Poteau city council approves negotiation for Boomerang Diner

The Poteau City Council voted to authorize Mayor Scotty White to offer a tax incentive to Boomerang Diner for opening a location in Poteau. The mayor says this is something he has been working on for more than five years.

Boomerang Diner is purchasing a building in Poteau. The location of the restaurant will be at the old Love’s convenience store.

“I think it’s really great for us,” Mayor White said.

Craig Haney, the economic developer for the Choctaw Nation, was there to speak with the board about the benefits of approving the tax incentive.

Haney explained that many people in Poteau drive to other cities, like Fort Smith, to eat

at restaurants, and that it would be better if that money stayed in Poteau. He said the city is going to have to start offering things like this to companies if they want new businesses to open locations in Poteau.

He said that the tax incentive will not cost the city money up front, and that it would come out of taxes collected on the business. The mayor added that this is

a negotiation, and he will present the final numbers to the council.

White said the final tax incentive figure will be presented to the council after negotiations are finalized.

Also during the meeting, Karen Wages, the CEO of the Poteau Chamber of Commerce, presented plans for the renovation of the Pocket Park in downtown Poteau to the council. The park

will have a new entrance way, new handicap accessible restrooms, and will function as a space for entertainment, parties and other events. The funding for this project comes from a recent T-Mobile grant and from local donations.

The council also approved a resolution and recommendation from the Planning Commission for a specific use permit 2023-11 for a cannabis dispensary to be located at 806 S. Broadway.

Also approved was a resolution for a specific use permit 2023-12 for a cannabis grow facility to be located at that same location.

The council also heard from King Richey, who was there to ask the council to restore his access to the driveway by his house.

Above is a rendering of the Pocket Park entrance to be built this year through a grant awarded to the Poteau Chamber of Commerce and LeFlore County Historical Society from T-Mobile.