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Regional leaders study best practices in Indy
For a second year, the Tulsa Metro Chamber led a delegation of business and government leaders on the What’s Next intercity visit to study best practices in regionalism, economic development, tourism development and quality of life initiatives. As the Chamber’s 2012 Chair-elect, Becky J. Frank, chairman and CEO of Schnake Turnbo Frank |PR, led more than 90 regional leaders during the intercity visit last week to Indianapolis, Indiana.
The purpose of the What’s Next program is to enable our region’s top civic leaders to identify opportunities to apply lessons learned from other communities here, in our region, to improve our collective economy and quality of life. Attendees included area mayors, Tulsa County representatives, city councilors, area chambers of commerce, and hospitality, higher education, and industry leaders. Intercity visits play a key role in driving public debate about important issues like municipal financing, economic development, education, downtown revitalization and tourism development.
“This trip seeks to build on the shared experiences and common foundation to become a more cohesive team working to solve problems on behalf of the region,” said Frank. “Intercity visits bring community leaders together to experience first-hand how another region is addressing similar issues.”
More than 40 years ago, political and business leaders in central Indiana worked together to transform a relatively small “crossroads town” surrounded by cornfields into a world class city with a sophisticated regional economy.
With no obvious economic advantage – either a seaport or access to natural resources – Indianapolis’ leaders don’t just have a “can do spirit” – they have a “must-do attitude.” Strong local leaders, such as the trip host and former Mayor Bill Hudnut, realized long ago that whatever Indianapolis was to become, they had to create it themselves, and future generations would need to continue it.
Today, Indianapolis boasts a large urban riverfront park filled with civic assets like public art, museums and a ballpark. Indianapolis has an NFL and an NBA franchise and world class convention and sports and entertainment facilities. Indy leaders have a defined regional economic strategy and are now confidently pursuing industries related to bio-science, advanced manufacturing and transportation and logistics.
Dr. Gerard Clancy, Chamber chair and president of the University of Oklahoma – Tulsa, said “the Tulsa region has gained ground in our competition with regional cities and states, but opportunities remain undiscovered to attract new residents, recruit capital investment, create new jobs, and improve the quality of life.”
“Looking in the mirror, the Tulsa region has opportunities for great civic accomplishments, but we must capitalize on our potential and keep our region moving forward by thinking bigger and acting boldly,” said Frank. “As we expand our regional cooperation and collaboration, we will continue these discussions to identify together what’s next for the Tulsa region.”
Click here to read more from the Oct. 16 edition of the Tulsa World.
TulsaBizPac supports candidates for the Nov. 8 general election and continues to accept contributions
The bi-partisan leadership of TulsaBizPac has identified candidates to support in the Nov. 8 city of Tulsa general election.
TulsaBizPac endorsed and provided additional financial contributions to candidates in six of the seven contested general election races:
Endorsements in the general election and financial support
Jeannie Cue (R), District 2 ($2,500)
David Patrick (D), District 3 ($2,500)
Byron “Skip” Steele (R), District 6 ($2,500)
Tom Mansur (R), District 7 ($2,500)
Phil Lakin (R), District 8 ($2,500)
G.T. Bynum (R), District 9 ($2,500)
The PAC announced support for both candidates in District 4— Republican Blake Ewing and Democrat Ken Brune — but has made no additional financial contribution to either campaign.
“District 4 is fortunate to have two excellent candidates from which to choose, and we believe both are strong advocates for the city of Tulsa and the residents of District 4,” Page said. “Therefore, the TulsaBizPac board chose to neither endorse nor financially support either candidate.”
Candidates successful in the primary election (no challenger from other party)
Jack Henderson (D), District 1 (Nothing further at this time)
Karen Gilbert (R), District 5 (Nothing further at this time)
Click here to read more from the Tulsa World.
With your support and investment, TulsaBizPac will play an active role at the ballot box by backing candidates who back progress; candidates who not only say they want to move the city of Tulsa forward, but actually act to make it happen.
