Commerce Site Ready Program Adds Four Oklahoma Sites

March 2, 2009 -- Bristow, Miami, Stroud, and Weatherford recently added their industrial parks to the Oklahoma Site Ready Program, which is managed by the Oklahoma Department of Commerce. These latest additions bring the total number of sites in the program to 31.

"The Site Ready Program is one of the state's greatest tools for businesses looking to relocate or expand in Oklahoma," says Natalie Shirley, Oklahoma Secretary of Commerce and Tourism. "When a community has a certified site, it lets business locators and site consultants know that they are ready for growth."

Site Ready seeks to make business relocation, expansion and development in Oklahoma as inviting as possible. In partnership with OG&E and PSO, Commerce works to capitalize on economic development opportunities through community efforts employing the program.

The Bristow certified site is Bristow Prime and the Miami site is the Progress Industrial Park. In Stroud, the Stroud Midway Industrial Park has been certified, as well as the Weatherford Business and Technology Park in Weatherford.

"The Miami Industrial Development Authority chose to apply for the Site Ready Program in an effort to increase the visibility and marketing ability of our Industrial Park," says James Heyburn, Chairman of the Miami Industrial Development Authority. "We felt that the potential of filling our Park was much greater by being certified through the Oklahoma Department of Commerce and the Site Ready Certification system puts Oklahoma in the forefront in attracting business and industry."

The site certification program debuted in Oklahoma in 2006 and now has 31 sites in 21 communities.

Receiving certified status guarantees a prospective incoming business that the site is ready for construction. As businesses attempt to minimize risk, locations with shovel-ready sites emerge as top choices.

"Participating in the Site Ready Program will benefit the City of Weatherford and its economic development growth," says Bill Shonley, Weatherford Economic Development Director. "By partnering with the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, we are able to better leverage our marketing efforts by letting companies know what Weatherford has to offer and how we can help them grow their business."

By putting commercial and industrial properties through a rigorous qualification, inspection, and third-party verification process, the Oklahoma Site Ready Certification Program ensures that properties stamped Site Ready are: available for sale or lease immediately; ready to build, with all utilities and other infrastructure in place, pre-permitted, or planned; and clear of regulatory landmines.

In addition to capitalizing on economic development opportunities, Site Ready aims to prepare Oklahoma communities to accommodate new business prospect inquiries, learn about various industry project needs and strategically plan to address them.

The Oklahoma Site Ready Program targets industries such as aerospace, research, industrial and rural business. Visit www.OKcommerce.gov/siteready for detailed site- and community-specific information, including proximity to major transportation routes, area labor force statistics, nearby community profiles, utilities, cost of living details, and business incentives for site selectors' consideration.

Applications for the most recent round of the Oklahoma Site Ready Program were due in October. While the department continually accepts applications, the next application due date will be March 31.

Applications, as well as additional program information, are available online at www.OKcommerce.gov/sites. For more information about the application process, call Jeremy Zeller, site certification program manager with the Commerce Department, at 405-815-5214 or e-mail jeremy_zeller@OKcommerce.gov.