About REI Oklahoma
Oklahoma's helping hand.
Turning Oklahomans into business and home owners since 1980.
what we do
Helping you lay the first brick of generational wealth.
We all want something that matters — a business, a home, a story — to pass on to the next generation. But the biggest obstacle for many Oklahomans isn’t a lack of drive. It’s lack of access. For more than 40 years, we’ve closed that access gap for entrepreneurs, families, and homebuyers, opening doors for legacies in Oklahoma.
Our Mission
REI Oklahoma expands economic opportunities for Oklahomans by providing flexible financing and development to individuals, businesses and entrepreneurs with limited access to resources.
What We Offer
Your foot in the door to bigger and better.
Big goals need an even bigger net of champions. Whether you’re launching a business, expanding operations, or buying a home, REI Oklahoma provides the funding and resources to move forward with confidence.
Our Impact
Strengthening Oklahoma, one story at a time.
We measure success in front porches, grand openings, and bottom lines. Each loan, home, and new business helps shape a stronger Oklahoma.
Our History
A legacy of impact and possibilty.
REI Oklahoma began with a simple, yet powerful vision: to create opportunity in Oklahoma where it’s needed most. In the early 1980s, former Congressman Wes Watkins recognized that many rural Oklahomans lacked access to the resources to grow their businesses or build financial stability. What started as a local initiative soon grew into a statewide mission.
The Early Years
In the early 1980s, two organizations were created to drive economic development in southeastern Oklahoma — the Industrial Technology Research and Development Center (ITRAD) in 1980 and the Rural Enterprises Development Corporation (REDC) in 1982. These efforts set the stage for building a stronger support system for local businesses.
A Unified Approach
Expanding Statewide
Seeing the need for broader economic development, the organization expands its focus beyond southeastern Oklahoma. The name is changed to Rural Enterprises of Oklahoma, Inc., reflecting a deeper commitment to supporting communities across the entire state.
Pioneering New Markets Tax Credits
A New Name, Same Mission
A Legacy of Impact
Our Patrons
Patrons Make it Possible
Our Patrons are essential partners who help REI Oklahoma open doors for businesses and homeowners statewide. Their support enables us to adapt to our communities to offer services and connections Oklahomans need.
