BIRMINGHAM, AL (October 15, 2026) – The City of Perry has selected Retail Strategies, a national leader in retail recruitment and downtown revitalization, to lead its retail economic development efforts. The partnership is made possible through funding from the Malzahn Family Affiliated Fund, which is supporting the city’s intent to attract new businesses, expand local shopping and dining options, and strengthen its long-term growth.
Perry, the county seat of Noble County, sits along Interstate 35 roughly an hour north of Oklahoma City and about 25 miles from Stillwater. Its location on a major interstate corridor makes it a natural shopping and dining stop for travelers and surrounding rural communities. The city is also home to the Ditch Witch manufacturing facility, Perry’s largest employer with more than 1,800 employees, which brings a strong daytime workforce that retailers and restaurants look for.
“Recent investments by Love’s and Amazon have created real momentum for Perry in both economic growth and job creation,” said Nate Read, City Manager for the City of Perry. “Partnering with Retail Strategies is about building on that momentum and being more intentional about attracting the retail and restaurant options our community wants. Council wants businesses looking to grow to recognize what we already know – Perry is a great place to invest.”
Through the partnership, Retail Strategies will analyze Perry’s trade area, identify retailers and restaurants that fit the market, and actively recruit them to available sites throughout the community. The firm will also market Perry directly to brokers, developers, and decision makers across the industry.
“Perry is in a strong position. It has interstate access, a regional draw that reaches well past the city limits, and new employers bringing jobs and investment to the community,” said Tyler Sudderth, Director of Community Partnerships for Retail Strategies. “Our job is to put Perry in a position to win. We’ll leverage our relationships with retailers, restaurants, and developers, represent the city at retail real estate trade shows across the country, and be an advocate for Perry in every conversation where a site decision is being made.”
The support of the Malzahn Family Affiliated Fund reflects a shared commitment to Perry’s future and to ensuring the city is well positioned to turn recent investment into lasting growth for its residents.
About Retail Strategies
Retail Strategies is the national expert in retail recruitment and community development. Our mission is to provide the real estate expertise, tools, and human effort that position deserving communities as attractive locations for retailers, restaurants, and commercial investment. Acting as an extension of local staff, Retail Strategies combines market analysis, retail outreach, and industry relationships to help communities recruit businesses that strengthen local economies and improve quality of life. Retail Strategies has partnered with more than 1,000 communities across the United States to turn retail opportunities into real economic development outcomes.
