T

here's plenty of good news about Oklahoma's economy," says Tommy Kramer, economic development director of Durant, Okla. "It's one more sheet of music in a symphony of good news about economic development in Oklahoma."
      Rodgers and Hammerstein could not have written a better score. The Sooner State is collecting kudos for its pro-business climate and job growth. Financial World magazine ranked Oklahoma as having the second-best business cost structure in the country. Kiplinger's calls Oklahoma's business climate one of the best in the nation. In 1999, a year of nationwide economic expansion, Oklahoma's job growth exceeded the U.S. average by 15 percent.
      In a state that has historically relied on the oil and gas industry, officials hope to increase the technology sector by educating a skilled work force. "We have wonderful talent and commitment to enhancing technology," says Dr. W. Arthur Porter, dean of the Oklahoma University School of Engineering and Gov. Frank Keating's Cabinet secretary for science and technology. "I target freshmen by offering a lot of encouragement to care about the state, so they won't take their education elsewhere."

      OU hopes to increase its appeal to researchers and is considering a master plan for a research park with the possible anchor of a national weather facility. The National Oceanic Administration Association is considering a $60 million facility in the park in Norman. Plans also include a 100,00-sq.-ft. (9,290-sq.-m) multipurpose research and incubator facility.

Largest New Facilities/Employers in Oklahoma From 6/1/2000 - 5/1/2001
Company	Location	Type of Plant	Jobs
Quad Graphics Inc	Oklahoma City	Printing Facility	1500
Digital Lighthouse	Yukon	Call Center	900
StarTek	Enid	Computer Trouble shooting	600
DynPar	Oklahoma City	Maintenance & Engineering	587
Southwestern Bell	Catoosa	Call Center	450
1-800Flowers	Ardmore	Inbound Customer Service	450
Manpower Professional	Oklahoma City	Personnel Supply Service	435
ClientLogic	Bartlesville	Technical Support	350
CustomerLinx	Bartlesville	Customer Service	325
Assurant Group	Lawton	Inbound Claims	300
Source: Conway Data's New Plants Database.

      Finding and retaining skilled labor appears to be the prevalent problem facing Oklahoma area business. According to state officials, job growth for computer engineers is expected to increase 137 percent by 2008. The need for computer support specialists is anticipated to grow by 122 percent. Gov. Keating recently ordered an under-employment survey statewide. The study showed the state has a significant amount of workers willing and able to seek better employment with additional training or help. Ardmore area residents, south of Oklahoma City, report 43 percent feel they are under-employed.
      Oklahoma residents are known for their hard work. The Sooner State was home to the booming gas and oil industry until the oil bust. However, the state unemployment rate remained well below the national average at 3.2 percent in February. "Oklahoma has the right work ethic," says Herb Kelleher, CEO of Southwest Airlines. "We are extremely pleased with the quality of people who are working for us here."
      The challenge of assisting those who are under-employed now becomes an opportunity for state officials to offer training programs. Two years ago the Existing Industry Training program started with $200,000 from state funding. The Governor and state Legislature have since increased the funding level to almost $2 million. The EIP program is an extension of the successful Training for Industry Program (TIP) offered through the Oklahoma Dept. of Career and Technology Education. TIP offers 54 centers and 39 universities across Oklahoma offering customized technology and career training providing employment-ready labor to new or expanding business.

      More than 300,000 students and workers are enrolled in business and industry training programs statewide. This is a growth of more than 50 percent since 1996. The TIP program has been a key factor in Oklahoma's su ccess in recruiting new industry. TIP was instrumental in luring Corning and Quad/Graphics recent facility locations.

New or Expanded Facilities in Tulsa 6/1/2000-5/1/2001
Company	N/E	Type	Employees
Southwestern Bell	N	Call Center	450
Decision One	E	Customer Service	420
AFN Communications	E	Telecom HQ	225
Great Plains Airlines	N	Telemarketing	200
Whirlpool	E	Household ranges	195
Kimberly Clark	E	Tissue	150
Bama Frozen Dough	E	Frozen Dough	75
Unitherm	E	Food Proc. Equip	50
Source: Conway Data's New Plants Database.

      "The technical skills that our workers develop as a result of the TIP program is invaluable," says Sam Riley, plant manager of Goodyear. "In fact, the training program at our Lawton plant has been so successful that it is being modeled in other states."
      The Quality Jobs Program gives companies cash back for creating new jobs. The program is anticipated to create 1,400 new jobs in Oklahoma within the next three years and offers a refund of up to 5 percent of taxable wages for up to 10 years. Business participants must create the full-time jobs and meet minimum salary requirements.