2015 Issue 2 by New Pioneer

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

Oklahoma State of Success

Economic Indicators: State of Entrepreneurs “After a two-month survey of thousands of small business owners nationwide, small businesses have declared that Oklahoma is one of the best states in the country for small business,” says Jon Lieber, Chief Economist of Thumbtack. “Creating a business climate that is welcoming to small, dynamic businesses is more important than ever, and Oklahoma has demonstrated that it understands these challenges.”

Overall Business Friendliness:

Ease of Starting a Business Grade:

Business Training and Networking Programs:

Oklahoma

A+

Oklahoma

A+

California

C-

Louisiana

C+

New Jersey

D+

New Jersey

For a full list of grades visit www.thumbtack.com/

Access to Funding Commercial & Industrial Loans per capita:

Corporate Income Tax Rates:

Oklahoma 6% California 8.84% Louisiana 8% New Jersey 9%

TaxFoundation.org

$3,281

Oklahoma $3,281 California $2,042 Louisiana $1,933 New Jersey $675

FDIC & US Census Commercial & Industrial Loans

Percent of population over over 25 with a high school graduate or higher:

86.4%

Oklahoma 86.4% California 81.2% Louisiana 82.6% New Jersey 88.1% Source: ACS 5 year 2009-2013

Business News

Deby Snodgrass Named Secretary of Commerce and Tourism Governor Mary Fallin recently announced her appointment of Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department Executive Director Deby Snodgrass as the new Executive Director of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce (ODOC) and Oklahoma Secretary of Commerce and Tourism.

As Snodgrass took over the responsibility of both cabinet positions and the Executive Director position at Commerce on January 20th, she stepped down from her Director post at Tourism and will be replaced by a new Director named by the Tourism Commission. “Oklahoma’s Commerce and Tourism departments have complimentary roles,” said Fallin. “Both are selling the state as an exciting place to visit, work and do business. Deby has done an outstanding job managing the Oklahoma ‘brand’ as our Secretary of Tourism. Combining these two posts gives her an opportunity to coordinate that vision and ensure both departments are working together to promote Oklahoma as a special place to live, work and raise a family in.” During her time as Executive Director of Tourism, Snodgrass helped move Oklahoma Tourism into the digital age, focusing on Internet marketing and improving TravelOk.com. The site, Oklahoma’s main online portal

for tourism and recreation, now averages among the topfive most visited state tourism websites in the nation.

“Governor Fallin has always told me she has two over-arching goals for state government: create more and better jobs for Oklahomans; and build smarter and more cost-efficient state agencies,” said Snodgrass. “I am thrilled for the opportunity to pursue those goals at the Department of Commerce and help to promote Oklahoma as an exciting destination for business and investment.” Snodgrass has more than 30 years of experience in marketing and public policy in the private sector. Prior to her work with the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department, Snodgrass served as Senior Director of Public Affairs for Chesapeake Energy. Before her tenure at Chesapeake, Snodgrass was a founding partner of the public policy and research firm Cole Hargrave Snodgrass and Associates. She has been a frequent guest speaker and has taught policy and strategy at various national and international venues.

Macy’s Fulfillment Center Now Hiring 1,500 Employees Macy’s new 1.3-million-square-foot distribution center in Owasso, Okla., is now accepting applications. The company expects to hire between 1,250 and 1,500 core and seasonal workers. The facility is expected to have an annual economic impact of $80 million. “To put that in perspective, I know Oklahoma plays a little bit of football every now and then,” said Frank Julian, vice president of legislative affairs and tax counsel for Macy’s Inc. “You could fit 46 football fields inside of this facility.” Macy’s announced plans to build its new distribution center in Owasso,

Okla., in late 2013. Oklahoma was chosen from a nationwide list of 10 prospect cities. “The things that attracted us the most to this site were a location that is central to many of our customers in the south and central states, and the high quality of the workforce in the greater Tulsa area,” said Julian. “Macy’s very much appreciates the warm welcome we have received from everyone involved, and we look forward to being part of this vibrant community for many years to come.” The fulfillment center is set to open in July with 1,500 employees and will continue to expand from there. For more information visit http://macysjobs.com

LevelOps Energy Succeeds with the Help of Launch Pad Originally Published in Edmond Sun-Business Times, by Van Michell Sid Helms, along with friends Calev Eastman and Jason Wells, were at a point in their careers where they wanted to do something different, challenging and innovative. So the trio, who all had experience working in the oil and gas sector, came together to form LevelOps Energy, which provides energy-sector companies and other entities with comprehensive solutions from servers and switches to towers, rank batteries and wellheads. The company, which started in December 2013, is headquartered at Launch Pad FT business incubator at Francis Tuttle Technology Center in Edmond. The Launch Pad FT serves the needs of entrepreneurs starting a new venture as well as owners of early stage companies facing struggles in today’s economic environment.

