2014 Issue 1

2014 ISSUE 1 Develop, Innovate, Prosper

Savings on the way for Oklahoma Employers in 2015 Unemployment tax rates continue to decrease

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page 6

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Most state employers can expect to pay lower unemployment taxes in 2015. Tax rates for all Oklahoma employers will be dropping to the minimum rate available for that individual employer due to a stronger unemployment insurance (UI) trust fund and lower UI benefit payments over the past few years. These lower tax rates are estimated to save Oklahoma businesses between $120 million and $130 million next year. The Oklahoma Employment Security Commission (OESC) uses the UI trust fund to pay regular state unemployment benefits to qualified workers. The UI trust fund is funded through taxes paid by Oklahoma employers.

Employers pay into the UI trust fund based on their individual experience with the unemployment system, meaning businesses that have former employees collecting unemployment benefits will pay more than those that do not. Each year, OESC calculates individual employer contribution rates for the following year based on a number of variables, including past total benefits payments and the UI trust fund balance. This calculation sets the rate schedule used to determine individual contribution rates. For 2015, OESC will be using the minimum rate schedule available to

employers under state law. Individual businesses will be notified of their 2015 rates in September.

“OESC continues to work closely with businesses, community leaders and state lawmakers to ensure that our state workforce system serves employers in the most effective and efficient way possible,” said OESC Executive Director Richard McPherson. “It’s this collaboration that allows Oklahoma to stay on the forefront of workforce issues.”

“Reforms that have brought increased efficiency to the state’s workforce system are already generating savings for Oklahoma employers, and I’m pleased to hear unemployment tax rates will be even lower next year,” said Senator Dan Newberry, R-Tulsa. “These measures have allowed Oklahoma employers to cut their unemployment costs while protecting unemployed workers. We want employers to be able to reinvest in Oklahoma, generating even more economic opportunity and job growth.”

Continued on page 5

IN THIS ISSUE Economic Indicators

Business News

Community News

Workforce News

Main Street News

What Makes Us the Best for Business p. 2

Town Sees 17% Sales Tax Increase in One Year p. 6

CDBG Funds Awarded for 2014 p. 9

Hiring Event Planned at Fort Sill for Oklahoma Military Members p. 4

Fireball Run Comes to Enid & Ardmore p. 8

Upcoming Events

Whirlpool Launches New Premium Cooking Product at Tulsa Divison p. 3

Holdenville Awarded Block Grant p. 9

Doing Business in China p. 11

Economic Indicators: What Makes Us The BEST FOR BUSINESS The Relative Value of $100; Which states offer the biggest bang for your buck?

$100 =

Corporate Income Tax Rates:

6%

Oklahoma 6% California 8.84% New Jersey 9% New York 7.1%

http://bit.ly/1rxcgoR

$3.30

Average price per regular gallon of gas in the U.S. is $3.47 but in Oklahoma is only $3.30

fuelgaugereport.com

Oklahoma

$111.23

California

$88.57

New Jersey

$87.64

New York

$86.66

Illinois

$99.40

Texas

$103.63

6.03c

Average price of electricity in the U.S. for industrial use is 7.38c but in Oklahoma is just 6.03c c=cents per KWh

http://1.usa.gov/1gZaJoH

Business News

Whirlpool Launches New Premium Cooking Product at Tulsa Division $18.8 million capital investment and 150 new jobs Whirlpool Corporation, the world’s leading global manufacturer and marketer of major home appliances, expanded production at its Tulsa cooking plant by officially unveiling its new Vesta slide-in range at a ribboncutting ceremony.

American manufacturing,” said Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin.

Guests at the ribbon cutting included Oklahoma Secretary of Commerce Larry Parman, U.S. Congressman Jim Bridenstine, and several other local leaders. Paul Rushing, also gave Secretary Parman a VIP tour of the new Vesta line.

“The state of Oklahoma appreciates Whirlpool’s commitment to our state, workforce and the Tulsa region.

