Helping the state’s existing businesses expand and prosper represents a crucial part of raising the overall economic vitality of Oklahoma. Up to 90 percent of all new jobs created come from existing businesses. And, it’s significantly cheaper to retain jobs than attract new employers. In cooperation with the Oklahoma Alliance for Manufacturing Excellence and other strategic partners, the Oklahoma Department of Commerce offers a wide range of expansion and retention services to help existing businesses grow. Contact one of our Economic Development Specialists to find out how Commerce can help you.
Kudos: Recent Business Expansions
Sigma Alimentos, is Mexico´s largest producer and distributor of refrigerated and frozen food. Sigma's main activities include the production, distribution and sale of processed meat, yogurt, cheese and prepared meals; 475 new jobs in Seminole; Quality Jobs Participant
United Recovery Systems, is an industry leader in debt collections servicing the nation’s leading financial institutions with technically advanced programs and a progressive management style; 230 new jobs in Tulsa; Quality Jobs Participant.
Chaparral Energy, is engaged in the exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas predominantly from the Mid-Continent, Permian Basin and Texas Gulf Coast regions; 220 new jobs in Oklahoma City, Quality Jobs Participant.
S&R Compression is a leading design, manufacturing & leasing company of electric & engine driver compressor packages for the oil & gas industry focusing on wellhead, vapor recovery, DewPoint Control, flash gas, gathering systems, plant application, & many more; 150 new jobs in Tulsa; Quality Jobs Participant.
Data collected by the Oklahoma Department of Commerce shows investment announced by new and expanding manufacturers and processors in 2007 totaled over .3 billion. Within the next three years, over 7,300 new jobs will be created by 21 new and 56 expanding manufacturing firms.
November 20, 2008 – According to the Tulsa World, M&M Manufacturing will triple its workforce as part of a major expansion. The company is adding the jobs as it expands into a new 45,000-square-foot building that is six times larger than the company’s previous headquarters and shop.
The World reports the expansion will triple the company's work force to about 120 within a year and position M&M as a major aerospace supplier in the area. M&M makes parts for aerospace suppliers including Nordam Group and GE Aviation as well as automotive, medical, and oil industries.
Chevron Phillips Chemical Co. Relocating to Bartlesville
November 12, 2008 -- According to the Tulsa World, Chevron Phillips Chemical Co. LP will move its Orange, TX, polyethylene technology center to Bartlesville by the end of next spring. The transfer will relocate as many as 20 jobs to the new facility.
Chevron Phillips, a 50-50 joint venture started in 2000 by ConocoPhillips and Chevron Corp., researches and produces high-density polyethylene for pipes, milk jugs and many other uses, reports the World.
Chevron Phillips Chemical is a top producer of olefins, plastic piping and polymer resins worldwide. The company and its affiliates employ more than 5,300 people at 38 manufacturing and research facilities in nine countries.
Everest Sciences Adds 20-30 Jobs in Tulsa
October 24, 2008 -- According to the Tulsa World, Everest Sciences, which recently opened its headquarters in Tulsa, plans to add 20-30 salespeople and engineers over the next two years.
"Tulsa has of the talent pool for the particular kind of technical staff we need," says Founder Dave Voeller, in an interview with the World.
Hi-Tech Umicore Factory Breaks Ground in Quapaw
October 22, 2008 – Umicore recently broke ground in Quapaw on a $35 million factory that will make parts for solar panels. The new factory will add 50 high-tech jobs when it opens in 2010.
The new plant will produce a small part for high-efficiency solar panels that are used on satellites and other space objects, including NASA’s Mars Exploration rovers.
Alpine Access Adding 100 Jobs Statewide
October 14, 2008 -- Alpine Access recently announced the company is expanding into the state of Oklahoma and adding 100 positions.