The role of the company has evolved since opening its doors. “We started as an oil and gas services company and we have grown into other sectors,” Helms said. Fred Helms, CEO Level Ops “We mainly deal with Karen Moore Business Times Photographer technology and putting that technology online so companies can use data to make better decisions.”

When looking to start the company he ran into several “We were all at a point in our jobs where we had a desire roadblocks in trying to secure financing. to do more with what we feel the Lord has given us as gifts and we chose to throw in anything and everything Helms said the decision was make a go of it,” said Helms, who serves as president and “Being here in the incubator, under the made to pool the partners’ money together and grow the CEO. “Caleb ran across the leadership of Fred Green, has allowed company at a feasible pace. incubator as an option to get us to meet with him weekly. They are started and that is what really launched us into a place to do essentially our mentors and guide us in “There was no way for us to forecast the blessing and our thing.” maturing as a business.” the wild growth we have Fred Helms, CEO Level Ops experienced,” he said. “We LevelOps hired its first have had periods along the employee in January 2014 way over the past nine months and has now expanded to 20 where we have just had to find a way to make it happen.” employees. Helms said the business incubator and its director Fred Green have been invaluable to LevelOps’ The company has been able to secure contract work with development. several major oil and gas players in Oklahoma, including Devon Energy and American Energy Partners. “When starting a business there is just so much that you are not prepared for,” Helms said. “You have no idea Of the company’s 20 employees, none of them are what you may be missing. Being here in the incubator, pure sales people. They avoid hiring anyone who is not under the leadership of Fred Green, has allowed us to passionate about their job. meet with him weekly. They are essentially our mentors and guide us in maturing as a business.” “We find when folks are operating within their passion and not just what they are getting a paycheck for, they Helms said LevelOps will maintain an office at Launch can be very effective,” he said. “We have been blessed Pad for now. to enjoy giving folks the opportunity to do amazing things.” Green said the growth of LevelOps has been impressive in such a short time span. “It is exciting to see our business grow more than any of us had anticipated,” he said. “It is very gratifying to be a “The growth has been phenomenal,” he said. “From an part of that growth. A year from now, I hope we can say incubator’s perspective, this has been a dream client we have exceeded every expectation and we continue to because they listen, follow the program and they have foster growth, innovation and a place folks are happy to been able to exceed all expectations on their growth as a company in revenue profit and employees. LevelOps is come to work and generate value.” doing it the right way.”

Enid’s Main Street “Food For Thought” Awards Project Microgrant Funds

Main Street News

Food for Thought is a microgrant funding dinner held by Main Street Enid, Inc. Each dinner features five project proposals selected to be presented at the event. Each project presenter gets five minutes to tell how their project will have a positive impact on downtown Enid. “We were inspired by Detroit Soup, a similar event in Detroit, and Sunday Soup, a website with a collection of similar events all over the world,” Kelly Tompkins, director of Main Street Enid. “We adjusted what others do and made it fit our community and mission.”

Tammy Wilson, of T&A Productions, presenting a Food Truck Festival project.

For $15, everyone gets dinner and a vote, and that money becomes the grant money awarded to the winning project. Main Street Enid is also able to partner with the Enid Regional Development Alliance and Park Avenue Thrift who provide matching funds to the admission fees, turning every $15 into $45 toward the winning project.

will become an attraction in their business and will allow them to give back more to the community. Their microgrant award totaled $5,490.

Food for Thought has brought in many interesting project ideas so far including: a food truck festival, bike rentals, musicians, recycling programs and more. Most projects have fit into the economic restructuring and promotion efforts of downtown Enid.

The next Food for Thought will be on March 12, 2015, from 6-8 pm. Due to the overwhelming attendance, the downtown location will be determined soon.