We’re confident this facility will continue the “The state of Oklahoma successful relationship between the state appreciates Whirlpool’s of Oklahoma and Whirlpool Corporation,” said Larry V. Parman, Oklahoma Secretary of commitment to our state, Commerce.

“We are very excited about producing this new slide-in range here in workforce and the Tulsa region.

Tulsa,” said We’re confident this facility Paul Rushing, In August 2013, Whirlpool announced an senior director $18.8 million capital investment for the Tulsa will continue the successful of Tulsa facility, and the addition of 150 new jobs. relationship between the state Today, the Tulsa plant employs more than Operations.

“The product 1,000 employees pumping out almost 7,000 of Oklahoma and Whirlpool leadership and new ranges each day for the Whirlpool, Corporation,” said Larry V. efficiency of Amana, Maytag, Jenn-Air, KitchenAid, Inglis Parman, Oklahoma Secretary of and IKEA brands. The plant has a history of our Vesta freestanding line innovation, such as being the first facility in Commerce.

– along with the the U.S. to introduce self-cleaning ovens with support of local AquaLift technology. and state partners – made this new Vesta slide-in range a reality.”

Whirlpool Corporation is the world’s leading global manufacturer and marketer of major home appliances, with annual sales of “Just a few months ago, this plant approximately $19 billion in 2013, 69,000 employees, and 59 celebrated the production of its manufacturing and technology research centers around the world.

20 millionth freestanding range.

Whirlpool’s Tulsa plant is a prime Learn more about the Whirlpool Tulsa at www.whirlpool.com example of Oklahoma’s pro-business climate and our state’s role in

3

Workforce News

Hiring Event Planned at Fort Sill for Oklahoma Military Members The Oklahoma CareerTech System and its partners are planning a hiring event for military members and veterans in the state.

The Oklahoma Military Connection hiring event is a state initiative sponsored by the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education CareerTech for Vets program, the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission and the “They offer a wealth of transferable skills and abilities Oklahoma National Guard Employment Coordination. as well as exceptional adaptability to immediately The agencies will host the hiring event for U.S. military contribute to the state’s economy and to the success of veterans, transitioning service members and Guard and its business community.”

Reserve members from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Sept.

25 at the Fort Sill Pre-event workshops will be help ensure Armed Forces “They offer a wealth of transferable attendees are prepared for the hiring event Reserve Center. by focusing on interview preparation, skills and abilities as well as resume pointers and attire. Workshops will “Participating exceptional adaptability to be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Sept. 18, and from employers will 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Sept. 22, at the Worley immediately contribute to the have jobs they are Center at Great Plains Technology Center ready to fill and state’s economy and to the success and from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Sept. 11, will be prepared to in the Harry S. Truman Education Center at of its business community” interview eligible Fort Sill. applicants,”

- Amy Ewing-Holmstrom

said Amy EwingHolmstrom, CareerTech for Vets Coordinator.

Registration is required to ensure job seekers can be matched with career fields from the various employers.

The goal is to make sure those who attend are prematched to companies that are compatible with their skills, Ewing-Holmstrom said.

“Oklahoma’s dynamic economy requires the full use of its motivated and highly skilled workforce and will benefit greatly from the increased employment of the states job-ready current and former military personnel,” she said. “Many of Oklahoma’s veterans, military personnel preparing to leave active service and Guard and Reserve members are well-prepared and ready for employment now.”

Registration is not required for the workshops, but is available by contacting Robert Phillips, Workforce Oklahoma, at 580-357-3500.

For more information about the hiring event, contact: Amy Ewing-Holmstrom, CareerTech for Vets, (405) 714-6186 Amy.Ewing-Holmstrom@careertech.ok.gov Robert Phillips, Local Veterans’ Employment Representative, OESC, (580) 357-3500, robert.phillips@oesc.state.ok.us.

Register at: www.okmilitaryconnection.com For more CareerTech information visit www.okcareertech.org Laura Wilson, Writer laura.wilson@careertech.ok.gov

State Unemployment Rates:

July unemployment rate-4.6%; Up 0.1% from June.

