Oklahoma Receives Area Development’s Silver Shovel Award

Name: Beth Schmidt
Phone: 405-815-5209

August 26, 2008 – The Oklahoma Department of Commerce today announced that Oklahoma recently received a Silver Shovel Award from Area Development, a leading site and facility planning magazine and information source, which recognized the state for its impressive job and investment growth throughout 2007.

According to Commerce, investment made by new and expanding companies totaled $1.59 billion in 2007. Over the next three years, Commerce – the lead economic development agency in the state –expects about 15,448 new jobs to be created by 31 companies that relocated operations here in 2007 and 49 business start-ups and expansions.

In honoring Oklahoma with a 2008 Silver Shovel Award in the 3- to 10-million population category, Area Development cited Tiger Truck's off-road vehicle assembly plant in Poteau, which represents a $22-million investment and 300 jobs.

"While much of the nation struggles with the economy, Oklahoma's businesses continue to thrive. We offer competitive business costs, affordable living, and one of the lowest tax burdens in the nation," says Commerce Secretary Natalie Shirley. "But that's not the whole story. Companies choose Oklahoma because we have the greatest people in the world. The question really becomes not 'Why Oklahoma?' but 'Why not Oklahoma?'"

Area Development also cited Utah-based Sinclair Oil Corp.'s $1 billion investment in its Tulsa refinery, which should nearly double the company’s Oklahoma workforce to 200. The three-year expansion project will add $45 million to the Tulsa economy.

Also in 2007, DMI Industries of North Dakota opened a wind tower manufacturing facility in Tulsa. To meet the demands of the thriving wind industry in Oklahoma and across the nation, the facility ramped up employment to more than 400 within a few months of opening.

Alabama, Indiana, and Maryland tied with Oklahoma in the same category and also received Silver Shovel Awards. According to Area Development, these awards "recognize economic development agencies that drive significant job creation through innovative policies, infrastructure improvements, processes, and promotions."

Sandy Pratt, Deputy Director for Business Services at Commerce, says that during the awards ceremony, Area Development also cited Oklahoma’s Site Ready program, which certifies industrial parks and other commercial sites, assuring a quality site available in minimal time. Site Ready (www.okcommerce.gov/siteready) provides site selectors the information they need and helps Oklahoma communities maximize economic development opportunities.

"Area Development is highly respected in the economic development profession, so the Silver Shovel Award is quite an honor," Pratt says. "Coupled with our nationally recognized incentive program, Site Ready puts Oklahoma at a unique advantage. We seem to be making almost everyone’s relocation list these days."

2008 Location and Investment Examples
To date, several key locations and investments have occurred across Oklahoma.

AAA broke ground August 21 on a new operations center in Oklahoma City. About 825 employees will be hired for the new center, which is scheduled for completion in late 2009.

Hyatt hired 300 people at its new finance and accounting shared service center in Moore. The new jobs bring a $6 million payroll to central Oklahoma.

Mexico's Sigma-Alimentos recently opened its first U.S. manufacturing facility in Seminole. The operation at full capacity will employ 400 people.