For more information or to contribute to the PACs, please contact Tulsa Metro Chamber Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Chris Benge (918) 560-0211 or email chrisbenge@tulsachamber.com.
Click here to download the form.
Contribution guidelines:
Individual contributions are limited to five thousand dollars $5,000 per calendar year.
Direct corporate and/or union contributions are prohibited.
Contributions to a political action committee are not tax deductible.
Mail the contribution to:
Chris Benge
Tulsa Metro Chamber
Two W. 2nd St.
Tulsa, OK 74103
InterWorks expands with Brookside location in Tulsa
Stillwater-based IT and business solutions provider InterWorks Inc. has opened an office in Tulsa, expanding upon a handful of other offices across the United States.
InterWorks recently celebrated their expansion to Tulsa with an open house event during which they unveiled a newly-renovated office in Tulsa’s Brookside district. The new InterWorks office is located on the second floor of the Consortium Shopping Center on the south side of 35th Street, off Peoria Avenue.
InterWorks CEO and President Behfar Jahanshahi said the move to Tulsa was perfect fit for the firm. He noted that there is a large client base and a highly-skilled pool of employee candidates.
“For us, we view Tulsa as a booming market,” he said. “ The potential is tremendous.”
While InterWorks has about a dozen employees at its Tulsa office, that number could double in the future.
Tulsa Metro Chamber President and CEO Mike Neal said he welcomes this new addition to Tulsa’s technology sector, saying that: “We are pleased that this growing firm has chosen to expand into the Tulsa area. We are confident that their new location in our city will serve as a catalyst to their continued success.”
Representative Dan Sullivan appointed to GRDA post
The Tulsa Metro Chamber congratulates Rep. Dan Sullivan on being named the CEO of the Grand River Dam Authority (GRDA).
Rep. Sullivan, a native Tulsan, has served in the Oklahoma House representing District 71 since 2004, and last year was awarded the 2010 Legislator of the Year by the group Oklahomans for Responsible Government. During his tenure in the legislature, Rep. Sullivan was a strong supporter of lawsuit and worker's compensation reform. Last year he worked with Senate leadership to craft the most comprehensive lawsuit and workers compensation reform the state has seen in years.
Rep. Sullivan championed issues supporting businesses and economic development throughout his career in the legislature. In 2007 he carried the bill authorizing the Arkansas River Bond, making available $25 million for Arkansas River improvements. Rep. Sullivan was also the House author of Senate Bill 909, which assisted Tulsa’s Holly Corporation through the state’s Quality Jobs Program. Holly Corporation purchased the Sun Refinery, saving it from closure, and purchased the Sinclair Refinery as well, saving hundreds of jobs in the Tulsa area.
We wish Rep. Sullivan the best as he begins a new journey with GRDA.
Health Care forum highlights Health Research in Tulsa
Tulsa area organizations committed to establishing the region as a cluster for health care research participated in a recent health care forum. The Laureate Institute for Brain Research, Tulsa Area Bioscience Education and Research Consortium and the University of Oklahoma School of Community Medicine provided a map for their future plans in health care research.
The Tulsa Area Bioscience Education and Research Consortium was founded in 2009 in Tulsa.
Their mission is to develop bioscience research in Tulsa through multidisciplinary and collaborative approaches to undergraduate and graduate education and technical training, and to position Tulsa and surrounding areas to be a leader in bioscience education, training, research and innovation by utilizing assets of all area institutions of higher education.
The University of Oklahoma School of Community Medicine outlined its strategic plan for the next five years. Goals include advancing the knowledge and technology of community medicine through trans-disciplinary research and innovation teamwork, conducting action-oriented, community-based research and disseminating new knowledge and technology innovations in community medicine.
For more information contact Susan Harris, vice-president of healthcare, education and workforce for the Tulsa Metro Chamber, at susanharris@tulsachamber.com.
