TONKAWA, OK – Brian Lane and wife, Theresa “Boogie” (McAninch) purchased Tonkawa Meat from Betty Bradford and Patsy and Rusty Glenn on May 13, 2020, renaming it Tonkawa Processing, Corp. In late July, Governor Kevin Stitt appropriated $10 million in federal funds from the CARES Act to the Oklahoma Dept. of Agriculture, Food and Forestry with the goal of expanding meat processing capacity and addressing supply chain disruptions across the state as a result of the COVID-19 public health emergency.

Tonkawa Processing opted to pursue this opportunity with the help and guidance of Rusty Glen, who continues to remain an employee, Kevin Ditmore, Tonkawa Development Authority Consultant and Ellen Roth, currently the AFR/OFU Women’s Cooperative Coordinator. Through these efforts, Tonkawa Processing was the recipient of a $350,000 grant in September, with the official check presentation being on Nov. 12th.

The grant money and additional funds, plus the work and support of several local contractors and businesses in Tonkawa and the surrounding Kay County area, allowed the Lanes to build an entire new facility on site that officially opened its doors on Monday morning, March 1st. Some of the first customers were contestants in the Kay County Carcass Competition.

The new facility will allow Tonkawa Processing to increase its custom processing capacity up to 100% and add additional jobs to the local market. It will also allow Tonkawa Processing to move toward their goal of getting a USDA grant of inspection.

“We are extremely thankful for all of the support we have received from our employees, friends, family and the community. We look forward to being a small business owner in Tonkawa for years to come,” remarked Lane.