Oklahoma lost 1,100 jobs in July. However, from July 2013 to July 2014, Oklahoma has added 30,200 jobs. http://bit.ly/1tWinqo

UNEMP RATE

July ‘14

LABOR FORCE

4.6%

1,783,280

EMPLOYMENT

1,700,960

June ‘14

4.5%

1,793,690

1,712,330

May ‘14

4.6%

1,807,070

1,724,170

Apr ‘14

4.6%

1,816,770

1,732,410

Continued from page 1

“The reductions in unemployment taxes reflect a strong private sector, a stable unemployment insurance trust fund and advantageous government policies,” said Representative Randy McDaniel, R-Oklahoma City, Chair of the House Economic Development and Financial Services Committee. “The decisions made during the recent recession are proving to be valuable as the economy continues to improve.”

“Oklahoma has experienced strong economic growth in recent years. Since 2011 alone, we’ve created over 100,000 new jobs,” said Governor Mary Fallin. “Because of that, employers will now pay less in unemployment taxes for a second year in a row. Small business owners

can now invest their money in new jobs and investments, rather than tax payments. That’s great news for Oklahoma families and another sign that our economy is back on the right track after suffering from a difficult national recession.”

Many states with different UI funding mechanisms struggled to keep their UI trust funds solvent during the recent recession. In fact, Oklahoma was one of only 19 states that did not borrow money from the federal government to continue paying UI benefits. If a state borrows money to make UI benefit payments, state employers are forced to pay the state’s loan and interest costs as well as normal tax contributions, making their effective tax rates higher.

For more OESC information visit http://oesc.ok.gov

Exports Sustain Thousands of Oklahoma Businesses Why restrict your sales to less than 1 percent of the world’s markets?

3,241

$6.9B $1.7B

Companies exported from Oklahoma in 2012 Small and medium-sized firms generated more than onequarter (25.9 percent) of Oklahoma’s total exports of merchandise.

Oklahoma exported more than $6.9 billion of merchandise in 2013, which is a record high for the state.

Machinery accounted for $1.7 billion of Oklahoma’s total merchandise exports in 2013

Oklahoma companies are known globally for world-class quality of their practical, innovative products and flexible, educated and cost-competitive labor force.

This, combined with the Oklahoma’s business-friendly laws and a favorable U.S. dollar exchange rate, has allowed Oklahoma companies to compete effectively in price-sensitive global markets. Oklahoma exports are now growing at more than twice the national rate.

There has never been a better time to leverage these advantages and to significantly increase overseas activities and export success.

There are 200 or more overseas markets in the world, and more than 99 percent of the world’s population lives in export markets.

Free-trade agreements have opened up markets in Australia, Chile, Singapore, Jordan, Israel, Canada, Mexico and Central America, among others, creating more opportunities for U.S. business.

More Oklahoma companies are discovering that taking their products to global markets improves their bottom line by diversifying sales and improving awareness of global trends and competition.

Interested in exporting or finding out more? We have International Trade Offices around the world and can help you grow your business through international trade. Contact the Oklahoma Department of Commerce (405) 815-5216.

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17% Increase in Sales Tax for Tishomingo in One Year.

Singing a new tune in Tishomingo: Lambert’s Pink Pistol triggers revival Story: Molly M. Fleming Originally Published in The Journal Record Mayor Tom Lokey operates a Valero Quik Mart. Every Friday until a few years ago, his soda and beer salesmen told him he needed extra merchandise for Saturday.

The city has reaped that blessing through an increase in its sales tax.

During fiscal year 2010-2011, the city’s 3% sales tax raised $64,000.

The 2013-2014 fiscal year ended with $75,100, a 17% increase.

Lokey always responded that he didn’t need more stock because people left town on Fridays.

fellow country music artist Blake Shelton, an Ada native.

That’s not the case anymore.

City Clerk and Treasurer Patty Braley said once the store opened, other downtown stores spruced up as well.

“Now, we do have people coming here,” Lokey said.

“We’re turning into a destination location.”

“It’s been a blessing to the town,” Braley said.

