January 29, 2009 - A new report, compiled by Southwestern Oklahoma State University and the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission shows the manufacturing sector is a vital component of Oklahoma's economy.
The reports findings include:
- Oklahoma is home to about 4,700 manufacturers that employed 151,012 people in 2007;
- Manufacturing contributed 11.1%, or $15.5 billion, to Oklahoma's gross state product in 2007;
- Manufacturing jobs pay better than those in other sectors, and support more secondary jobs in the wider economy.
January 28, 2009 – According to The Oklahoman, products developed and produced by two companies in the Noble County community of Perry were recently featured in a listing of the top products of 2008 by Construction Equipment magazine.
The products include a Ditch Witch trencher and a new drill from E-Z Drill. Both products were featured in a December issue of the industry publication. The Oklahoman reports the magazine’s editors select the 100 most exciting product introductions of the year. January 21, 2009 -- The Oklahoma Aerospace Alliance will present the 8th annual Oklahoma Aerospace Summit & Expo at the Tulsa Convention Center June 15-18.
This summit is the premier aerospace event in Oklahoma, showcasing products, services, and capabilities while providing companies with the resources and tools needed to advance, grow, and retain their businesses.
For more information including registration, click here. January 9, 2009 – According to the Journal Record, Rogers State University’s (RSU) Innovation Center has created a regional business intelligence center to assist existing small businesses and manufacturers in Northeastern Oklahoma expand and create jobs.
The Journal Record reports the RSU business intelligence center’s mission is to provide market research and analyses to help businesses expand sales of existing products and services into new markets. December 10, 2008 – 3DIcon, a development-stage technology company, was recently awarded a two-year applied-research grant of $299,932 from the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology (OCAST). This grant will finance further development of the company’s groundbreaking CSpace display technology which is capable of rendering high-resolution, 360-degree, true three-dimensional images.
Funding of OCAST's first-year grant of $149,940 is contingent upon 3DIcon's providing matching funds of $149,940 for the first year's research and submission of all required documentation to OCAST. The project's start-date is expected to be January 1, 2009. OCAST's second-year grant of $149,992 is contingent on 3DIcon's obtaining matching funds and a satisfactory performance evaluation of the first-year's research. December 10, 2008 -- With the recent receipt of two more $500,000 checks from ConocoPhillips and the Ponca City Development Authority (PCDA), Oklahoma State University (OSU) is continuing its impact on sensor research and development through the University Multispectral Laboratories (UML). In turn, the UML is making an impact on Oklahoma.
Since 2006, the UML has brought more than 30 new jobs to North Central Oklahoma. By 2012, that total will quadruple to 120. November 17, 2008 - According to the Tulsa World, a resource center for non-traditional entrepreneurs will be launched next year in downtown Tulsa.
The World reports the Collaboratorium will provide entrepreneurs with office space at a discounted price, shared conference rooms, coaching opportunities and connections to entrepreneurial networks, along with other resources. November 12, 2008 -- The Tulsa World reports, Tulsa-based architecture firm Scott&Goble was recently named the best architecture firm to work for in the nation, according to a survey conducted by architecture and engineering consulting firm ZweigWhite.
The survey assesses a company’s policies and employee satisfaction with those policies. Scott&Goble finished seventh in 2006 and fifth in 2007. October 29, 2008 -- Cherokee Nation Businesses has been awarded $60 million in New Market Tax Credits.
The tax credits can be used to encourage businesses to locate and expand operations in Northeastern Oklahoma. The credits are the largest ever granted to a tribally affiliated organization, and is the second largest allocation of New Market Tax Credits in Oklahoma history.
Cherokee Nation Businesses was the only tribally affiliated entity in the nation to receive New Market Tax Credits this year. |
Check out these quick links for businesses or call the Business Solutions team today at 800-879-6552 for personal assistance. Oklahoma's Central Purchasing Division recently launched an online vendor system that notifies registered businesses via e-mail when bid opportunities for state agency contracts are available. For $25 per commodity, registered businesses can receive e-mails whenever state agencies have supply needs that fit their profiles.
Online Vendor Registration
Related Link: Oklahoma Department of Commerce's BidWatch Service
 The Oklahoma Employer/Employee Partnership for Insurance Coverage (O-EPIC), is the first program of its kind in the nation to assist small business owners, employees and their spouses with health insurance premiums. Visit www.insureoklahoma.org to learn more.
 Business Basics is a compendium of useful information for start-up businesses, covering licensing, trade name registration, copyright laws, credit card sales, tax ID numbers and more. Also available in Spanish language version.
(Tip: Internet Explorer users please right click the link and save to your computer before opening.)
 One of the most important, but toughest steps in starting a new business is developing the business plan. The Business Plan guide from the OSBDC provides a checklist with detailed help and a sample plan. Also available in Spanish language version. It's a great companion piece to Business Basics.
 Register for free on BusinessWeek Online and have access to a wide variety of free, instructor-led courses on topics from business to technology. Current topics include Setting up a Wireless Home Network, Raising Capital for Your Small Business, and Writing a High-Impact Business Plan. Click here for more informaiton.
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