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The official newsletter of the
Enid Regional Development Alliance www.growenid.com |
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| SAVE THESE DATES... | February 25th
Enid Day at the Capitol
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March 11th
Economic Development Day at the Capitol
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March 23rd - 5-7 pm
NW Legislative Reception
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| BECOME A MEMBER |
It is time to consider the benefits of membership with ERDA. If you need information about your renewal contribution or want to become a new member, please call our office at (580) 233-4232. Click here for your 2015 membership application. |
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2015 NEW AND
RENEWING MEMBERS
OF ERDA
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ADVANCEPIERRE FOODS
AIRCRAFT STRUCTURES INTERNATIONAL
ATWOOD DISTRIBUTING
AUTRY TECHNOLOGY CENTER
BKD, LLP
CENTRAL NATIONAL BANK
CGB ENTERPRISES
CITY OF ENID
CUMMINS CONSTRUCTION
DENSE MECHANICAL CONTRACTORS
DILLINGHAM INSURANCE AGENCY
EDWARD JONES
EMRICK'S VAN & STORAGE
ENCOMPASS FINANCIAL SERVICES
ENID EVENT CENTER & CONVENTION HALL/GLOBAL SPECTRUM
ENVIROTECH ENGINEERING & CONSULTING
GARFIELD COUNTY INDUSTRIAL AUTHORITY
GEFCO
GROENDYKE TRANSPORT
HAMMER WILLIAMS
HENSON CONSTRUCTION COMPANY
HILAND PARTNERS
GUARANTEE/HUMPHREY ABSTRACT
INTEGRIS BASS BAPTIST HEALTH CENTER
INTERBANK
JUMBO FOODS
KC ELECTRIC CO.
NEMAHA ENVIRONMENTAL
NICHOLAS COMMERCIAL
NORTHCUTT CHEVROLET TOYOTA BUICK
NORTHERN OKLAHOMA COLLEGE
OAKWOOD MALL
PARRISH MANUFACTURING GROUP
PIONEER CELLULAR
RADDOCS INVESTMENT GROUP
SECURITY NATIONAL BANK
ST. MARY'S REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER
TPI STAFFING SERVICE, INC.
TRIANGLE INSURANCE COMPANY
WARD PETROLEUM CORPORATION
WILLIAMS FINANCIAL GROUP
WYMER BROWNLEE
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Brent, Curt, Jeremy, Justin, and Tony.
The starting five for the Class B State Runner Up basketball team in 1990. We had a great team that year in Burlington, Oklahoma under the aggressive leadership of our coach, Randy Turney. It was one of the best years in Burlington basketball history.
The reason the team did well was because we had each other's back. When one player had a down night, another one would step up and fill the gap. The difference between a good team and a bad team is the number of weapons you have. If you only have one player who can shoot the ball, the other team will double and triple team them until they are shut down. You must have more than one contributor if you are going to win.
Enid's economy has a lot of weapons today...but that hasn't always been the case.
There was a time in Enid's history when a drought like 2014 would completely cripple our town. But it doesn't anymore.
There was a time when someone in Washington could whisper the word BRAC and everything around Vance Air Force Base would shut down. But it doesn't anymore.
There was a time when the politics around healthcare would drive our economy into the ground since that is our largest employment sector. But it doesn't anymore.
And there was a time when $49 crude oil prices would cause us to print bumper stickers that say, "Last one out of town, turn off the light." But it doesn't anymore.
Enid has as diverse of an economy as it ever has. Yes, low prices and decreased activity in the Mississippian Lime Oil Play north of town will have an effect, but to honest with you, it could not have hit at a better time in Enid's history.
In 2015, Enid will have almost $2 billion worth of construction projects underway which is the equivalent of almost 3 Devon Towers being built in town. We will average about 500 construction workers here over the next three years and will have spikes of over 2000 workers at times. I'm not saying that our economy will skyrocket during this time, but I am suggesting the sky might not be falling either.
At the Enid Regional Development Alliance, we are seeing this as our opportunity to go out to the Free Agent Market and try to pick up some more weapons for our team. We are working with more companies looking to grow or locate in Enid than we have had at any time in the last 6 years. They know there is a possibility of an available workforce and they know we have the infrastructure to support them. Our job will be to get an Enid jersey on them and send 'em out on the court. I'm very excited about the future of Team Enid.
Go Elks!
