Business Retention And Expansion Strategies

Main | Executive Pulse | BR&E Best Practices

Established businesses often represent the best option for your community's economic renewal so it makes good sense to first work toward ensuring their success and growth. The Oklahoma Department of Commerce offers expertise, resources, and services to help communities accomplish 5 primary goals:

• develop structured business retention and expansion (BR&E) programs;
• strengthen relationships;
• revitalize communities;
• create jobs;
• improve the quality of life.

The following provides a quick look:

Strategic Planning
Commerce works with communities to set priorities and objectives for downtown revitalization and community and economic development. With goals in place, we then help communities develop strategies for achieving them. Contact Scott Myers, 405-815-5356 or 800-879-6552.

Relationship Building
We can find people in your community, region, or across the state with similar goals, strengths, and challenges. We bring these interests together through large regional partnerships or one-on-one meetings.

Service Provider Database
Imagine a Rolodex with thousands of entries. Use the Service Provider Database to find foundations, Workforce Oklahoma Centers, adult career development groups, agritourism organizations, Training for Industry Program providers, and leadership planners just to name a few. Search by county, region, industry, or keyword.

Incentive Development
Let our experts guide the way. We can help you develop local, performance-based incentives tied directly to job creation or retention.

Oklahoma Site Ready Certification Program
Industrial properties certified as "shovel ready" grab the attention of site selection consultants and company executives. Complete the Site Ready Certification process, and then join communities in reaching buyers through the GIS-based Buildings & Sites Database .

Data & Statistics
Labor force studies, manufacturing sector status reports, industry sector analysis, and employment briefings--you'll find all the statistics you need to complete grant applications, answer questions from site selection consultants, plan for the future, and more. Visit the Data & Research page.

Networking & Professional Development
Commerce and its partners regularly sponsor workshops and conferences that give economic development and community reps a chance to network, discuss trends, looming challenges, and improvement plans.

Economic Development Specialists

Oklahoma Department of Commerce Economic Development Specialists work hand-in-hand with economic development and community development professionals across the state to assist them in forming strategies and best practices that keep Oklahoma's businesses exactly where they belong--Oklahoma.

Managed by Vikki Dearing, Director of the Commerce Business Solutions Team, the Economic Development Specialists provide a wide variety of expertise and assistance including:

• Rural economic development;
• Executive Pulse, Business Information System licensing, and assistance with data analysis;
• Business and community advocacy;
• Women-owned business assistance;
• Minority-owned business assistance;
• Entrepreneurial and start-up business support.

The Economic Development Specialists, contact information, and areas of expertise are listed below. Contact them today!

	Christy Davis Assistant to the Division Director 405-815-5345
	Rob Gragg Rural Development Coordinator focusing on the issues facing rural communities in their economic development efforts 405-815-5299.
	Martin Roberts Economic Development Specialist focusing on BR&E 405-815-5262
	Rana Steeds Economic Development Specialist focusing on supporting women-owned businesses, business incubators, and business start-ups 405-815-5143
	Ken Talley Economic Development Specialist focusing on supporting minority-owned businesses and business start-ups 405-815-5218