New OSU Bioenergy Lab to Enhance Biofuels
May 13, 2008 - A new $1.2 million bioenergy laboratory will give the development of biofuels in Oklahoma a high octane boost.
The lab, under construction at Oklahoma State University (OSU), west of the Stillwater campus, will enhance OSU's current biofuels research.
"Across our campus, OSU researchers are engaging in creative and imaginative problem-solving, and OSU biofuels research is a shining example of the benefits we are providing to our state and our nation," says OSU President Burns Hargis.
National Value Added Agriculture Conference Set for June 1-3 in OKC
April 29, 2008 -- The 10th Annual Value Added Agriculture Conference, set for June 1-3 at the Sheraton in Oklahoma City, features discussions about a variety of topics, including value-added and economic development provisions in the 2008 Farm Bill, organic labeling regulations and their impacts on niche meat marketers, and some hands-on product manufacturing experiences at the Robert M. Kerr Food & Agricultural Products Center at Oklahoma State University.
Register and make your hotel reservations by Friday, May 2 to take advantage of discounted rates. Conference Details and Registration
AT&T To Upgrade Wireless Network across Oklahoma
April 15, 2008 -- AT&T plans to invest $50 million and add 19 cell sites to its wireless network in Oklahoma this year. The company also plans to integrate 273 Oklahoma cell sites acquired last year when it purchased Oklahoma City-based Dobson Communications Corp.
AT&T will roll out its 3G (third generation) wireless network to additional communities across the state, including those in the Ardmore area and Osage and Tulsa counties. The Dobson integration will benefit communities in Adair, Cherokee, Craig, Delaware, Garfield, Mayes, McIntosh, Muskogee, Nowata, Okmulgee, Ottawa, Pittsburg, and Washington counties.
The 3G network, which offers customers access to broadband-type speeds from their laptops and access to e-mail and the Internet via the faster-speed network, already has been expanded to Shawnee. Bartlesville and Lawton will have access to 3G later this year.
Applications Now Available for OALP Class XIV
March 31, 2008 -- Applications are now being accepted for the Oklahoma Agricultural Leadership Program (OALP), an intensive two-year program at Oklahoma State University that focuses on the development of leaders in agriculture and agri-business.
"The agricultural world continues to grow and expand. Each OALP class has been exposed to the cutting-edge changes that are occurring in agriculture and agri-business. Our goal is to teach members to think outside of the traditional agricultural framework," says Joe Williams, OALP Director.
Applications for OALP's Class XIV are available online at www.oklahomaagleadership.org. The application and reference letters must be submitted by Friday, May 16.
Money Now Available to Support Rural Small Businesses, Minority Producers
Feb. 26, 2008 -- Applications are now being accepted in four loan- and grant-program areas designed to provide assistance to small rural businesses and minority producers. Administered by the state USDA Rural Development Office, the four areas are:
- Rural Economic Development Loans provide zero-interest loans to Rural Development utility program borrowers, which in turn re-lend the money at zero interest to local entities to promote economic development and job creation projects. Application Deadline: March 31, 2008 and June 30, 2008
- Rural Business Opportunity Grants finance training and technical assistance for business development. Application Deadline: March 31, 2008
- Rural Cooperative Development Grants help rural residents form new cooperative businesses and improve the operations of existing cooperatives. Application Deadline: April 8, 2008
- Small Minority Producer Grants are provided to cooperatives or associations of cooperatives with at least 75% minority representation among their membership and/or governing boards. Application Deadline: April 8, 2008
For more information and applications, visit www.rurdev.usda.gov/ok.
Commerce Announces New Rural Development Specialist
Feb. 11, 2008 -- Oklahoma Commerce has recently hired Christy Dixon as the new Southwestern Oklahoma Rural Development Specialist. Dixon's office will be located at Cameron University's Center for Emerging Technology and Entrepreneurial Studies (CETES).
One of Dixon's biggest priorities is helping create strong regional partnerships in Southwestern Oklahoma.
"Regional partnerships help create the critical mass needed to attract and retain businesses in our communities," says Dixon.
Oklahoma's rural development specialists are responsible for assisting with the economic development efforts of their respective quadrants by enhancing and developing regional economic development partnerships, assisting with workforce development initiatives, helping communities implement business retention and expansion programs and helping them become entrepreneur friendly and assisting businesses in connecting to other Commerce resources. The rural development specialists also work with Commerce's statewide partners to help deliver the programs that help rural communities succeed.
