Small Town, Big Vision: How Preservation Is Powering Newkirk’s Growth

Tucked near the Kansas border in north-central Oklahoma, the small city of Newkirk might not appear on most travel itineraries- but that’s changing fast. With its sandstone facades, walkable Main Street, and authentic frontier-era architecture, Newkirk is quietly reinventing itself as a model for how small towns can turn their history into a future. By preserving the very buildings that tell its story, the community is discovering fresh ways to attract visitors, entrepreneurs, and filmmakers alike. What’s emerging is more than a beautification effort- it’s an economic strategy built on cultural identity. Here’s how Newkirk is leveraging its heritage to create sustainable, diversified growth in an increasingly competitive landscape.

Leveraging Cultural Assets for Targeted Economic Diversification

Newkirk's investment in preservation tourism is part of a growing strategy among small cities to diversify their economic base by capitalizing on cultural and historical assets. This approach, often categorized under cultural economic development, enables communities to build niche sectors that align with their identity and heritage. When cities preserve and promote unique architectural features, they create a sense of place that distinguishes them from other locations, attracting targeted visitors and businesses alike. This differentiation can be a critical advantage in regional economic competition. The Oklahoma Main Street Program, which Newkirk participates in, has demonstrated how community revitalization through historic preservation can generate real economic returns. Main Street communities in Oklahoma have collectively seen over $2 billion in public and private reinvestment since the program’s inception, including new business openings and job creation in downtown districts with preserved historical character¹. By linking restoration with tourism strategies, Newkirk is positioning itself to benefit from this trend while reinforcing its small-town identity as a cultural destination.

Supporting Property Owners Through Technical Assistance and Incentives

To make historic preservation a viable economic strategy, it is essential that local governments provide property owners with the tools and resources needed to participate. In Newkirk’s case, the city has facilitated access to state and federal tax credits, such as the Federal Historic Preservation Tax Incentives Program, which offers a 20 percent income tax credit for the rehabilitation of certified historic structures². These financial incentives can significantly offset the cost of restoration, making it more attractive for private investment. Technical assistance is also crucial. Many property owners lack familiarity with regulatory requirements or the process of applying for preservation grants. By offering workshops, one-on-one consultations, and guidance through application procedures, Newkirk lowers the barriers to participation. Partnerships with local preservation nonprofits and state historic preservation offices can further expand this support network. These proactive efforts help ensure that restoration projects are executed successfully and aligned with community development goals.

Film, Media, and Creative Industry Opportunities

The aesthetic distinctiveness of Newkirk's limestone buildings has caught the attention of film location scouts, a development that highlights another sectoral opportunity: the creative industries. Film and television production brings short-term economic benefits through crew lodging, local hiring, and location fees. More importantly, it can generate long-term branding value by showcasing the city’s image to a broader audience. States such as Oklahoma have capitalized on this by offering film incentives, drawing productions into smaller towns with unique visual appeal³. To increase competitiveness in this area, local governments can create a film-friendly environment through streamlined permitting processes, location databases, and coordination with state film offices. Encouraging property owners to register their buildings as potential film sites can also expand the city's visibility in industry directories. By treating creative production as a legitimate economic sector, cities like Newkirk can convert their historic look into an income-generating asset.

Encouraging Heritage-Based Entrepreneurship

Preservation tourism does not only benefit established property owners or existing businesses. It also creates opportunities for new ventures rooted in local heritage. For example, bed-and-breakfasts in restored buildings, antique shops, guided walking tours, and locally themed cafes all align with the visitor experience that Newkirk aims to cultivate. These types of businesses can be supported through targeted small business assistance programs that prioritize heritage-based entrepreneurship. Access to capital remains a significant challenge for many aspiring entrepreneurs in small towns. Local governments can work with regional economic development agencies and community development financial institutions (CDFIs) to offer microloans, grants, or matching funds for businesses that contribute to the preservation tourism ecosystem. Business incubator programs with a focus on cultural industries can also play a role by providing shared resources and mentoring. Encouraging entrepreneurship that complements the town's aesthetic and cultural assets strengthens the overall economic impact of preservation initiatives.

Integrating Economic Development with Land Use and Infrastructure Planning

For preservation-based economic development to be sustainable, it must be integrated into broader land use and infrastructure planning. Zoning ordinances should support mixed-use development and adaptive reuse, allowing historic buildings to house both commercial and residential uses. At the same time, infrastructure upgrades such as improved sidewalks, lighting, and broadband access are essential to support increased visitor foot traffic and modern business operations within historic districts. Newkirk’s success also depends on maintaining the delicate balance between preservation and functionality. While maintaining historical integrity is important, buildings must also meet contemporary safety codes and accessibility standards. Coordinating with local planning and building departments ensures that rehabilitation projects are compliant without being unnecessarily burdensome. By aligning historic preservation with long-term urban planning strategies, cities can ensure that their economic development efforts are both effective and resilient⁴.

Measuring and Communicating Economic Impact

To sustain investment in preservation tourism, local leaders must demonstrate its tangible economic value. This includes collecting data on visitor spending, job creation, tax revenue, and business growth attributable to the historic district. Tools such as the Economic Impact of Historic Preservation Study, produced by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, can help quantify these outcomes in a way that supports continued funding and policy support⁵. Public communication of successes also builds community support. Highlighting restored buildings, profiling local business owners, and celebrating film productions filmed in town can reinforce civic pride and attract further interest. Regular reporting and storytelling around economic development outcomes keep stakeholders engaged and foster a shared vision for the future. By tracking and promoting results, cities like Newkirk can build momentum and attract new partners to the preservation-based economic development strategy.

Bibliography

1. Oklahoma Main Street Center. "Main Street Annual Reinvestment Statistics." Oklahoma Department of Commerce, 2023. https://www.okcommerce.gov/mainstreet.

2. National Park Service. "Historic Preservation Tax Incentives." U.S. Department of the Interior, 2022. https://www.nps.gov/tps/tax-incentives.htm.

3. Oklahoma Film + Music Office. "State Incentives for Film and Television." Oklahoma Department of Commerce, 2023. https://okfilmmusic.org/incentives.

4. PlaceEconomics. "Measuring Economic Impacts of Historic Preservation." National Trust for Historic Preservation, 2014. https://forum.savingplaces.org/act/research-policy-lab/economic-impact.

5. Mason, Randall. "Economics and Historic Preservation: A Guide and Review of the Literature." Brookings Institution, 2005. https://www.brookings.edu/research/economics-and-historic-preservation.