Polaris Technology blasts Muskogee City Council's annexation vote

Is this a case of the City getting greedy? As I recall, almost every single large industrial center in Muskogee is technically on unincorporated zones. They touted this data center investment when it came, but are they breaking any of the previous agreement?

Polaris Technology Responds to Muskogee City Council Annexation Vote

MUSKOGEE, OK (June 10, 2025) – Polaris Technology expresses deep concern following the Muskogee City Council's vote today to move forward with annexation of private property currently owned and operated by Polaris. If finalized, the decision would jeopardize prior good-faith agreements with former city and county leadership and risk undermining significant economic progress in Muskogee and the broader region.

"The City Council’s vote is a disappointing development that contradicts the spirit of trust and cooperation under which Polaris made its initial investment in Muskogee in 2023,” said Jonathan DeMario, Site Manager, Polaris. “Our $100 million investment and ongoing job creation efforts were based on good-faith assurances from prior city leadership that our location, within unincorporated Muskogee County, would remain outside city limits. This is a common arrangement with other similar operations and other facilities in the region, but now the city’s action would levy $5 million in new local taxes on our operation annually and set a new precedent for other regional job creators. This sudden tax hike and reversal on previous arrangements raises concerns about transparency and fair governance.”

"Polaris Technology owns its land and operates in unincorporated Muskogee County, a status shared by other major job creators in the area,” said Rep. Tim Turner (HD-15). “Despite this common arrangement, the City of Muskogee is unfairly focusing on Polaris for annexation, which will levy new taxes on its operation that could increase the city’s budget immediately by 20%. This move contradicts previous commitments and undermines the credibility of local governance.”

Polaris Technology is a U.S.-based company at the forefront of digital infrastructure and innovation, playing a leading role in Muskogee’s emerging technology ecosystem. Since establishing operations in 2023, the company has made significant contributions to the local economy, including:

• Major Capital Investment: $100 million invested to date, with an additional $100 million planned by 2027.
• High-Quality Employment: Polaris employs 55 full-time staff in Muskogee, with average salaries of $65,000—over twice the city’s median individual income. Headcount is projected to reach 200 by the completion of Phase 3 later this year.
• Substantial Local Revenue: Polaris is OG&E’s largest electricity customer by usage, contributes approximately $1.2 million in annual revenue to the City through water utility fees, and is expected to generate $300,000 in annual property taxes to Muskogee County.

Polaris Technology calls on the City Council to reconsider this course of action and reengage in constructive dialogue. The company remains committed to Muskogee, its workforce, and its role as a collaborative partner in the region’s continued economic growth.