That change in the city’s tourist population has been attributed to country music artist Miranda Lambert opening The Pink Pistol Boutique at 214 W. Main St.

The city has reaped that blessing through an increase in its sales tax. During fiscal year 2010-2011, the city’s 3-percent sales tax raised $64,000. The 2013-2014 fiscal year ended with $75,100, a 17-percent increase.

“She put in a retail store to be an attraction, and it certainly has done that,” Lokey said. “This could potentially be our biggest growth and expansion since the turn of the 20th century. This is the most energetic Main Street has been since the 1970s.”

Lambert’s store opened in November 2012. Lokey said the city didn’t ask her to locate there. She became interested in the city when she visited with husband and

Braley said the tax increase is attributed to more shoppers, as well as businesses updating their buildings. At least six new businesses have opened within the last year. In addition, Dollar General put in its recent concept, Dollar General Market, which also helped boost the sales tax total.

Braley said there’s more construction to come downtown, with The Lucky Rose, 107 E. Main St., being one example. Owner Lisa Rose has had a store on Main Street for six years, having first opened two blocks east in an estimated 900-square-foot space. Since she lived east of Tishomingo, she could have opened a store in the city or Durant.

“My husband and I just thought Tishomingo had potential,” she said. “There was a need. People were starting to come around.”

She said before Lambert and Shelton came to the city, young people were already starting to make their way back.

“I think the town and the economy was on the rise,” she said.

Business News

When she moved in 2013, she renovated 1,250 square feet for her clothing and accessories boutique and will build out the adjacent full-size spa.

Rose has helped orchestrate Tishomingo Summer Nights, a two-nights-per-month event that encourages businesses to stay open late so people will come downtown.

“It was just really cool seeing tons of people out,” Rose said. “The whole community has a new energy behind it.”

Jackie Baker, co-owner of Baker’s Mercantile, opened in June to capture that energy. The 4,000-square-foot store at 220 W. Main St. is filled with made-in-Oklahoma products, locally produced art and Chickasaw Nation produce. A retired schoolteacher, Baker has helped operate Baker’s Pecans and Baker’s Acres, a pick-yourown-pumpkin patch.

She and her daughter-in-law, Jamie Baker, decided to open a store in town when space owned by Lambert became available.

“It’s been crazy,” Baker said. “Of course, you have your slow days. But we thought we’d be able to open with two employees – just us. Now we have five employees.”

Since she’s next to Lambert’s store, Baker said she’s met people from all over the world.

“Her store brought in people, so now there’s (local) people that are saying they’d better wake up and try to make a difference,” she said.

Pink Pistol office manager Brittany Walker grew up in Tishomingo and can remember when the city was a ghost town. But Lambert’s store has offered encouragement to new entrepreneurs. She said people see that Lambert’s store has been successful and think their businesses could be as well.

She said the store has drawn tourists from Canada, Australia, Germany and across the U.S. The store’s merchandise is not available online.

“A lot of people do just come to see the store,” Walker said. “She wants people to come and see what she is like.”

While Baker’s is new, Houser Furniture and Appliances has been downtown for 36 years. The company has seven showrooms totaling 18,000 square feet. That space could easily be consolidated into a large building, but owner Peggy Shaffer said that was never an option.

“I wouldn’t want to abandon downtown,” she said.

“Downtowns everywhere struggle. It’s a never-ending battle to keep downtowns vibrant. I would have hated to have moved out so I could have more parking and left vacant buildings.”

She said she plans to renovate the front of her 201 Main St. showroom. Though the company doesn’t sell gift items like the smaller boutiques, she said it has seen an increase in foot traffic.

Tishomingo’s growth isn’t just downtown. Lokey said the city and county have seen an increase in oil and gas drilling. The Chickasaw Nation started investing heavily into the area in 2011, improving the Johnston County Hospital with Mercy Medical. The tribe plans to build a 2,500-seat arena on 130 acres in northeast Tishomingo.

Murray State College already had plans to add about 30,000 square feet to expand its applied nursing program.

