August 19, 2009 -- The U.S. Department of the Treasury and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) have released guidelines for the long awaited program to award $2.3 billion in tax credits to manufacturers of advanced energy equipment. Authorized by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act), this new program will provide tax credits to manufacturers who produce renewable energy equipment.
The Recovery Act created a new tax credit program by authorizing Treasury to provide developers with an investment tax credit of 30% for facilities that manufacture particular types of energy equipment. Qualifying manufacturers will produce solar, wind, and geothermal energy equipment as well as fuel cells, microturbines, batteries and grid technology to support the transmission of renewable energy, among others.
August 17, 2009 -- The third annual Inc. 5,000 includes 21 Oklahoma City companies, 10 from Tulsa, three from Norman, two each from Stillwater, Broken Arrow, Woodward and Edmond and one each from Enid, Lawton and Yukon.
The list includes businesses that are among the 5,000 fastest-growing private companies in the country. August 14, 2009 – The Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology (OCAST) recently launched a new Web site, Service Provider Network and Online Intern Database available at http://ocast.ok.gov. The site features audio broadcasts, online registration for workshops, service providers, solicitation listings and internship opportunities in technology. Other resources for researchers, innovators and entrepreneurs also are available.
The Service Provider Network enables visitors to find qualified third-party resources to develop innovative and advanced technology ideas, management services, processes or products and build commercial enterprises. August 5, 2009 -- The Oklahoma Film & Music Office is launching Reel-Crew, Oklahoma's new online Production Guide. Oklahoma crew and support services are now able to register for the new and improved guide. Register today!
With the recent increase in Oklahoma's Film Enhancement Rebate Program, the Oklahoma Film & Music Office has seen an increase in the number of productions interested in filming in our state. The office encourages members and support service providers statewide to register as soon as possible. August 5, 2009 -- The U.S. Department of the Treasury and the U.S. Department of Energy recently announced they are now accepting applications for an estimated $3 billion that will be made available for the development of renewable energy projects around the country. This follows the guidance for the program being issued in July.
Funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), the program will provide direct payments in lieu of tax credits in support of an estimated 5,000 bio-mass, solar, wind, and other types of renewable energy production facilities.  June 26, 2009 -- Holly Corp. is planning $150 million in environmental upgrades at its recently acquired Tulsa refinery, reports the Tulsa World.
The company says the upgrades, which will begin later this year, include a new diesel hydrotreater and sulfur recovery unit. June 15, 2009 – Tiger Truck of Poteau was recently awarded an $11 million contract to make vehicles for the U.S. Air Force as part of the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
The company, which opened its doors in Poteau last year, has been in the process of making over 800 mini-trucks and vans to replace vehicles that were less fuel-efficient.
Tiger Truck will make the vehicles in Oklahoma with parts and materials from this county and countries that have trade agreements with the U.S. June 5, 2009 --The Ponca City News reports a program developed in Ponca City by the Oklahoma State University Multispectral Laboratories (UML) will benefit the state with the passage of House Bill 1468.
Recently signed into law by Governor Brad Henry, the bill provides direct incentives for federal contractors to use Oklahoma companies, and the Oklahoma 100 program has been created to streamline the process.
May 26, 2009 - During recent annual meetings, corporate leaders of Tulsa-based ONEOK and Williams say their companies are growing despite financially strained times, according to the Journal Record.
"We believe Williams is in a great position to not only ride out the global downturn, but to emerge poised for strong long-term growth," Steven Malcolm, Williams Chairman, President and Chief Executive, tells the Journal Record. "Our integrated natural gas strategy - underpinned as it is by our world-class assets - has clearly proven to be a successful one for the past few years." May 15, 2009 -- Thirty companies from across the state were selected as finalists for the 2009 Best Places to Work in Oklahoma program. Delta Dental of Oklahoma was recently recognized as number one in the small business category.
Each year the program recognizes and honors Oklahoma's best employers. All finalists must meet a set of criteria in order to be eligible for consideration. |
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.
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