The company creates contact center programs for companies that need home-based workers to answer calls from retailers that sell through catalogs and Web sites, financial service businesses, and the Internal Revenue Service. The majority of home-based customer care professionals will be hired from Tulsa, Oklahoma City and respective surrounding areas in order to meet increasing demand from new and existing customers.
To learn more about employment requirements or to apply for a home-based position, visit www.alpineaccess.com and click on the 'Careers' tab.
Wind Tower Manufacturer Will Increase Output at Tulsa Plant
October 2, 2008 -- DMI Industries, an international leader in the manufacturing of wind turbine towers, recently announced plans to expand production capabilities and double its Tulsa-based workforce. The company plans to add 225 jobs by mid-2009 at its Tulsa factory.
Oklahoma Department of Commerce Secretary Natalie Shirley said the expansion of DMI reflects Oklahoma’s transformation into a top-tier renewable energy producer and provider of goods and services.
New Norman Nano Plant Up and Running
September 26, 2008 - SouthWest NanoTechnologies (SWeNT) Inc. recently dedicated a new $3.9 million nanotube manufacturing plant in Norman.
SWeNT produces single wall carbon nanotubes, which are hollow cylinders of approximately one nanometer -- or a billionth of a meter. Carbon nanotubes are known for their extraordinary strength and flexibility and are in demand for myriad uses in manufacturing.
Ardmore Hospital Adding 100 New Jobs
September 26, 2008 – According to KTEN-TV, a "Topping Out" celebration was recently held at the new Mercy Memorial Patient Tower construction site in Ardmore
The hospital is hiring at least 20 doctors and at least 100 more employees. The 158-room facility is scheduled to be complete in late January 2010.
Oklahoma City Company Expanding and Adding Jobs
September 10, 2008 - According to The Oklahoman, Oklahoma City-based Principal Technologies Inc. is expanding its office by constructing a 10,00-square-foot building. The commercial staffing firm and government solution provider specializes in accounting professionals, administrative-logistical support, engineering and information technology.
The Oklahoman reports the company needs more space to accommodate rapid growth. The company has 17 employees, but says its staff will grow.
Construction on the new building will begin in early 2009.
Oklahoma-Based Manhattan Construction Group Acquires Kraft Construction Company
September 2, 2008 -- Manhattan Construction Group recently announced it is acquiring a controlling interest in Kraft Construction Company Inc. With this acquisition, the combined annual revenue of Manhattan and its subsidiaries, including Kraft, grows to approximately $1.5 billion.
Manhattan Construction Group has a diverse portfolio of construction firms providing general building, bridge building and concrete placement services. Manhattan is also a subsidiary of Rooney Holdings Inc., an investment company with offices in Tulsa as well as Florida.
Insure Oklahoma Expanded
A program to help small businesses in Oklahoma provide health insurance for employees has been expanded.
Only businesses with 25 or fewer employees were eligible when the Insure Oklahoma program, formerly known as O-EPIC, started in November. As of last week, 1,156 employees at 613 small businesses were participating in the program statewide.
The Oklahoma Health Care Authority has now been authorized to expand the program to include businesses with up to 50 employees. Insure Oklahoma's expansion was authorized by the Legislature in House Bill 2842 and approved by Gov. Brad Henry.
The state covers 60% of the costs and the federal government provides matching funds. Employers pay 25%and employees pay 15%.
Insure Oklahoma was created to help small-business owners purchase health insurance in the private market for eligible employees and their spouses. The employee's household must be at or below 185 percent of the federal poverty level to participate in the program. An employee who is single can earn up to $18,130 a year. Married employees can earn up to $24,240 and married employees with two children up to $37,000 a year.
Using WorkKeys and Oklahoma Career Readiness Certificates provides a better-trained workforce for employers and greater employment opportunities for a state’s workers. But to accomplish this, we must have Career Readiness Champions—businesses, educators, and anyone interested in making Oklahoma a place of prosperity.
Gov. Brad Henry urges business and community leaders to get involved. Learn how.