The city is completing a $7 million infrastructure project, updating water, sewer and wastewater systems to help with the growth.

“It just happens to be the perfect storm of positive growth,” Lokey said.

Like any storm, the growth happened so quickly the city wasn’t ready to be a tourist destination. It has two hotels, the Tishomingo Inn and the Western Inn. Johnston County Chamber of Commerce Director Seigel Paul Heffington said earlier this summer he met five women who traveled from Minnesota to visit the Pistol.

“When you walk out the front door (of the Pistol), you can’t stay in Tishomingo,” he said. “We’re behind the curve.”

He said the Chickasaws have plans to build a hotel, but that won’t be enough. He said the city will need more to meet the demand, especially after the arena gets built.

“It’s a great time to be investing in Tishomingo,” he said.

7

The Fireball Run Races to Oklahoma

Enid and Ardmore destinations in upcoming Adventure Travel Series Enid and Ardmore, will be stops on the 2014 Fireball Run route which will take place Sept. 27 through Oct. 4.

The Fireball Run is a web series that covers “The Most Epic Adventurally in America” a gripping and emotional eight-day, 2,500 mile, life-sized trivia game, where America serves as the game board; 40 driving teams compete for glory, bragging rights, and a plastic road sign. All while aiding in a massive effort to recover America’s missing children.

The Fireball Run begins Sept. 27 in Frisco, Texas, stops in Ardmore on Sept.

29, in Enid Sept. 30, and finishes Oct. 4 in Independence, MO. Team Enid will compete in a 2009 Aston Martin DBS V-12. (This is the same model car used by James Bond in the movie “Casino Royale”) It is owned

by Team Enid driver, Dr. David Vanhooser, a cardiologist with Integris in Enid and a City Council member. The second team driver will be Aaron Brownlee, President and COO of Wymer Brownlee, a financial, tax and accounting firm.

One of the main purposes of the Fireball Run is to help recover missing children. Each community has the posters of a child missing from the region that will be distributed along the route. This campaign has aided in 42 child recoveries since 2007. Each community team also chooses a local nonprofit that receives part of the proceeds raised when the run comes to town.

According to JJ Sanchez, Executive Producer, benefits from the race include worldwide publicity to an internet audience of well over a million viewers as well as the movers and shakers that own million dollar businesses that will be in Enid as part of the race.

The race brings not only connections but also dollars spent and points out the high points of the city during their stay. All of this is broadcast on the Internet and can be seen on video at any time of day or night. Streamed live to a world-audience and filmed as part of a popular online TV series, the 2013 Fireball Run elicited a whopping $56 million in media exposure for its host destinations. More information about the communities and teams involved in this years Fireball Run can be found at www.fireballrun.com

Photos By: Stan Ralstin

Governor’s Energy Conference Promotes Innovation Future outlook for energy looks bright Governor Mary Fallin and the office of the Oklahoma Secretary of Energy and Environment organized the Conference held on Sept. 4, 2014.

regulations the knowledgeable speakers shared valuable information on the current and future outlook for the industry.

A diverse group of energy industry leaders spoke to the audience of over 550. The Conference brought a diverse group of energy industry leaders into speak, from Eric Gebhardt, Chief Technology Officer & VP, Enigneering GE Oil and Gas, to Kim Saylors-Laster, VP of Energy Walmart Stores, Inc.

“I’m excited about the future of energy in Oklahoma, and the leadership role this state will plan in the energy revolution that is a true game changer for the country and the world,” Governor Mary Fallin.

Through panel discussions, CEO spotlights, and discussions on workforce, marketing, and federal

Those attending the conference were able to connect with top policy makers and industry executives. The conference helped to promote innovation, in the energy industry and the growth of Oklahoma’s resources.

Community Development

City of Holdenville Receives Block Grant Award The Oklahoma Department of Commerce/Community Development announced that the City of Holdenville is the recipient of a Community Development Block Grant Economic Development Infrastructure Financing (CDBGEDIF) award totaling $620,000.

