Issue 11 2016 by New Pioneer

2016 Issue 11

Develop, Innovate, Prosper

GE Opens New Global Research Oil and Gas Technology Center Providing a present and future glimpse of promising new technologies in the pipeline for the oil & gas industry, GE held the grand opening of its new Global Research Oil and Gas Technology Center in Oklahoma City. The new Center will become a central hub for GE scientists and engineers to closely collaborate with the oil and gas industry on cutting-edge digital and hardware solutions to advance the industry. Lorenzo Simonelli, President and CEO, GE Oil & Gas said, “We believe a strong commitment to R&D will help our oil and gas customers find new efficiencies to work through tough market conditions and lead to transformational opportunities for the industry to thrive long-term. The new technology center in Oklahoma City will accelerate innovation; it’s where we can bring the full power of digital solutions and technology from across GE’s industrial businesses to advance the oil and gas industry.” At the Center opening, GE unveiled a prototype drone, nicknamed “Raven,” engineered to detect emissions precisely and cost-effectively, to help customers reduce environmental impact and improve operational efficiency in the oil and gas industry. Southwestern Energy Company successfully piloted the technology to detect emissions from oilfield equipment at well sites in Arkansas in July. Vic Abate, Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, GE said, “At our new research center in Oklahoma City, customers benefit from the collective global brain of technologists from our 10 GE global research centers around the world, as well as our 50,000 global GE engineers who span multiple industry sectors. We call it the GE Store, and it allows us to bring innovation from other GE industries such as aviation, power, healthcare and transportation to transform and strengthen the oil and gas sector.” Michael Ming, General Manager of GE’s Global Research Oil and Gas Technology Center, said, “To the greatest extent possible, we are bringing the oilfield and our customers directly into our lab space. When you couple that with the world-leading scientists and engineers based here in Oklahoma City and at GE’s other global research centers around the world, you have a winning formula for driving transformational technologies the industry will need.” Ming noted the research focus at the new Center will span across all areas of oil and gas from production solutions and

well construction systems to oilfield facilities and systems and reservoir performance. Although the new Center just recently opened, temporary offices were established more than two years ago in the City Place Tower in downtown Oklahoma City. With 120 employees today, the Center can accommodate as many as 230 people. GE’s new Oil & Gas Technology Center has established several programs and partnerships with industry and academia, including Oklahoma State University and the University of Oklahoma and has R&D agreements in place with many of the leading operators in North America.

OKLAHOMA’S STEP FUND

Find more customers in new markets. The Oklahoma STEP Fund is part of the State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) grant, an export promotion initiative making matching-fund grants to assist small businesses in exporting to global markets. Companies of all sizes can benefit from exporting their products to markets outside of the United States. Selling to international markets opens your business to the 96% of the world’s consumers located in other countries.

Trade Shows

Services

The STEP program pays a portion of participation costs and travel expenses to exhibit at designated international trade shows.

Grant funds can be used to cover costs related to entering into a new international market with an existing product, including:

Avalon 2017 – Aerospace and Defense Expo Geelong, Australia; February 28 - March 5, 2017

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Website translations and design

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Compliance testing

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Shipping sample products

Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) 2017 Houston, Texas; May 1 - 4, 2017 Mexico Petroleum Congress 2017 Puebla, Mexico; June 2017 Paris International Airshow 2017 Paris, France; June 19 - 22, 2017

ExporTech The ExporTech program helps companies develop a customized international growth plan to global markets quickly. The STEP program will pay 75% of the $1,200 registration cost per company. Aerospace ExporTech January 24; February 22; March 22, 2017 Spring ExportTech April 27; May 25; June 22, 2017 Fall ExporTech July 18; August 22; September 19, 2017 ExporTech sessions are hosted by the Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance.

“The STEP fund in partnership between the U.S. and Oklahoma Department of Commerce is an incredible opportunity for Oklahoma exporters to receive marketing assistance to promote their products or services worldwide... The program enabled us to translate our website into another language which made it easier for our customers to understand our product line!” - Chuck Mills, President, Mills Machine Co. For more information contact the Global Team at 800-879-6552, by e-mail at stepfund@okcommerce.gov or visit okcommerce.gov/stepfund

Oklahoma Communities Receive Block Grant Funding ODOC Community Development Small Cities Awards for FY2016 The Oklahoma Department of Commerce (ODOC) announced that thirteen Oklahoma cities are recipients of the FY 2016 Small Cities â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 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, 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, contact Karen Adair, (ODOC), karen.adair@okcommerce.gov or call 405-815-5363. The following towns, cities and counties will receive grants:

