2015 ISSUE 2 Develop, Innovate, Prosper
Small Business Incubators Help Entrepreneurs Oklahoma Incubators work to help start-ups succeed.
p. 4 Fred Helms, CEO Level Ops
Business incubation is a business support process that accelerates the successful development of start-up and fledgling companies by providing entrepreneurs with an array of targeted resources and services. The Oklahoma Department of Commerce has awarded certification to 36 small business incubators that are operating in Oklahoma, with tenants ranging from small service companies to high-tech research and development operations and manufacturing entities.
p. 3 Macy’s distribution center
p. 5 Enid Main Street
Currently there are 137 small businesses that are leasing space in Oklahoma’s small business incubators, providing nearly 1,000 full-time jobs. During the Oklahoma Small Business Incubator Certification Program’s existence, a total of 738 small businesses have located in an incubator. Those that have graduated or relocated to a larger facility employ more than 1,800 Oklahomans.
The Department of Commerce’s role in the incubator process is to certify the incubators to assure standards of excellence. The Best Incubators Provide: • Flexible space and leases • Office services and equipment • An on-site incubator manager as a resource for business advice • Exposure to a network of outside business and technical consultants, often providing accounting, marketing, engineering and legal advice • Assistance with financing • Assistance with marketing Oklahoma’s business incubators have helped grow many successful businesses and they are here to help. Download a full report of Certified Incubators at http://1.usa.gov/1tFghft
IN THIS ISSUE Economic Indicators
Business News
Community News
Main Street News
Upcoming Events
State of Entrepreneurs p. 2
Deby Snodgrass Named Secretary of Commerce and Tourism p. 3
LevelOps Energy Succeeds with the Help of The Launch Pad p. 4
Main Street Food For Thought Awards Microgrant Funding p. 5
Main Street Day at the Capitol p. 7
Macy’s Hiring 1500 in Owasso p. 3
Oklahoma State Energy Office Community Workshop p. 8