2015 Issue 9
Develop, Innovate, Prosper
Macy’s Opens Their Largest Fulfillment Center in Owasso Macy’s executives and Oklahoma officials gathered at the new Macy’s-Bloomingdale’s Fulfillment Center in northern Tulsa County, Owasso, Okla., for the ribbon cutting of the $180 million, 2-millionsquare-foot center. The massive interior space makes it the largest of its kind in the world for Macy’s. “It’s so big that when we poured the foundation for this building, we actually had to calculate and take into consideration the curvature of the Earth,” said Terry J. Lundgren, chairman and CEO of Macy’s Inc. “Think about that.” The distribution facility is located in Cherokee Industrial Park and will house over 2,500 full and part-time employees. Some have already been hired and have started to fill orders. Gov. Mary Fallin, Macy’s chairman and CEO Terry Lundgren, Cherokee Nation Chief Bill John Baker, Tulsa County Commissioner John Smaligo and, Tulsa Regional Chamber President and CEO Mike Neal spoke to attendees at the ribbon cutting about the impact of this investment in the Tulsa region.
“… Oklahoma really is becoming a great attraction not only to local companies, small businesses and entrepreneurs but certainly to major, Fortune 500 companies,” Gov. Mary Fallin said. “So, today, we are celebrating. This will go down in the history books of the state of Oklahoma as a great economic development project.” The company chose the Owasso location in large part due to a partnership among the state of Oklahoma, Tulsa County, Cherokee Nation businesses and the City of Owasso.
You all [Oklahomans] work together so incredibly collaboratively. It’s really quite unique. And that doesn’t happen in every state and every community. And that’s why we’re here. We had lots of choices. But it really comes down to ‘What’s the right choice? What’s the right atmosphere? Who is pro-business, and where can we hire the best people?’ That’s what it all comes down to.” ~ Terry Lundgren, CEO, President, Macy’s Inc.
Oklahoma Utilities Energize the State with Solar Projects p. 3 Oklahoma Tourism Department Moves to ODOC Offices p. 5 Durant Awarded CDBG-EDIF Grant p. 5
THE STATE OF TRADE Trade & Exporting Global Team
World-class assistance for global success. Our Global team offers free counseling on international trade. Our staff can guide you in the process of taking your existing business international or starting your international trade business. From creating a comprehensive international business plan to getting ideas and cost-effective solutions to help achieve your business goals, we are here to help. When the time is right to consider exporting, our team provides trade assistance, TX access to partners, and funding opportunities for international marketing when
applicable.
Our Services Oklahoma International Trade offices can help your business expand to a global marketplace. •
International Trade Counseling and Market Entry Strategy Consulting
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International Regulations, Certifications and Standards Assistance
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Trade Show Assistance
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Export Assistance (including financing and international trade resource referrals)
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Comprehensive Market Research Reports
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International Agent/Distributor/Partner Searches
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Vetted International Trade Leads and Bidding Opportunities
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International Business Seminars and Workshops
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International Due Diligence Requests
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Sourcing Assistance
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companies assisted with international business needs by Oklahoma’s global trade offices in 2014
Contact our Global Trade Manager to learn more at 405-815-5136 or email jesse.garcia@okcommerce.gov
Oklahoma Utilities Energize the State with Solar Projects
Recently, Oklahoma Gas and Electric Co. (OG&E) and Tri-County Electric Cooperative (TCEC) showcased expanded energy portfolios featuring renewable energy products. OG&E now has two installed solar farms, totaling 2.5 MW of generating capacity. The expansion to solar is similar to the company’s adoption of wind energy more than a decade ago. The south solar farm consists of approximately 2,000 fixed solar panels (0.5 MW) while the north farm consists of approximately 8,000 tracking solar panels (2 MW). The farms will test the deployment and operation of utility-scale solar power on grid safety, maintenance and reliability.
We’ve been an innovative leader in new technology, certainly in the oil and gas industry, but we’ve also been very progressive in looking at other technology... ~ Mary Fallin, Oklahoma Governor
Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin was on-hand for the powering of the south solar farm in late July. “We have a very long history in our state of energy production,” Fallin said. “We’ve been an innovative leader in new technology, certainly in the oil and gas industry, but we’ve also been very progressive in looking at other technology, whether it’s becoming one of the leading states in the nation in wind power, which OG&E has incorporated along with natural gas.” “Now to add solar power into our energy mix in our state is truly a great accomplishment. I’m very excited to see where this goes in the state of Oklahoma.” “When I’m trying to attract a business and new jobs to our state, I’m talking about our cost of living, our cost of commercial real estate, our housing, but one of the things I sell is our cost of power,” Fallin said. OG&E is also studying rooftop generated solar power. The company will use data from both the solar farms and installed rooftop solar panels to develop solar power options for customers. “We want to learn about how to maintain and operate these systems: What does it take to operate them, to maintain them, to switch them for our linemen so they are familiar with this kind of thing and have safe operating procedures,” said Scott Milanowski, OG&E’s director of engineering, innovation and technology.
