October 28, 2009 -- Paula Marshall, CEO of Bama Cos. Inc., has written a new book that describes how her company succeeded.
The book, "Finding the Soul of Big Business," focuses on the need to change the way business is done.
Bama Cos., based in Tulsa since the 1930’s, employs 1,000 people in Tulsa and makes a variety of foods for some of the world's largest retailers, including McDonald's and Wal-Mart. October 28, 2009 -- Oklahoma Gas and Electric Company (OG&E) has been notified today by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) that its application for $130 million in stimulus funding to accelerate the Positive Energy® Smart Grid program has been accepted for award, pending final negotiations next month.
At the same time President Barack Obama was in Florida, announcing all of the recipients included in the $3.4 billion Smart Grid Investment Grant awards program to improve the nation's electricity infrastructure. October 27, 2009 - Four Oklahoma companies are among Forbes list of "America's 200 Best Small Companies."
Oklahoma City-based LSB Industries is No. 41, Tulsa-based AAON is No. 58, Ada-based Pre-Paid Legal Services Inc. is No. 66, and Tulsa's Matrix Service is No. 185. Denise Bode, CEO of American Wind Energy Association, to Deliver Opening Keynote
September 23, 2009--Come to the 2009 Revolution Wind Energy Conference at the Cox Convention Center in Oklahoma City Wednesday, Dec. 2 and Thursday, Dec. 3 to learn about new developments in Oklahoma's wind energy industry. Online registration is now available at www.OKWindRevolution.com.
Denise Bode, CEO of the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA), will kick off the conference with a special keynote address Wednesday, Dec. 2. 2009 Revolution Wind Energy Conference Agenda
Discussions will focus on energy policy developments and the next steps needed to expand our state's wind energy contribution to America's energy mix. Seminars and breakout sessions will provide an in-depth look at timely industry subjects and issues, including:
- Wind energy economics with developer and landowner perspectives;
- Transmission and distribution: policy and planning;
- Wind energy: the environment and wildlife issues;
- Integrating natural gas with renewable energy.
September 1, 2009 - Tulsa-based Arena Resources is No. 8 on Fortune's annual listing of the 100 fastest-growing companies. Two other Oklahoma-based companies also made this year's list.
Oklahoma City-based LSB Industries is No. 34, while Tulsa-based Helmerich & Payne while is No. 94. August 31, 2009 -- Tulsa-based Arena Resources Inc. and Ada-based Pre-Paid Legal Services Inc. are two Oklahoma-based businesses recently named among the "100 Best U.S. companies for 2008" in the 6th annual Best Company Award by DeMarche Associates Inc., according to the Tulsa World.
The award is based on independent DeMarche research, which studies nine fundamental factors of more than 3,000 U.S. corporations in terms of growth and risk management factors in maintaining shareholder value, says the World. August 17, 2009 -- The third annual Inc. 5,000 includes 21 Oklahoma City companies, 10 from Tulsa, three from Norman, two each from Stillwater, Broken Arrow, Woodward and Edmond and one each from Enid, Lawton and Yukon.
The list includes businesses that are among the 5,000 fastest-growing private companies in the country. August 14, 2009 – The Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology (OCAST) recently launched a new Web site, Service Provider Network and Online Intern Database available at http://ocast.ok.gov. The site features audio broadcasts, online registration for workshops, service providers, solicitation listings and internship opportunities in technology. Other resources for researchers, innovators and entrepreneurs also are available.
The Service Provider Network enables visitors to find qualified third-party resources to develop innovative and advanced technology ideas, management services, processes or products and build commercial enterprises. August 5, 2009 -- The Oklahoma Film & Music Office is launching Reel-Crew, Oklahoma's new online Production Guide. Oklahoma crew and support services are now able to register for the new and improved guide. Register today!
With the recent increase in Oklahoma's Film Enhancement Rebate Program, the Oklahoma Film & Music Office has seen an increase in the number of productions interested in filming in our state. The office encourages members and support service providers statewide to register as soon as possible. August 5, 2009 -- The U.S. Department of the Treasury and the U.S. Department of Energy recently announced they are now accepting applications for an estimated $3 billion that will be made available for the development of renewable energy projects around the country. This follows the guidance for the program being issued in July.
Funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), the program will provide direct payments in lieu of tax credits in support of an estimated 5,000 bio-mass, solar, wind, and other types of renewable energy production facilities. |
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
Insure Oklahoma 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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