Oklahoma Governor's Conference on Small Business brings small businesses statewide together in Tulsa 
The Tulsa Metro Chamber’s small business council and small business owners from across the state attended the “Governor’s Conference on Small Business” Oct. 13-14 at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino-Tulsa, I-44 Exit 240.
The Tulsa Metro Chamber was a sponsor and community partner for the event, which attracted more than 500 attendees.
Highlights included remarks from Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin. The conference featured national speakers, educational workshops, access to the state's business resources and leadership, a golf tournament and unprecedented networking opportunities.
ODOT adds 49 Tulsa County bridges to the eight-year transportation plan
Last week, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) announced a list of 126 bridges across the state that would be fixed under the eight-year funded transportation plan. Forty-nine of the 126 bridges are in Tulsa County.
Gov. Mary Fallin and state transportation officials have developed plans that Fallin says will dramatically reduce the number of deficient highway bridges in the state.
"The Tulsa Metro Chamber supports Governor Fallin's plan to initiate a long range solution to revitalize Oklahoma's structurally deficient bridges," said Mike Neal, president and CEO of the Tulsa Metro Chamber.
Click here to view the list of bridges in Tulsa County.
This week's top prioritiesExecutive Office
• Hosting the Leadership Retreat & Board Meeting
• Presenting at the City of Tulsa’s Economic Development Commission monthly meeting
• Hosting small group City Councilor’s luncheon
Economic Development
• Attend Brady Fairfield Groundbreaking
• Participate in two Tulsa Area Partnership company recruiting calls
• Attend Lunch Meeting with Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance Staff and ED Staff
Downtown Development
• Participating in GLOW Task Force meeting regarding downtown holiday lighting.
• Speaking at the Brady Fairfield groundbreaking.
Small Business
• City of Tulsa Entrepreneurship meeting, Oct 20th
• Meeting with higher education partners regarding opportunities for grant funding
• Quarterly meeting with resource partners in Manufacturing Alliance
Education and Workforce
• Hosting Partners in Education forum
• Hosting Employer Workforce Outlook conference
• Attending the Leadership Retreat & Board Meeting
TYPros
• Finalizing planning for next now art show
• Working on the remodel and business plan for The Forge
• Hosting leadership team at Oktoberfest corporate night
Government Affairs
• Attending Broken Arrow Chamber of Commerce Congressional Forum with John Sullivan (10/19)
• Presentation to the Tax Reform Task Force (10/20)
• Presentation to the Small Business Council on Legislative Updates and the OneVoice Agenda (10/21)
Communications and Marketing
• Attending Leadership Retreat and Board Meeting
• Planning October/November events
• Planning Intercity Visit recap materials
Chamber welcomes new businessesEach month the Tulsa Metro Chamber's Hospitality Club welcomes new businesses and new Chamber members to the community by assisting with ribbon cuttings and groundbreaking announcements.
New members
Advantage Graphics
Benjamin Gerkin, DDS
Calvary Construction, Inc.
Complete Medical Equipment
Green Beetle, LLC
IHOP
K12, Inc.
Mattia Wealth Management, LLC
OPUBCO Communications Group
PM Tulsa LLC d/b/a Paul Mitchell The School Tulsa
Stretch Drive Media, LLC
Synergy Holistic Health, LLC
T. L. Carey M.D. & Associates
Time Line Results, LLC
Trace Drilling, LLC
Tucker's Green Country Electric
Unishippers
Ribbon cuttings
Interworks Inc.
Staci Bejcek, Director of Operations
3509 S. Peoria, Suite 250
Tulsa, OK 74105
Phone: 918.948.9410
www.interworks.com
Bank of Oklahoma- Brookside Branch
Marilyn O’Leary- Branch Manager
3237 S. Peoria Ave.
Tulsa, OK 74105
Phone: 918.746.7420
www.bok.com
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