The award will be used for the rehabilitation of a publicly owned building to support the expansion of Boyd’s Industrial Plating. This award allocation will help support Oklahoma’s continuing commitment to job creation and diversification of Oklahoma’s economic base. The Oklahoma Department of Commerce manages the federally funded CDBG-EDIF program in the State.

Additional funding for the project will be provided by the City of Holdenville and the company.

The CDBG-EDIF program helps eligible cities, towns, and counties with the financing of infrastructure improvements for new companies or industries locating to Oklahoma or expanding Oklahoma businesses. The purpose of

the program is to stimulate long-term job creation and investment.

Boyd’s Industrial Plating was formed in 2005 and is a zinc plating facility for industrial manufacturers.

Ninety percent of the company’s customers are in the oilfield industry. The company proposes to expand into Aluminum Anodizing services/product line to diversify the company and also create a vertical integration into several other fields including medical, defense, and automotive components with the main focus being on aerospace industry mainly Boeing suppliers. Therefore, the need for a larger manufacturing facility. The CDBGEDIF award will permit Boyd’s Industrial Plating to create a labor force of approximately 18 new positions over the next 24 months with 10 of those positions being made available to low and moderate income persons.

To request a CDBG-EDIF application, contact: Karen Adair, Oklahoma Department of Commerce, Karen_Adair@OKcommerce.gov or call (405) 815-5363

Community Development Block Grants Awarded Small City Awards for 2014 The Oklahoma Department of Commerce/Community Development announced today that nine (9) Oklahoma Cities are recipients of the FY 2014 Small Cities – Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) awards.

These communities will be able to look forward to more efficient community services as a result of the funding award.

The Small Cities set-aside was established for communities with a 2000 census population of 15,000 to 50,000, which are not U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) designated entitlement communities. Each year, the Oklahoma Department of Commerce/Community Development, with funding provided by HUD, makes available various funding set-asides through the Community Development Block Grant Program.

For more information on the CDBG program, call Karen Adair at (405) 815-5363. The communities and the amount of their awards are listed here:

Applicants

Award Amount

# of Beneficiaries

Project

City of Ada

$114,879

16,810

City of Bartlesville

$106,176

6,686

Johnstone Park

City of Chickasha

$75,836

579

Centennial Park

City of Claremore

$77,692

100

City of Durant

$118,044

13,549

Water System

City of El Reno

$78,484

51

Water System

City of McAlester

$97,473

61

Water System

City of Ponca City

$120,418

25,387 Homebuyer Assistance, Demolition & Special Services/Interim Assistance/Street, ADA

City of Yukon

$64,567

230

Wintersmith Park

Wastewater System

Drainage, Sewer & Roadway improvements

9

Oklahoma State of Success

Meet Our Staff Vaughn Clark is the Division Director for Community Development at the Oklahoma Department of Commerce. Clark and his team help Oklahoma communities build capacity that allows for increased economic development and a better quality of life for Oklahomans through various grant opportunities. Whether a town needs to improve infrastructure or to provide low to moderate income residents with assistance and resources, Clark and his team are here to help.

Improving both physical and social infrastructure and providing services directly to communities and organizations that serve Oklahomans is a main focus of Clark and the Community Development team.

“I love having a job that really helps to make a difference in the life of each and every Oklahoman,” said Vaughn Clark.

When he’s not working you might find Clark supporting local theatrical productions or at the latest movie, his two favorite pastimes.

Contact Vaughn Clark, Division Director, Office of Community Development Phone: 405-815-5370, vaughn_clark@odoc.state.ok.us

Vaughn Clark, Division Director for Community Development.

NEW PIONEER A product of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce

EDITOR:

Kimberly Hickerson, Project Manager

LAYOUT/DESIGN:

Kimberly Hickerson, Project Manager

CONTRIBUTORS:

Stefanie Appleton, David Crow, Molly M. Fleming, Kathy Gain, Jessika Leatherbury, Laura Wilson

PHOTO CREDITS:

Larry V. Parman, Secretary of Commerce and Executive Director of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce. Secretary Parman was appointed by Governor Mary Fallin in October, 2013.