Brent Kisling
Executive Director
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ENID ENTREPRENEURSHIP SERIES
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 Enid, Oklahoma is known for its entrepreneurial spirit. Most of the major employers in Enid began as small businesses started by local citizens that have grown into multi-million dollar companies. Some great examples include Ward Petroleum, Continental Resources, AdvancePierre Foods, Central Machine and Tool, and Dillingham Insurance. Enid's goal moving forward is to make sure we inspire and equip the next generation of business owners and do it in among a seamless network of local service providers. Read more...
Click here for the printable flyer.
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| ESAP ATTRACTS INTERNS AND PERMANENT JOB SEEKERS | |
 The Enid Summer Achiever's Program (ESAP) is now in it its third year. ESAP, operated through ERDA, markets summer internships to college and university students and provides housing to the interns recruited through the program. Housing is provided at no cost to the intern through a partnership with Northern Oklahoma College. Lisa Powell, Associate Director of ERDA, explained how the program works. "What our office does for the program is we market the internships that other companies are offering." Added to the program this year is marketing of permanent jobs to career fair attendees. The intent of the program is to expand the reach of local business and also to help summer interns truly enjoy their time in Enid so as they graduate and look for a community in which to settle, they might choose Enid. Two luncheons, "welcome" and "farewell" are just a small part of the events offered to the interns. They are introduced to Downtown Enid's First Fridays, Leonardo's, miniature golf with Enid Young Professionals and many more planned group activities. Although sign up has been going on for several weeks, it is not too late to provide us with job descriptions before we attend the first Spring Career Fair on January 30th. You will find the application here. For more information please call the ERDA office at (580) 233-4232.
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| ADVANCE PIERRE GAINS SANDWICH COMPANY | |
AdvancePierre Foods has acquired the wholesale and manufacturing operations of sandwich maker Landshire. In an announcement made this week, AdvancePierre will purchase Landshire's manufacturing operations, which produce dozens of cooked products that are frozen for distribution and sale. According to the announcement, Landshire's products have "significant presence" in convenience stores, retail establishments and food service. President and CEO John Simons said Wednesday the deal will result in overall growth for AdvancePierre. The addition of Landshire's sandwich operation will further utilize the value-added protein products produced in Enid, while bolstering AdvancePierre's operations in the area and fortifying employment," Simons said. Read more...
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| POLLS SHOW SUPPORT FOR INCENTIVES | |
 More than 70 percent of Oklahomans support tax incentives that create new investment or new jobs, according to a poll conducted in December. The SoonerPoll results showed that the support crosses all party lines and is consistent in all five congressional districts. "The results are clear: Oklahomans support economic development incentives," said State Chamber of Oklahoma President and CEO Fred Morgan. "This isn't a partisan issue, it's a jobs issue and Oklahomans overwhelmingly support policies that create jobs." Read more...
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| BILL WOULD ALLOW EASIER SHARING OF SERVICES BETWEEN MILITARY AND CITIES | 
Language included in the new defense spending bill will make it easier for military installations and municipalities to share support services, says Mike Cooper, city of Enid military liaison. The language, championed by Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Okla., is designed to overcome concerns by military leaders about previous legislation that opened the way for military-municipal partnerships. "This is a great tool that can be leveraged nationwide," said Cooper, who also serves as chairman of Oklahoma Strategic Military Planning Commission and national president of Association of Defense Communities. "Senator Inhofe is all about increasing mission capability and reducing costs." The types of partnerships envisioned, Cooper said, include cities and military installations sharing services like trash collection, wastewater treatment or street repair. Read more... (Pictured is Mike Cooper)
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| EVENT CENTER WINDPOWER CHANGEOVER A FIRST FOR OG&E | 
Enid Event Center and Convention Hall are coming clean.
Global Spectrum, which operates the event center, recently partnered with OG&E Wind Power to buy 1,332 Renewable Energy Credits, which will make the Enid facility 100 percent wind powered. The changeover to wind energy took place today, and the event center is the first convention and entertainment facility to be 100 percent wind powered in the OG&E system. Global Spectrum's Keller Taylor, general manager of Enid Event Center and Convention Hall, said they are excited for this new opportunity. "We are trying to look for environmentally friendly initiatives, so it's exciting to take the event center to 100 percent wind power and help divert some of the other emissions," he said. "It's one way that a building like this can make an impact from an environmental standpoint. We consciously try to go after opportunities like this wherever we are." Read more...
