November 18, 2009 -- The Oklahoman reports Langston University’s Economic Development and Outreach Department will receive an $800,000 grant to fund revitalization projects.
The grant, funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, will allow university officials to initiate economic development projects in Langston and the empowerment zone in Oklahoma City. What: 13-County Area Earns "Work Ready Certified Region"
When: Nov. 10; 1:30 p.m.
Where: Kiamichi Technology Center - McCurtain County Campus
3205 Lincoln Road N.E.
Idabel, OK 74745
November 5, 2009 -- 13 counties -- Atoka, Bryan, Choctaw, Coal, Haskell, Hughes, Johnston, Latimer, LeFlore, McCurtain, McIntosh, Pittsburg, and Pushmataha -- in the Southeast region have met all of the criteria to become Work Ready. It is the fourth area in the state to earn Oklahoma Certified Work Ready Community status and the first multi-county region.
The public is welcome to join us in celebrating this event! October 16, 2009 -- Steve Gilbert, City Manager and Director of Economic Development for the City of Stroud, is like a chef working on creating a great meal….things are happening all over the kitchen. The city has land, buildings, and infrastructure to attract new engines to drive the local economy. As the central man behind the community’s economic development efforts, Gilbert is stirring multiple pots – keeping existing businesses open and thriving while attracting new industries to Stroud.
Gilbert is an advocate for small towns’ pursuing several creative avenues to move themselves forward. He says small towns in Oklahoma have to be multifaceted, and look to multiple revenue streams, build public and corporate partnerships, and be flexible and creative in problem-solving. September 15, 2009 – Money Magazine has named Broken Arrow as one of the country’s best places to retire.
The magazine named Broken Arrow to its "25 Best Places to Retire" after profiling cities around the country based on cost of living, recreational activities and quality of healthcare. September 15, 2009 -- The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has approved the plans of four Oklahoma Tribes to issue $22.5 million apiece in tax-exempt bonds for economic development and infrastructure projects.
The projects proposed for the bond issues include projects for the Kaw Nation, the Ponca Tribe of Oklahoma, the Delaware Tribe of Indians and the Fort Sill Apache Tribe. August 31, 2009 -- According to a new survey from Street & Smith’s SportsBusiness Journal, Tulsa ranks as the third-best city in the nation for minor league sports.
In the survey, Tulsa ranked in the top 10 in economics, new venues and the tenure of its teams, thanks in great part to the Drillers’ 55-year history in Tulsa, according to the Tulsa World.
All of Tulsa’s teams play in new or renovated venues, except the Tulsa Drillers, who will play at the new ONEOK Field next spring. August 20, 2009 -- The Journal Record reports nearly 80% of Oklahoma City residents say they are satisfied with their quality of life according to a recent survey.
The annual study was conducted by the ETC Institute on behalf of the Oklahoma City municipal government. 80% of residents who responded say they believe their city is moving in the right direction and is a good place to live, raise children, and work. July 31, 2009 -- Acting Chief Executive Officer of the United States Olympic Committee (USOC), Stephanie Streeter, recently announced the designation of two U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Sites in Oklahoma.
The USOC has named the Oklahoma River south of downtown Oklahoma City, in partnership with the Oklahoma City Boathouse Foundation, as an official U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Site for rowing and canoe/kayak. The University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) in Edmond, already a Paralympic site, added the Olympic designation to become an official site for volleyball, archery and Paralympic sports.
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 Did you know in 2008 Oklahoma's Weatherization Assistance Program enabled low-income families to reduce their energy bill by more than $350 a year?
Last year Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) awarded 163 new projects in Rural Oklahoma benefiting over 250,000 people.
These statistics and more are featured in the  2008 Community Development Annual Report from the Oklahoma Department of Commerce.
Download your copy today and learn more! | 