Stan Ralstin, Molly M. Fleming FOR SUBMISSIONS AND STORY IDEAS CONTACT: Kimberly Hickerson Project Manager - Communications 900 N. Stiles Ave., Oklahoma City, OK 73104 (405) 815-5240 Kimberly_Hickerson@OKcommerce.gov

issuu.com/newpioneerOK

Upcoming Events & Important Dates DATE / TIME

EVENT / CONTACT INFORMATION

LOCATION

ADDRESS / CITY

Sept 23rd 2 Days

Natural Gas Vehicle Oklahoma Conference ngvok.com

Cox Business Center ngvok.com/attend/attendee-registration

100 Civic Center Tulsa

Sept 25th 8:30 AM

Sharing of Best Practices Conference http://bit.ly/YQ1e4S

Renaissance Hotel oklahomaquality.com

6808 S. 107th E Ave. Tulsa

Sept 27 8 days

Fireball Run www.fireballrun.com

Ardmore & Enid Oklahoma

Downtown Ardmore & Enid

Sept 30th 2 Days

Oklahoma Conference on Manufacturing www.okalliance.com

Renaissance Tulsa Hotel & Convention Center

6808 South 107th East Ave. Tulsa

Oct 3 9:00 AM

Governor’s Council Meeting David_Crow@okcommerce.gov

OSU-Oklahoma City Student Center

900 N Portland Ave. Oklahoma City

Oct 8th 9:00 AM

Doing Business with China crowedunlevy.com

Vintage Room Oklahoma City Golf & Country Club Register at crowedunlevy.com/rsvp

7000 NW Grand Blvd.

Nichols Hills

Oct 29th 2 Days

WBT Open innovation Forum – Unmanned Aerial Systems https://wbtoi.com/uas

Wes Watkins Center

Hall of Fame and Washington Stillwater

Nov 13th 8:30 AM

Sharing of Best Practices Conference http://bit.ly/1DgpY64

Skirvin Hilton

1 Park Ave Oklahoma City

Register Today: Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Grant Administrators’ Certification Training DATE / TIME: 9am, Dec 9th -10th, 2014

CONTACT INFORMATION:

LOCATION: Department of Commerce,

Registration is REQUIRED. Space is limited.

To register email: kathy_gain@okcommerce.gov

The Office of Community Development Services provides a certification program for individuals who provide grant administrative services to recipients of CDBG funding awards. The training familiarizes individuals with the Federal regulations and State statutes governing the receipt and expenditure of Federal grant funds. This certification training is provided at no cost to participants.

For additional information contact John Hall at (405) 815-5149 or e-mail at John_Hall@okcommerce.gov

900 N. Stiles, Oklahoma City, OK

You must attend both days in order to receive certification status.

11

(PRSRT STD) US POSTAGE PD OKLA. CITY, OK PERMIT NO.41

900 N. Stiles Ave. Oklahoma City, OK 73104-324

Introducing the New Pioneer The Department of Commerce Communications team has officially launched the New Pioneer a newsletter combining the Community Developer, Governor’s Workforce Council Matters, and Main Street newsletters into one source.

The idea was to make a “one-stop” shop for all instate Commerce news. We feel the New Pioneer will help us to better communicate with the Oklahoma people we serve.

“Pioneer” isn’t just a term for our ancestors – It’s in our blood and it shows itself daily in our entrepreneurial spirit and positive resilience. We develop, we innovate and we never stop moving forward...We are the ‘New Pioneers’ of Oklahoma. New Pioneer is here to help you prosper.

The first issue is being mailed and emailed out to subscribers. Every other issue will be an e-mail only release so be sure to sign up for a digital addition at OKcommerce.gov/subscribe

SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION

New Pioneer newsletter is published monthly by the Marketing and Communications Division of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce.

Subscriptions are free.

Manage your electronic subscription preferences at OKcommerce.gov/subscribe Change your mailing address information, add or remove print subscription by completing this form then email or mail back to the Department of Commerce.

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