|
Tulsa's Limco Airepair announces plans to expand workforce
The Tulsa Metro Chamber hosted a press conference Dec. 16 at which Limco Airepair Inc., a leading name in heat transfer manufacturing and repair in the aerospace industry, announced plans to expand its workforce in Tulsa, adding 150 or more new jobs that will have a significant economic impact on the Tulsa metro area.
Limco Airepair’s operations in Tulsa began more than 15 years ago. The company includes approximately 180 employees, including administration, engineering, support and technicians. Their facilities include an engineering department as well as manufacturing and quality control departments. Limco serves commercial and military aerospace sectors in engineering, support, testing and manufacturing. The firm manufactures and repairs a variety of heat transfer equipment, including heat exchangers, oil coolers, condensers and more.
“We are very pleased that Limco Airepair is continuing its commitment to the Tulsa region and that they are growing their workforce,” said Mike Neal, president and the CEO of Tulsa Metro Chamber. “This is great news for the company and for our region, and we look forward to many more years of continued partnership and success with this tremendous corporate citizen.”
Tulsa Mayor Dewey Bartlett also applauded Limco for their job creation plans. He noted that the Tulsa area is home to a highly-skilled workforce with the specialized talents required for the work performed by a company such as Limco.
Tulsa’s Future Investor Forum features guest speaker Del Boyette
Del Boyette, principal for Boyette Strategic Advisors, was a guest speaker at last week’s Tulsa’s Future Investor Forum, held at the Tulsa Metro Chamber offices.
Boyette , who leads Boyette Strategic Advisors, an economic development and public policy consulting firm, touted the Chamber’s many successes in economic development, including the effectiveness and expansion of its Tulsa’s Young Professionals program.
The forum featured updates on Chamber programs, including a quarterly economic development update, an update on the OneVoice agenda, TYPros, Workforce and other programs.
Economic Outlook Conference provides forecast for state, local economies
The Economic Outlook Conference, presented Dec. 16 by the Tulsa Metro Chamber and the Spears School of Business at Oklahoma State University, attracted an audience of more than 700 people who gathered to hear a collection of dynamic speakers present a local and statewide economic forecast for the coming year.
The conference featured local and state economic forecasts, as well as a blueprint for economic development. The keynote speaker was Jim Huntzinger, executive vice president and chief investment officer for Bank of Oklahoma. Also presenting at the event was Del Boyette, principal for Boyette Strategic Advisors. He provided a discussion surrounding blueprints for economic development. In addition, Tulsa Metro Chamber Economist Bob Ball provided a local economic forecast and analysis.
Ball said: “The Tulsa-area economy has consistently grown throughout 2011 and will continue strong growth in 2012 with employment growth of 2.2 percent, up from 1.8 percent in 2011. Personal income will continue steady growth of 5.5 percent in 2012. Strong growth is expected in healthcare, aerospace, manufacturing and professional services will lead the growth in Tulsa.”
To see the speakers powerpoint presentations click on the links below.
Jim Huntzinger
Chief Investment Officer | BOK Financial Corporation
Bob Ball
Economist, Economic Research Manager, Tulsa Metro Chamber
Dan Rickman
OSU Regents Professor of Economics and
Oklahoma Gas and Electric Services Chair in Regional Economic Analysis
Tulsa legislative delegation preview 2012 OneVoice Agenda
Volunteer leaders and Chamber staff met with Tulsa’s legislative delegation to brief them on the Tulsa region's 2012 OneVoice Agenda to ensure Tulsa's needs are not forgotten once the legislative session begins.
Chamber leaders and the organization's contract lobbyists have also met personally with several of Oklahoma’s new leaders in both the House and Senate. The meetings have included discussion of OneVoice agenda items and other legislative issues important to Tulsans along with issues of primary concern for legislators in the upcoming session.
"It is important for us to build relationships and explain the OneVoice process and need for it in our region to our elected officials," said Mike Neal, president and CEO of the Tulsa Metro Chamber. "We have been received with great enthusiasm, and our elected members seem excited and ready to work with the Tulsa region."
Denise Reid featured in Tulsa World Q&A piece about employment issues
The Tulsa World recently interviewed Denise Reid, director of talent strategies and recruitment with the Tulsa Metro Chamber, for a Q&A session.
Reid told the newspaper that skills training and networking are key for job seekers. She also noted that the Tulsa area’s economy is performing above the national average and that companies are seeking qualified new hires, especially in our key employment sectors.
“Tulsa's economy is much better than most cities our size,” Reid said. “We have experienced unemployment but not at the same levels in cities with similar populations.”
To read the Tulsa World article, click here.
City of Tulsa to host neighborhood events to gather citizen feedback
Mayor Dewey Bartlett and the Tulsa City Council are bringing City Hall to Tulsa’s neighborhoods.
Beginning Jan. 10, 2012, and continuing through May, the mayor and council will host City Hall In Your Neighborhood events in each of Tulsa’s nine city council districts.
At the meeting, Tulsans can talk with the mayor, their district’s council representative and city department staff to ask questions and receive information on city government services. Customer Care Center and Working in Neighborhood representatives will also be on hand to take reports or problems and concerns and generate service orders on the spot.
Each City Hall In Your Neighborhood event begins at 5:30 p.m.
