June 23, 2010 -- Bartlesville received a significant honor as one of the Top Ten Small Markets of the Decade, announced by Southern Business & Development magazine (SB&D) in this month’s issue. The award is based on total points in the SB&D 100, the magazine's annual listing of the top 100 economic development projects of the year in the South in terms of investment and job creation. SB&D is the leading publication promoting corporate investment and job creation in the American South, the world’s fourth largest economy.

"Bartlesville, a unique community nestled in ‘Green Country’ of northeast Oklahoma, has demonstrated that its low tax burden, educated workforce, and focused economic development program work together nicely to attract and retain business,"  says SB&D’s Publisher Mike Randle. "These attributes, combined with affordable utilities and real estate, create a formula for economic success." In Bartlesville, the average cost of electricity for industrial customers is just 4.2 cents per KWh.

“We are fortunate to be located in a state that has the fifth lowest overall tax burden in the nation,” says Ann Gaines, Director of Business Development for the Bartlesville Development Corporation (BDC). “Land and construction costs in Bartlesville are below the national average, and so is our cost of living.  On the other hand, our standard of living is superb.”

Though built by oil and gas, Bartlesville actively seeks a variety of industries to diversify its economic base. In 1986, Bartlesville passed a ¼ cent sales tax to fund an economic development program to attract new industry to the area. Receipts from that sales tax fund the program managed by the BDC. The sales tax also provides attractive incentives to new and existing companies. 

In 2005, Wal-Mart opened a 900,000 square foot grocery distribution center in Bartlesville that ultimately created 1,000 jobs for area residents. Wal-Mart has also operated a claims management office in Bartlesville since 1996. SITEL, an international customer relations firm, located in 2000.  Springs Global US, Inc., a manufacturer of pillows and comforters, made its way to Bartlesville in 1997. SGS, an asset integrity management firm, landed in 2003, and Husky Portable Containment in 2009. Since 1986, the Bartlesville Development Corporation has facilitated the attraction or retention of 5,000 jobs and $110 million in new capital investment.

Existing firms have also benefitted from the city’s economic development program.  ABB, Inc. and Siemens Industry, Inc. both received assistance with expansion and modernization of their facilities.  ConocoPhillips, Bartlesville’s largest employer, requested and received help from the BDC with a number of family familiarization fairs for employees transferring from other cities.

"Bartlesville is a real plus for us when it comes to attracting and retaining employees,” says Mark Headley, Manager of Corporate Real Estate for ConocoPhillips. “The low-cost, high-quality lifestyle provided here is very appealing to a diverse group of people. The city infrastructure is very business friendly and supportive of public/private business partnerships that benefit the community. It's a great place to do business." ConocoPhillips finds the communications infrastructure in Bartlesville supportive of its corporate shared services and R&D facilities. The Fortune 500 company employs approximately 3,000 people in Bartlesville.