TCEC breaks ground on community solar array On August 18, TCEC celebrated the groundbreaking of its one megawatt community solar array located at its headquarters in Hooker, Okla. The State of Oklahoma Secretary of Energy and Environment Michael Teague made remarks about the project, saying, “This is absolutely the right next step for our state … If we don’t continue to innovate, if we don’t continue to change, we kinda get run over.” Michael Henderson, president of Today’s Power, Inc., and developer of the project also made some remarks during the ceremony. “This is a safer product and we’re all about safety,” said Henderson. “The other thing we like about it is we get about 20 percent more energy out of a panel than anyone else does. The reason we’re able to do that is because the reflector panel on this system reflects sunlight back onto the solar panel and turbocharges that panel…The other thing is that most solar arrays take up a larger footprint. TCEC takes up about 40 percent less of a footprint so we’re good stewards of the land.”
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OHFA Provides Operating Assistance to Community Housing Development Organizations Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency’s (OHFA) Board of Trustees approved Home Investment Partnerships Program contracts to provide funding for affordable housing in Oklahoma. OHFA is a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) designated state participating jurisdiction. • Community Action Agency of Oklahoma City and Oklahoma / Canadian Counties received $25,000 in operating assistance to develop affordable housing in Canadian and Oklahoma Counties (excluding Oklahoma City). • Community Development Support Association, Inc. received $43,255 in operating assistance to develop affordable housing in Garfield and Grant Counties. • Native American Housing Services, Inc. received $50,000 in operating assistance to develop affordable housing in Caddo, Canadian, Cleveland, Cotton, Oklahoma, Osage, Payne and Pottawatomie Counties.
• Muskogee County Community Action Foundation, Inc received $50,000 in operating assistance to develop affordable housing in Muskogee County. • Washita Valley Community Action Council received $42,000 in operating assistance to develop affordable housing in Caddo and Grady Counties. HOME encourages local governments and nonprofit housing organizations to build new homes, rehabilitate existing housing or make structural home repairs. HOME is designed to encourage partnerships to fund construction and rehabilitation of affordable housing for low-income families, particularly in rural Oklahoma. As Oklahoma’s largest provider of affordable housing, OHFA offers nine housing programs ranging from “OHFA Advantage” for home ownership to housing development and rental assistance. For more information about OHFA and its programs and services, visit www.ohfa.org.
Duncan Incubator Welcomes Cassidy Corrosion Control, LLC After a 22 year career as a chemist working in the acidizing and corrosion lab for Halliburton Technology, Juanita Cassidy, Ph.D., was a part of a reduction in staff due to the downturn in the oil industry. This provided Cassidy the opportunity to utilize her expertise and specialized knowledge to form her own company and within a week of leaving Halliburton she’d formed Cassidy Corrosion Control, LLC (CCC). Cassidy knew where to go to increase her chances of success, she took advantage of the Business Development Program at Red River Technology Center, meeting with Business Development Specialist Jackie Jacobi on a weekly basis for several months. Cassidy commented, “Jackie helped me through the many steps necessary to establish my company. I specialize in developing corrosion inhibitors and Jackie specializes in helping entrepreneurs realize their dreams.” The next step for Cassidy was to have work space outside of her home. “The natural progression of my business was to move into the Duncan Center
for Business Development (DCBD),” stated Cassidy. “Prior colleagues located in the incubator and I needed a business address. Locating in the DCBD provided me all of the essentials such as furniture, office equipment, phone, and Internet access, so I can focus on acquiring other items necessary to get my company started.” Lyle Roggow, President of the Duncan Area Economic Development Foundation said, “It is very common for new companies to start up as a result of a staff reduction situation. Entrepreneurs are born from uncertainty and choose to use their knowledge to create and invent marketable products and services. Juanita is controlling her destiny by starting Cassidy Corrosion Control. DAEDF established the DCBD for individuals just like Juanita, it is why the incubator exists”.