The first event was held October 8, 2014, and the winner collected $2,610 in microgrant funds. “We hoped for 30 attendees and were thrilled to have 58 people here! The winner was the Enid Farmers Market. Their project was a permanent roof structure for their information booth,” said Tompkins. “The structure would not only serve the purpose of shelter for the info booth, but also be a test and fundraising tool for the addition of roof structures for their vendors.” The second event was held on January 22, 2015, and resulted in a surprising 122 voting attendees. The winning project was a coffee roaster for Five80 Coffeehouse. Five80 is a “pay what you can” coffeeshop whose profits go back to the local community. This

So far, both winners our non-profit organization that continue to add to the creative and fun atmosphere of downtown Enid.

“We hope this concept catches on in other Main Street communities,” Tompkins said. “The Oklahoma Main Street Director, Linda Barnett, attended our first Food for Thought event. She was thrilled and has been spreading the word of its success.” “Money from attendees was our initial goal,” said Tompkins. “After seeing the networking and connections being made at the first event, from property owners offering their downtown buildings for upper floor tours to a jazz singer being hired to sing in a upcoming jazz lounge, we realized there was more to these evenings. Gaining feedback, obtaining resources and receiving encouragement from the community are added values and underlying goals of the events.” For more information visit: www.mainstreetenid.org/food-for-thought.html

State Unemployment Rates: Oklahoma’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate declined by two-tenths of a percentage point to 4.2 percent. The U.S. unemployment rate improved from 5.8 percent to 5.6 percent for the month. Over the year, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropped by 1.2 percentage points. http://bit.ly/1uBg9ZX

Oklahoma State of Success

Meet Our Staff When it comes to community and economic development, Scott Myers is one of Oklahoma Departmen of Commerce’s most experienced associates. He has worked in the Community Development Services Division for just over 25 years. Known throughout the agency as the “grants/loan” person, Scott’s expertise is primarily in infrastructure development for rural communities. Scott leads a team of seven staff who manage not only the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program but the other programs such as CDBG-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR), Neighborhood Stabilization (NSP) and Rural Economic Action Plan grants (REAP). “Investing federal and state resources on infrastructure helps provide a solid foundation for communities to be in a position to attract, develop, and retain high paying jobs,” Myers stated. “Also by focusing on infrastructure helps ensure a better quality of life by addressing health and safety issues, and allowing availability, accessibility, and affordability of local services.” “Scott’s enthusiasm for community development, and in particular, the CDBG program is unmatched,” said Vaughn Clark, Division Director, Office of Community Development. “With over 25 years of experience, his knowledge of our programs allows him to guide the planning and implementation of programs that continue to offer vital public infrastructure improvements to local governments across Oklahoma.” In his time with Commerce, Scott has over seen 25,000 basic CDBG infrastructure projects and 150 Economic Development projects, totaling well over $300 million dollars benefitting hundreds of thousands of rural Oklahomans. Currently Scott is also administering the recently approved CDBG-Disaster Recovery program which allocated $93.7 million in funds to meet unmet needs from the presidentially declared disasters in 2011-3013.

Scott Myers, Community Infrastructure Team – Director, Community Development Services Division for Oklahoma Department of Commerce. Phone: 405-815-5356 Email: Scott_Myers@ okcommerce.gov

FOR NEW PIONEER SUBMISSIONS AND STORY IDEAS CONTACT:

NEW PIONEER A product of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce

Kimberly Hickerson Project Manager - Communications 900 N. Stiles Ave., Oklahoma City, OK 73104 (405) 815-5240 kimberly_hickerson@OKcommerce.gov

EDITOR:

Kimberly Hickerson, Project Manager

CONTRIBUTORS:

Stefanie Appleton, Van Michell- Business Times Writer,

PHOTO CREDITS:

Karen Moore Business Times Photographer, Shaggy Duck Photography

facebook.com/OKcommerce @OKcommerce OKcommerce.gov issuu.com/newpioneerOK

Upcoming Events & Important Dates GETTING GOOD DATA FOR GRANTS WORKSHOP Oklahoma City workshop on Tuesday, Feb. 12, 1pm - 4pm ODL Internet Lab, 2nd floor, Wright Library (main library) To register contact Steve Beleu at

steve.beleu@libraries.ok.gov

Learning how to use the “Advanced Search” tool of the Census Bureau’s American Factfinder to get precise data and more.

OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE WEATHERIZATION PROGRAM PUBLIC HEARING Edmond Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2:30 pm OKACAA office and training facility: 605 Centennial Blvd Edmond, OK 73013 The Weatherization Assistance Program, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), enables low-income families to reduce their average annual energy bills by improving home energy efficiency. The Oklahoma Department of Commerce is holding the hearing to receive comments on this year’s U.S. Department of Energy Weatherization Assistance Program State Plan which is administered through local Community Action Agencies. For more information about the public hearing or the Weatherization program, contact Marshall Vogts, Oklahoma Department of Commerce, at 815-5374, Marshall_Vogts@OKcommerce.gov or visit www.OKcommerce.gov

STATE OFFICES CLOSED IN OBSERVANCE OF THE FOLLOWING STATE HOLIDAYS: Monday, Feb. 16, 2015 Presidents’ Day 24TH ANNUAL WOMEN’S BUSINESS LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE Wednesday, Mar. 4, 5:30pm Hyatt Regency Hotel, Tulsa Learn more about moving toward your career goals and enhancing your leadership skills. To make your reservations for the 24th Annual Women’s Business Leadership Conference visit: http://tinyurl.com/p9on5qm

OSU BUSINESS FORUMS: KAREN HUGHES, WORLDWIDE VICE CHAIR, BURSON-MARSTELLER Wednesday, March 11, 12-1:30 pm Cox Business Convention Center, Oklahoma City Thursday, March 12, 12-1:30 pm Hyatt Regency Hotel, Tulsa For more information and a list of upcoming OSU Business Forum speakers visit: http://bit.ly/1DBAPde

CREATIVITY WORLD FORUM Friday, Mar. 31 Internationally recognized leader and speaker on the importance of creativity in educating today’s workforce, Sir Ken Robinson, will headline the 2015 Creativity World Forum http://stateofcreativity.com

Oklahoma Main Street Day at the Capitol Set for March 7, 2015 Oklahoma Main Street Day at the Capitol Activities Begin: Tuesday, Mar. 17, 9am Many of the nearly 40 Main Street communities from around the state will bring their downtowns to the State Capitol during Main Street Day at the Capitol. The Oklahoma Main Street Center, a division of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, leads this showcase of local downtown economic development revitalization. The Oklahoma Main Street Program encompasses 39 communities, including three urban areas and three associate communities. Since 1985, the Oklahoma Main Street Program has generated more than $1.4 billion in total public and private reinvestment, created more than 16,500 new jobs and helped in the development of 4,800 new or expanded small businesses. For more information about Main Street Day at the Capitol, or to learn more about the Oklahoma Main Street Program, please call (405) 8156552 or visit okcommerce.gov/mainstreet.

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

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

OKLAHOMA Community Workshop ENERGY PERFORMANCE CONTRACTING FOR K12 SCHOOLS STRATEGIC ENERGY PLANNING FOR COMMUNITIES Thursday, Mar. 12, 9am - 3pm

Registration begins at 9:00am; Workshop Program: 9:30am â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3:00 pm; Lunch on Own Metro Technology Business Conference Center, Rm. H, 1900 Springlake Drive, Oklahoma City (The Conference Center is located on the south side of the main building) There is NO cost to attend this workshop! Come and learn about these two new funding programs being offered by the State Energy Office located within the Oklahoma Department of Commerce. To register for K12 Schools and Community Energy Efficiency Workshop, please visit: https://eventbrite.com/event/15569062485/ If you have questions specific to workshop content, please contact Kathy Gain at kathy_gain@okcommerce.gov

SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION New Pioneer newsletter is published monthly by the Marketing and Communications Division of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce. Subscriptions are free. Note: E-subscribers receive the newsletter monthly in addition to educational opportunities and special announcements. Print subscribers will receive every other issue and do not receive special notifications. To assure you receive all announcements and updates, please sign up for the electronic subscription at OKcommerce.gov/subscribe or contact: Kimberly Hickerson Project Manager - Communications 900 N. Stiles Ave., Oklahoma City, OK 73104 (405) 815-5240 kimberly_hickerson@OKcommerce.gov