July 23, 2008 -- The Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology (OCAST) has scheduled several workshops as part of its Research & Development Faculty and Student Intern Partnership (RDIP).
RDIP is an innovative and collaborative program that provides a winning solution for the state's undergraduate students, private industry firms who need to hire student interns, faculty who teach undergraduate students and Oklahoma's applied research R&D facilities. July 15, 2008 -- According to The Oklahoman, an economic impact study recently released by the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce finds the Presbyterian Health Foundation Research Park has a multi-million dollar impact on the state's economy.
The study says the research park has an annual direct economic impact of $93.8 million, with 1,300 employees in 30-plus bioscience companies and 20-plus related entities housed in the 27-acre park. June 30, 2008 -- If your organization or business has recently implemented new workforce initiatives that assist in retaining existing employees, recruiting new skilled employees from an underutilized population segment, implemented new skill training or education techniques for existing employees, The Oklahoma Professional Economic Development Council (OEDC) would like to hear about them.
OEDC is hosting a 13 state Summit on Economic and Workforce Development October 27-28 at the Cox Convention Center. The Summit, “Crossing the Line: Evolving Regional Strategies – Real Change, Real Challenges, Real Connections”, will focus on efforts to help find solutions for workforce needs in the Midwest while recognizing those organizations taking the lead in workforce initiatives.
Visit www.oedc.net for more information and to access the nomination form. June 20, 2008 -- According to the Tulsa World, Boone Pickens has donated $9.4 million to the Tulsa-based American Association of Petroleum Geologists Foundation (AAPG) to develop a digital geology consortium between the AAPG and Oklahoma State University (OSU).
The first of its kind consortium will produce digital geographical information system products through the OSU Geology and Geography Department. Those products will be made available to anyone via the AAPG's intranet database.
"Mr. Pickens has provided funds for a unique opportunity -- to merge the prowess and talents of AAPG and OSU to build a new petroleum geosciences consortium that will develop maps and data that will be seen around the world," AAPG Foundation Executive Director Rick Fritz tells the World. June 18, 2008 -- Zeledyne recently celebrated the $30 million rebuild of its T2 furnace and float line, which can produce up to 600 tons of glass a day, as part of an open house at its 1.4 million square-foot facility in Tulsa.
Zeledyne bought the 34-year-old glass plant from Ford Motor Co.'s Automotive Components Holdings Group earlier this year.
Officials hope the new T2 will operate around the clock for the next 12 years, possibly producing up to 30,000 miles worth of glass. Tom Walker, Executive Vice President and COO, Appointed CEO
June 16, 2008 -- i2E recently announced the retirement of CEO and President Greg Main and the appointment of former Executive Vice President and COO Tom Walker to CEO and President.
"i2E and the state of Oklahoma have benefited significantly from Greg Main's dedicated determination to create an environment and culture of entrepreneurship and innovation in this state," says Steve Cropper, i2E Chairman of the Board. "He has helped build i2E's exceptional team of professionals and results-oriented culture. It has been a pleasure to participate in the growth that the organization has experienced under his leadership." June 9, 2008 -- According to The Oklahoman, Amethyst Research Inc. recently received a $2 million earmark from two members of Oklahoma's congressional delegation to continue its research into materials for infrared systems used in night-vision goggles.
Amethyst could get another $3 million after Rep. Tom Cole and Sen. Jim Inhofe inserted earmark requests into Defense Department authorization bills for fiscal year 2009. May 30, 2008 -- OKCBusiness has named the top 30 companies that are considered the "Best Places to Work in Oklahoma."
"The competition for qualified employees in Oklahoma intensifies as our state's economy grows," says Bill Bleakley, OKCBusiness’ Publisher. "These companies have clearly made the connection between a quality workplace and a quality workforce." May 30, 2008 -- Federal Recycling Technologies, Inc. (FRT) has announced the issuance of a patent titled "Apparatus and Method for Recovering Carbon Black from Pyrolysis Byproducts." The patent is based on a system of purifying carbon black recovered from scrap rubber for use as ink and toner.
"What we have developed is a cost-effective way of removing the residual impurities resulting in a high-grade carbon black suitable for the manufacture of inks and toners for use in toner cartridges, copiers and laser printers," says Dr. Robert Shapiro, President of FRT. May 28, 2008 -- Six wind tower sections have left DMI Industries at the Tulsa Port of Catoosa bound for a wind farm site in north Texas.
"It is an extraordinary sight to see a caravan hauling these 80-foot tower sections," says Stefan Nilsson, President of DMI Industries, in an interview with the Tulsa World. |
Check out these quick links for businesses or call the Business Solutions team today at 800-879-6552 for personal assistance. Oklahoma's Central Purchasing Division recently launched an online vendor system that notifies registered businesses via e-mail when bid opportunities for state agency contracts are available. For $25 per commodity, registered businesses can receive e-mails whenever state agencies have supply needs that fit their profiles.
Online Vendor Registration
Related Link: Oklahoma Department of Commerce's BidWatch Service
 The Oklahoma Employer/Employee Partnership for Insurance Coverage (O-EPIC), is the first program of its kind in the nation to assist small business owners, employees and their spouses with health insurance premiums. Visit www.insureoklahoma.org to learn more.
 Business Basics is a compendium of useful information for start-up businesses, covering licensing, trade name registration, copyright laws, credit card sales, tax ID numbers and more. Also available in Spanish language version.
(Tip: Internet Explorer users please right click the link and save to your computer before opening.)
 One of the most important, but toughest steps in starting a new business is developing the business plan. The Business Plan guide from the OSBDC provides a checklist with detailed help and a sample plan. Also available in Spanish language version. It's a great companion piece to Business Basics.
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