Oklahoma Tourism Department Moves to ODOC Offices The Oklahoma Department of Commerce (ODOC) has welcomed the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department (OTRD) into their building at 900 N. Stiles Ave in Oklahoma City. Moving out of their previous location at the First National Center (FNC) building in downtown Oklahoma City was already in the long-term plans for OTRD, as their lease was set to lapse in November of this year. The possibility of the Tourism office being housed in ODOC’s office had been discussed, and a potential plans was in early stages of development. However, the process was unexpectedly expedited as it became public that the building owners were behind on utility payments. Shortly after the City of Oklahoma City and Veolia, the building’s utility company, announced their cut-off notices for water and electricity publicly, Governor Mary Fallin declared that all state agencies would be required to vacate the building by August 27th. OTRD is one of four state agencies moving to new locations due to the difficulties at FNC, affecting around 170 state employees.
The Oklahoma Department of Commerce is happy to welcome the Tourism Department to 9th and Stiles and we’re excited by the opportunities that will arise from housing Tourism and Commerce together. ~ Leslie Blair, PIO for ODOC “The Oklahoma Department of Commerce is happy to welcome the Tourism Department to 9th and Stiles and we’re excited by the opportunities that will arise from housing Tourism and Commerce together,” said Leslie Blair, Public Information Officer with the Oklahoma Department of Commerce. Some collaborative efforts had already began between the two state agencies since Secretary of Tourism and Recreation, Deby Snodgrass, was also named Secretary of Commerce by Governor Fallin in January. Blair said that being in the same building will help foster even more collaboration and the arrangement ultimately results in savings for both agencies.
Durant Awarded CDBG Economic Development Infrastructure Financing (EDIF) Grant A CDBG-EDIF grant in the amount of $1,000,000 has been awarded to the City of Durant. The funds will be used for the construction of a publicly-owned building to support the expansion of The Tile Shop (TTS), LLC, and the creation of a projected 29 employment positions. The City of Durant applied for the CDBG-EDIF funds to be used in conjunction with company funds and Federal New Market Tax Credits from the Durant Industrial Authority for construction of a publicly owned building. Due to the rapid growth of the company, an additional distribution/warehouse facility is needed. The expansion requires a new 88,000-square-foot facility located on 7.68 acres, owned by the Durant Industrial Authority, adjacent to the company’s existing facility. The company is investing $1,876,800 for the purchase of land, equipment, fencing, engineering and phone line relocation from company funds. The Durant Industrial
Authority will be receiving Federal New Market Tax Credits totaling $1,196,720 for a portion of the building construction. The total cost of the project is $4,073,520.
Founded in 1985, TTS is a specialty retailer in the home improvement sector, with a wide variety of flooring products from around the world. These products include ceramic, porcelain, and natural stone tiles and fixtures, as well as tile tools, accessories and setting materials. In December, 2012, TTS moved into a 150,000-squarefoot facility on a 156 acre parcel used as a Distribution Center in Durant.The facility currently supports 24 retail stores in many states across the USA. With planned increases to 60+ stores, TTS’ distribution center is insufficient for projected service capability. The Durant Industrial Authority, an authority for the City of Durant, will be the owner of the building that CDBG funds will be used to construct and the land that the building will be located upon. TTS will lease the facility from the Durant Industrial Authority for 20 years.
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Shawn Sheehan named 2016 Oklahoma Teacher of the Year Norman High School teacher Shawn Sheehan is the 2016 Oklahoma Teacher of the Year. “I congratulate Mr. Sheehan on earning the honor of being Oklahoma’s next Teacher of the Year. Not only is he clearly a talented and motivated teacher, but he has shown his dedication to supporting the profession of teaching and the people who are called to follow it statewide,” Hofmeister said. Sheehan teaches special education and Algebra I at Norman High School in Norman Public Schools. He has been there since his first day as a teacher four years ago. He holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Arizona State University and a master’s degree in special education from the University of Oklahoma. While participating in the Oklahoma State Department of Education’s (OSDE) OKMath and OKSci Leadership program in 2013, he launched a multimedia campaign to boost public perceptions of teaching and improve morale among educators titled “Teach Like Me.” As Oklahoma Teacher of the Year, Sheehan will receive use of an official Teacher of the Year car for a year. He will spend that year as Oklahoma’s teacher ambassador, traveling across the state to meet with education stakeholders and representing Oklahoma in the National Teacher of the Year competition.
Shawn Sheehan with State Superintendent of Public Instruction Joy Hofmeister during a ceremony at State Fair Park in Oklahoma City. “I want to keep encouraging people to teach,” Sheenan said. “I’m hoping really and truly to spark a renaissance in education in Oklahoma.” Sheehan was selected by a panel of 21 state judges with education, business and community service backgrounds. He was one of 12 finalists previously named by a group of regional judges representing every part of the state. “All of our finalists demonstrated an extraordinary level of talent, creativity and commitment to their students. Their schools are lucky to have them,” Hofmeister said. (Fact sheets for each of the finalists are available on the OSDE website.)