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AUTRY LAUNCHES SKILLS GAP AWARENESS EFFORTS
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Northwest Oklahoma, and more specifically Garfield County, is currently affected by a skills gap. A skills gap happens when workers do not have the skills that match those needed for open jobs. Autry Technology Center Superintendent Dr. James Strate says it will take a group effort to close this gap. One step to fixing the problem is to promote awareness of the issue. As part of these awareness efforts, Autry will be releasing a series of videos that tell about the skills gap from the perspective of industry and community partners and how Autry is helping close the gap. This is the first video introducing the issue. It is going to take the community working together to make this issue a priority. We need your help! We invite you to share this video through your social networks and help us close the skills gap! |
| CANNY MOVE: TURNING HOBBY INTO BUSINESS | |
When Continental Resources moved its headquarters to Oklahoma City in 2012, Linda Beguin decided to stay in Enid and turn a hobby into a small business. She had worked as an engineering analyst for five years, but her husband had a job in Enid and they had a farm with cattle. So Beguin started Over the Fence Farms making and selling pickles, bread mixes, sauces and spices. She started working out of the business incubator at the James W. Strate Center for Business Development at Autry Technology Center in Enid. What started as a small business with four products has expanded to offering 16 available in more than 60 stores, including one in Arkansas, and a second company operating as a commercial kitchen that packages products for other small food companies. Read more...
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| PURPLE INK SPILLS OUT FROM BUSINESS INCUBATOR |  After a 20-year business career, Molly Helm decided it was time to start her own company. Purple Ink provides marketing, consulting and writing services for companies and nonprofit organizations statewide. Clients include nonprofit organizations, including Oklahoma City-based Fields and Futures, and some small businesses that cannot afford a full-time marketing person. "I work all over the state," Helm said. "I have people who just need someone to come in and facilitate a meeting." Her company offices in the business incubator at the Center for Business Development at Autry Technology Center in Enid. Being in the business incubator has helped, Helm said. Read more...(Pictured is Molly Helm of Purple Ink-far left) |
| W.B. JOHNSTON GRAIN ACQUISITION BRINGS SOME CHANGE TO ENID OPERATION | 
There have been few changes in employees since W.B. Johnston Grain in Enid was acquired by Consolidated Grain and Barge Enterprises, attendees of Enid Regional Development Alliance Quarterly Luncheon learned Thursday. A few employees did choose to leave, but some employees were brought in, bringing little net change, said Scott Leininger, vice president of Consolidated Terminals and Logistics Co., a division of CGB, said. "We might do some office consolidation in the months ahead, where it could take some people out of Enid and go to, perhaps, a joint office over in the Tulsa area - where we try to bring a little of the east and west together for some of the economic benefits of that, especially on the grain side," he said. Looking back three years from now, Leininger expects there will be very little change from an employee standpoint. "We are thrilled to be in Enid. We like it here, the people have been so great," he said. "From a CGB standpoint, we want to be supportive back. Read more...
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ENID DAY AT THE CAPITOL 
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 The Greater Enid Chamber of Commerce is organizing Enid Day at the Capitol. The event will be held on February 25th. Legislators, state agency officials, and staff will be offered a waffle breakfast featuring Enid and Northwest Oklahoma products from 8:00 am to 9:00 am. Legislative meetings are planned following the breakfast. The vent is a continuation of the community's efforts to highlight needs and priorities for the Enid area to state legislators. Plan to attend this important Enid and Northwest Oklahoma legislative event. For more information about Enid Day at the Capitol visit www.enidchamber.com.
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| ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DAY AT THE CAPITOL | |
 Economic Development Day at the Capital is scheduled for Wednesday, March 11th. The day begins with the OEDC monthly meeting at noon. From 1-4 p.m. Legislative meetings are held at the capitol. The busy day ends with a reception from 5:00-6:30 p.m. at the Governor's Mansion, Phillips Pavilion. Click here to register. OEDC is the Economic Development Resource for Oklahoma, is an organization of economic development practitioners and advocates promoting a competitive business climate through legislative initiatives, coalition building and professional development." Enid Regional Development Alliance is a signature sponsor for this event.
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| 2015 NORTHWEST LEGISLATIVE RECEPTION PLANNED | 
The Northwest Oklahoma Alliance and its 20 member counties in conjunction with its Legislative Delegation cordially invite you to attend its Annual Legislative Reception. The reception will be held on Monday, March 23, 2015 at the Oklahoma History Center, 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive, Oklahoma City, OK from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Special Guests: Governor Mary Fallin (Invited) and Lieutenant Governor Todd Lamb. You may register to attend here.
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