Site selection consultants and executives responsible for business location and expansion can count on the Oklahoma Fast Forward economic development team to make the process painless and profitable. We coordinate with state and federal agencies and local communities to reduce red tape and bring your project in on-time and within budget. Oklahoma offers a qualified, available workforce, straight-forward business incentives, world-class job training, and among the lowest cost of doing business in the country. Contact the Fast Forward team today at 800-588-5959 or oklahomafastforward@okcommerce.gov, and tell us about your project.

Tulsa Named One of the Best Bargain Markets

July 22, 2008 -- Tulsa is No. 9 in a new list of the country's best real estate bargain markets, according to MSN Real Estate.

MSN describes Tulsa as a place "where the South meets the American West, mixing genteel hospitality with rugged ambitions and terrain. It's a center for the energy industry, which means the economy is hopping."

Publication Lists Ardmore as one of the Top Ten Locations in the South

July 18, 2008 -- Southern Business & Development Magazine's special 15th Anniversary bonus edition lists Ardmore in the Top Ten of small markets in the South.  The special edition identifies "The Best Places in the South to Locate Your Company."

"Ardmore provides unique opportunities because of it's proximity to both Dallas and Oklahoma City.  The nearby resorts and lake areas also provide for a unique blend," says Wes Stucky, with the Ardmore Chamber of Commerce.

Hi-Tech Facility in Quapaw Means 165 New Jobs

July 1, 2008 -- According to the Miami News Record, Umicore will build a new facility in Quapaw that will include 165 new jobs with an annual payroll of $8.5 million within the next three years.

Umicore's new facility will produce germanium wafers. The new plant will complement the company's existing production in Belgium, effectively doubling Umicore's wafer production capacity to 900,000.

Oklahoma Southeast Hosts Site Locators at Annual Striper and Golf Festival

June 16, 2008 -- Oklahoma Southeast recently held its annual Striper and Golf Festival at Lake Texoma near Kingston. The event, now in its 9th year, has been recognized as one of the premier economic development recruiting events in the state. 

The purpose of the Striper and Golf Festival is to attract site locators and others involved in new and expanding businesses to southeast Oklahoma for a three-day showcase of the region. Member communities and sponsors are given the opportunity to network directly with these decision makers during the event.

Oklahoma to Help Purchase Former GM Plant

June 9, 2008 -- State officials will provide $10 million to Oklahoma County's initiative to buy the former General Motors plant and lease it to Tinker Air Force Base.

$6 million will come from an Office of State Finance appropriation while $4 million will come from a state job development fund.

2 Oklahoma Companies Make ‘Hot Growth’ List

June 4, 2008 -- 2 Oklahoma companies are among BusinessWeek’s 50 "Hot Growth Companies."

At No. 4 is Tulsa-based North American Galvanizing and Coatings. The company provides hot-dipped galvanizing and coatings to prevent corrosion of fabricated steel products.

Verizon Business Adds New Support Center in Tulsa

May 20, 2008 -- Verizon Business is opening a new customer service and support center to accommodate growing customer demand for its end-user help desk services. The new center will greatly boost Verizon Business' overall ability to handle calls for technical support by more than doubling the capacity of its current help desk operations, while enhancing system redundancy.

The new facility in Tulsa has the capacity for 400 highly trained consultants, who will serve as the first point of contact for callers, helping to resolve issues with personal computers and handheld devices such as a Blackberry.

AAA Adding 1200 Jobs In Oklahoma City

May 16, 2008 -- Citing Oklahoma's motivated workforce, business friendly environment, and competitive business costs, AAA Member Services Co. plans to build a 198,000 square-foot customer service center and bring 1,200 jobs to the Oklahoma City area.

"This site selection is not only good news for Oklahoma City," says Neal Krueger, President and CEO of AAA Oklahoma, "it's good news for the members of participating AAA clubs who stand to benefit from Oklahoma's motivated workforce, friendly business environment and competitive operating costs."

Tulsa Ranked 5th Best Place to Live

May 16, 2008 -- A new survey ranks Tulsa as the 5th best place to live in the United States.

The survey by Relocate-America cites Tulsa's low unemployment, as well as its rapidly growing economy based on telecommunications, manufacturing, aerospace, transportation, and energy.

The survey also cites Tulsa's cultural activities including its four museums as well as its suburban school districts.

Former GM Plant Finds New Life with Tinker Air Force Base

May 14, 2008 -- Oklahoma County voters recently approved the $55 million purchase of the former General Motors Plant so it can be leased to Tinker Air Force Base.

Tinker plans to use the new plant for airplane maintenance, among other things.  The new plant will also help Tinker attract new missions from the U.S. Department of Defense. 

Oklahoma County Commissioner Ray Vaughn tells The Oklahoman, the vote showed the Air Force the Oklahoma City area supports Tinker and wants to see its maintenance, overhaul, and repair operations expand and prosper.

Find It FAST!

Check out these quick links or call the Fast Forward Team at 800-588-5959 for personal assistance.

• Incentives
• Buildings & Sites
• Demographic Data
• Workforce Data
• Target Industries
• Community Profiles
• Workforce Training
• Major Employers
• State Chambers and ED Organizations
• Recent News
• Sooner ED News 

A recent story on OETA's Oklahoma News Report describing the future of wind energy in Oklahoma.

10 Reasons to Choose Oklahoma Brochure Now in 4 Languages

Oklahoma's Advantage for Business Location (Multilingual Brochure)
10 Reasons to locate or expand in Oklahoma given in four different languages: English, Spanish, German, and Mandarin Chinese. For help with your business location or expansion, contact Oklahoma's Fast Forward Team, 800-588-5959.

Oklahoma Site Selection News

Download the latest edition of Oklahoma Site Selection News to learn why Oklahoma is the best possible location for your next wind energy project or parts manufacturing operation. Also in this issue: a new advanced manufacturing facility brings 300 jobs to eastern Oklahoma and Sallisaw and Tahlequah add their industrial parks to Oklahoma's Site Ready Certification Program. 

2008-01 Site Selection News February

10 Reasons to Choose Oklahoma

There are many reasons to choose Oklahoma. We'll give you 10 right now. Click the icon below and find out why so many companies call Oklahoma their home.

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