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NEW PIONEER A PRODUCT OF THE OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE EDITOR: Kimberly Hickerson, Project Manager
CONTRIBUTORS: Kristin Downes, Stefanie Appleton
Kimberly Hickerson Editor-in-Chief - New Pioneer Oklahoma Department of Commerce 900 N. Stiles Ave., Oklahoma City, OK 73104 (405) 815-5240 kimberly.hickerson@OKcommerce.gov facebook.com/OKcommerce
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Meet Our Staff
Director of Programs for the Oklahoma Department of Commerce NP: Tell me about your position at ODOC? MV: I’m a Director of Programs and team leader in the community development division. My team plans, implements and monitors a wide variety of programs that strengthen communities. I review state plans at the beginning of the programs, and I review reports throughout the program year as the programs are monitored. My job is to support my team and make sure they have what they need to do their jobs well. I also regularly meet with our partners at the local and national level to share information, solve problems and stay united in our mission. NP: What do you like about working for ODOC? MV: The people I work with are genuinely dedicated to their missions. Whether it’s ensuring the accuracy of their report, overseeing funded activity, or determining a program’s future direction, they are invested in the success of our work. That makes working at ODOC more than just a job. Their commitment makes it very easy to enjoy working here. NP: What are your objectives as the Director? MV: My goal is simply to ensure my team members have the tools and the guidance to effectively do their job. I measure my success on whether or not my team is solution oriented. When they come to me with a problem, they almost always follow it up with a planned solution. NP: What experiences from other positions do you take to this role? MV: Previously being a program monitor and a program planner, I have a great appreciation for the difficulties of navigating through all the state and federal rules to try to ensure the most effective use of the funds. There are so many restrictions placed on our programs, so having worked on programs from so many different funding sources in the past helps me in my current position a lot.
Marshall Vogts Director of Programs, Community Development marshall.vogts@okcommerce.gov 405-815-5339
NP: What kind of programs does your team help with? MV: Our team plans and implements a wide variety of programs that strengthen communities. Most of our programs are aimed at helping low income Oklahomans become more self-sufficient. We have programs for shelter, nutrition, prescriptions, Head Start, home weatherization, and overall community services. In addition, we house the State Energy Office, which supports alternative energy and energy efficiency efforts. NP: What are the most common questions you receive from communities? MV: People hear about the energy programs the most. They want to know who to call about getting their home weatherized, or what tax incentives exist for alternative fuel vehicles. There are also a lot of questions about finding help for families when they’re at their most vulnerable due to job loss, illness or other life events. I’ve found that most people really are constantly trying to better themselves, but they just don’t know where to start. Sometimes, ODOC is their first phone call, and we’re happy to point them in the right direction. NP: Any hobbies or interests you’d like to share with New Pioneer readers? MV: I’m an adjunct Sociology instructor at OSU-OKC and Rose State College. I really enjoy connecting the textbook theories to the real world examples that I see in our work at ODOC. I spend my days supporting programs that impact peoples’ lives, and then I spend my evenings using those examples in class discussions.
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(PRSRT STD) US POSTAGE PD OKLA. CITY, OK PERMIT NO.41
900 N. Stiles Ave. Oklahoma City, OK 73104-324
Upcoming Events UNMANNED AERIAL SYSTEMS OPEN INNOVATION FORUM Monday, Sept. 28-29 Stillwater Wes Watkins Center
Benefits Participants learn how to: • Scout for a new technology • License a patented technology • Partner with a research institution to develop new technology Who Should Attend? Small to mid-sized companies and advanced manufacturers that seek to grow with the help of technology, researchers, licensees, developers, federal lab and university tech transfer officers, and industry experts involved in developing the Unmanned Aerial Systems market both regionally and nationally. For more information on WBToi, contact Amanda Radovic, 480-477-6408 or aradovic@wbtshowcase.com
BEDLAM COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT WORKSHOPS Tuesday, September 29, 2015 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Stillwater Thursday, October 1, 2015 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Norman
Join us at our FREE Community Improvement Regional Workshops that focus on a variety of relevant topics for community organizations, chambers of commerce, volunteers, municipal and county officials. Topics include: green space, water quality, erosion demonstration, tree maintenance and tree planting practices. A panel will discuss their best practices to engage college student volunteers and answer your questions! Those who register after September 21st may still attend for $10.00 For more information please visit: www.keepoklahomabeautiful.com/workshop-registration