Applicant

Award Amount

# of People Benefited

Project

City of Ada

$94,138

15,405

Wintersmith Park Improvements

City of Altus

$82,731

10,384

Demolition

City of Bartlesville

$129,384

6,686

Johnstone Park Improvements

City of Claremore

$74,301

1,195

Sidewalk/ADA Handicapped Improvements

City of Del City

$108,024

Street Improvements

City of Durant

$85,707

15,856

Water System Improvements

City of El Reno

$67,853

Storm Drainage Improvements

City of McAlester

$86,699

Water System Improvements

City of Muskogee

$134,308

700

Demolition

City of Ponca City

$114,471

25,387

Homebuyer Assistance, Demolition & Other

City of Stillwater

$139,267

48,967

ADA Handicapped Sidewalk Improvements

City of Tahlequah

$105,048

14,458

Park-Walking Trail Improvements

City of Yukon

$79,260

230

TOTAL

$1,301,191

Drainage and Roadway Improvements

139,486

Commerce Announces New Regional Development Specialist for Western Oklahoma Brandy is a welcomed new member to the ODOC team and her region. She is an important asset for this area connecting communities, businesses and people with the resources and opportunities they need to grow their business.

James Johnson, ODOC RDS Director

Brandy McIntyre is the new Regional Development Specialist (RDS) for the Oklahoma Department of Commerce in Western Oklahoma. McIntyre will serve a 10-county region in Western Oklahoma and will office in the area. McIntyre’s major priorities are to assist regional businesses, connect them to appropriate state and federal resource programs, provide retention and expansion assistance, and interface with workforce development entities. Additionally, she will provide development assistance for counties and municipalities in her service region and on-going support for existing regional partnerships. “Brandy is a welcomed new member to the ODOC team and her region,” James Johnson, RDS Director. “She is an important asset for this area connecting communities, businesses and people with the resources and opportunities they need to grow their business.” Her area includes Clinton, Elk City and Altus. A vital part of the RDS efforts are spent helping assist with business retention, expansion and attraction programs. McIntyre’s legal background and experience as a small business owner make her an excellent resource for companies in Western Oklahoma looking for incentives, workforce resources, funding avenues and more. McIntyre and her support team at the main ODOC office in Oklahoma City will continue to help new and established businesses flourish in Oklahoma.

“I chose this position because I understand the role collaboration and teamwork play in economic development,” McIntyre said. “I hope to be a valuable resource for local businesses, communities and potential businesses. Together, we can bring new jobs and opportunities to Western Oklahoma.” Before coming to ODOC, McIntyre worked as the Director of Tourism and Main Street Services for Vernon, Texas. In her role, she worked with local organizations to develop opportunities within the city and county. Prior to that experience, McIntyre owned and operated a small business, McIntyre Land and Realty Company. She lives in Frederick, Okla., and is excited to help the region grow. Brandy McIntyre, Economic Development Specialist for Oklahoma Department of Commerce, serves the following counties: Beckham, Custer, Dewey, Greer, Harmon, Jackson, Kiowa, Roger Mills,Tillman, Washita. She can be reached at brandy.mcintyre@okcommerce.gov or call 405-215-6716 For more information on this program visit: okcommerce.gov/community

Chickasaw Nation to Reestablish Tourism Destination at Lake Texoma We believe this project will help launch a transformation of this area into a major tourism and recreation attraction. We look forward to working with the state on a project we expect to have a positive impact on jobs and our economy for decades to come.

Chickasaw Governor Bill Anoatubby

The state of Oklahoma and the Chickasaw Nation announced plans to develop a resort hotel and other amenities at Lake Texoma in southeastern Oklahoma.

Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin said she has been a long-time believer in the potential of the Lake Texoma area to be an economic driver in Oklahoma.

The initial plans call for the Chickasaw Nation to construct a three-story hotel, a restaurant and gift shop, a casino featuring up to 300 electronic games and as many as 10 lakefront fishing/boating cottages, Chickasaw Governor Bill Anoatubby said. The project covers 50 acres of lakefront property, overlooking Lake Texoma and the historic Roosevelt Bridge. It also involves about 11.5 acres of land acquired by the Commissioners of the Land Office (CLO) from the Oklahoma Department of Tourism and Recreation.

“This project will create jobs and revenue for southern Oklahoma while at the same time maintaining the beauty of the site,” said Fallin. “The Lake Texoma lodge and golf course for many years were a top tourist attraction in the region. This hotel and commercial development will be the catalyst to stimulate significantly greater economic development in the future. I appreciate Governor Anoatubby’s vision and willingness to partner with the state of Oklahoma to continue our joint efforts focusing on tourism in this beautiful and strategically located part of our state.”

