support equipment.