The hotel will include a lounge and meeting rooms, an outdoor pool and recreation area, a fitness center, gift shop, restaurant and a business center, he said. The project is the result of a settlement negotiated by the CLO, which worked to bring a resolution to the property that was once home to the popular Lake Texoma Lodge and Resort. A private developer bought the property in 2006 and the lodge was demolished in 2009, but plans did not come to fruition. Developers blamed the economic downturn of 2008. “We believe this project will help launch a transformation of this area into a major tourism and recreation attraction,” said Anoatubby. “We look forward to working with the state on a project we expect to have a positive impact on jobs and our economy for decades to come.”

The development will be off U.S. 70, across from the Chickasaw Pointe Golf Course near the site of the old Lake Texoma State Lodge. Preliminary plans allow for future expansion of the hotel and the construction of additional waterfront cottages. The Chickasaw Nation must first apply to place the land just north of the Texas border into trust status – a process that potentially could take several months or more. “If the land can be placed into trust, our intent and plan is to develop this premier lakefront property into destination lodging and a casino,” said Bill Lance, secretary of commerce for the Chickasaw Nation.

McAlester and Durant to Receives Infrastructure Financing

Awarded 1,000,000 each to stimulate long-term job creation and investment. The Oklahoma Department of Commerce (ODOC) Community Development announced that the City of Durant and City of McAlester will be the recipients of a Community Development Block Grant - Economic Development Infrastructure Financing (CDBGEDIF) award of $1,000,000 each. ODOC manages the federally funded CDBG-EDIF program in the State. 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. City of Durant Award The award will be used for the construction of water and wastewater infrastructure improvements to support the expansion of Commercial Metals Company â&#x20AC;&#x201C; CMC Steel Oklahoma, LLC. CMC opened a single location in Dallas, Texas in 1915 and over the course of a century, CMC has grown to become one of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest metal recyclers with facilities in North America, Europe and Asia. The company operates more than 60 locations globally, buying, processing, selling and managing recycled metals. CMC has selected Durant, OK to locate its second Technologically Advanced Micro Mill. This site selection will allow the company to better serve a growing North Texas market as well as expand into markets in

Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, Arkansas and Missouri. The Durant facility will produce reinforcing bar, steel slag and potentially other steel products, including t-stock fabricated rebar and fence posts. The City of Durant itself and on behalf of Bryan County Rural Water and Sewer District #5 has requested CDBG funds for water and wastewater improvements necessary for water distribution and sewer collection services. The CDBG funds request of $1 million will be used to construct the water and wastewater infrastructure needs to meet their manufacturing requirements and allow the company to create 168 new permanent jobs with 102 of those jobs to be made available to low and moderate income persons. City of McAlester Award The award will be used for the acquisition of a building and land to be publicly owned to support the expansion of Krebs Brewing Company, Inc.. Additional funding for the project will be provided by the City of McAlester and the company. Krebs Brewing Company, Inc., formed in 2004, was licensed as a strong beer brewery which brews and markets custom craft beers. Since 2008, the brewery has received more than 40 awards at beer competitions and won a dedicated following of craft beer enthusiasts. Currently, Krebs Brewing

Company distributes beer in 20 states and abroad. In order for the company to increase production and meet customer demands the company needs a larger building and property with room for storage, loading and unloading of products and materials. The larger facility, owned by the city and leased by Krebs Brewery, will allow the company to keep up with market demands as they are at capacity at their existing brewing facility. The proposed new facility will instantly allow the brewery five to six times the current production capacity. Therefore, the City of McAlester is requesting CDBG funds for the acquisition of a publiclyowed building to be leased to the company for the creation of an additional 30 jobs over the next 36 months with 16 of those positions being made available to low and moderate income persons. To request a CDBG-EDIF application, contact Karen Adair, (ODOC), karen.adair@okcommerce.gov or call 405-815-5363.

Over 20 Oklahoma Municipalities Receive Grant Funding The Oklahoma Department of Commerce announced today that Twenty towns, cities, and counties will receive a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) in the Water and Wastewater Construction Competitive category. Because of this funding, many important infrastructure needs will be addressed. A total of 41,972 Oklahomans will benefit from projects funded. Each year the Oklahoma Department of Commerce makes CDBG funds available to eligible incorporated

towns, cities and counties. Funding is provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). For more information on the Community Development Block Grant Program, please contact Scott Myers, (ODOC), at scott.myers@okcommerce. gov or call 405-815-5356.

The following towns, cities and counties will receive grants:

Applicant

Award Amount

# of People Benefited

Project

City of Anadarko

$209,000

6,380