• Dist 1 – Tuesday, January 10th at Rudisill Regional Library Ancestral Hall (1520 N Hartford Ave)
• Dist 2 – Monday, February 20th at ORU Mabee Center, Conference and Banquet Center (7777 S Lewis Ave)
• Dist 3 – Monday, March 5th at McClure Park Recreation Center (7449 E 7th St)
• Dist 4 – Monday, February 6th at Central Library, Aaronson Auditorium (400 Civic Center)
• Dist 5 – Tuesday, January 24th at Hale Jr. High Auditorium (2177 S 67th E Ave)
• Dist 6 – Monday, May 14th at Martin Regional Library (2601 S Garnett Rd)
• Dist 7 – Monday, March 26th at Hardesty Regional Library, Frossard Auditorium (8316 E 93rd St)
• Dist 8 – Tuesday, April 24th at Peggy V. Helmerich Library (5131 E 91st St)
• Dist 9 – Monday, April 30th at Whiteside Park Community Center (4009 S Pittsburgh Ave)
Education forum highlights experiences of teachers
The Tulsa Metro Chamber held an education forum, hosted by OSU-Tulsa, showcasing the feature-length documentary American Teacher to the Tulsa community. The film, narrated by Academy Award-winner Matt Damon, chronicles the stories of four teachers who live and work in disparate urban and rural areas of the country. It tells the deeper story of the teaching profession in America today and shows the experience of teachers as they recognize the importance of what they do, and how much they love their jobs, but contemplate whether they can afford to teach.
During a panel discussion immediately following the film, teachers in the audience affirmed the similarities between their lives and the stories being depicted in the movie. Some described their pay as being so low they are forced to take second and third jobs.
“This film reinforces the fact that our teachers teach out of dedication,” said Susan Harris, senior vice president of education and workforce for the Chamber. “If we want to recruit the best and brightest into the profession, we have to improve the pay scale here in Oklahoma and across the nation.”
TYPros set to present check to 2011 community partner, Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma
Tulsa’s Young Professionals will present its 2011 community partner, the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma, with funds raised over the year through various programs and events.
TYPros designates a local organization as community partner each year. During the year, TYPros works to support the organization in any way, offering volunteers, raising funds, helping to raise awareness and more.
This year, TYPros helped raise over $15,000 for CFBEO through events like Tulsa Big Wheel, TYPros’ annual fundraiser, and regular donations at Pub Club events. TYPros also held crew challenges to encourage crews to make food donations.
A press conference will be held tomorrow, Dec. 20, at 10 a.m. After the check presentation, TYPros will announce its 2012 community partner.
Nominations open for 2012 Crystal Star Small Business Awards
The nomination process for the Crystal Star Small Business Awards for 2012 has begun, and we need your help to find the rising stars of Tulsa’s small business community.
Each year, Tulsa Metro Chamber's Small Business Awards honor the best and brightest of small business in the Tulsa area. Business members are invited to nominate an esteemed colleague to receive recognition for his or her business efforts. The awards consist of 10 categories.
All nominees must be Chamber members and in business a minimum of three years. All nominations will be considered and reviewed by the Small Business Awards Committee to verify nominees meet award criteria. Along with Tulsa-area recognition, winners are nominated for state-level awards with a chance to proceed to regional or national awards. Nominations will close on Jan. 27, so please submit nominations as soon as possible. The awards will be presented at the Chamber’s annual awards luncheon.
For more, or to nominate now, click here.
For information, contact Annette Bowles at 918.560.0235 or annettebowles@tulsachamber.com
What We’re Working On Executive Offices:
• Attending Tulsa Sports Commission Executive Committee meeting
• Hosting Chamber Leadership dinner with Senator Clark Jolly, Chairman of Senate Appropriations Committee
• Attending City of Tulsa Economic Development Commission meeting
New Business Development:
• Tour available manufacturing facility
• Continue Lead Development Calls
• Work on strategy for consultant/company meetings
Existing Business Development:
• Meeting with local company regarding Governor’s European Trade Mission 2012
• Meeting with company to submit their Quality Jobs Program application
• Working on end of year Business Retention & Expansion report
Downtown Development:
• Meeting with Government Affairs team and historic building owners regarding retention of historic tax credits.
Small Business:
• Attending US Chamber for Organization Management Winter Institute’s first year orientation
• Let’s Do Business publication/content updates.
• Finalizing 2012 goals for the Small Business Council
Tulsa Sports Commission
• Multiple event bids are being prepared
• Developing strategic initiatives
• Scheduling travel to NSCAA and NCAA conventions in early January
Tulsa’s Young Professionals
• Meeting with Tulsa County Library about future partnerships
• Hosting press conference for community partners
• Planning events for new year
Government Affairs
• Planning January and February legislative events
• Finalizing endorsements of the OneVoice Legislative Agenda
• Attending the final meeting of the State Task Force on Tax Credits and Economic Incentives
VisitTulsa
• Staff training and troubleshooting new CRM system
• Preparing for Event Services Professionals Association education conference
• Working with the committee to finalize the NYE Ball Drop
Education/Workforce
• Mayor’s Mentoring Breakfast
• Follow-up efforts to manufacturer’s meeting re: training funding
• Securing support for research into when Tulsa kids make decision about dropping out
Communications
• Planning for Annual Meeting Jan. 10
• Developing December/January Chamber Report
• Holding press conference to TYPros community partner announcements Dec. 20
Chamber welcomes new businesses
Each 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:
Fulcrum Mobile
Laborers International Union of North America
Oklahoma Farm Bureau
Quality Control Management
Talmadge Powell Creative, LLC
Truman B. Rucker, P. C.
Ribbon Cuttings:
Melia Advisory Group
Greg Melia, President
5424 S. Memorial Drive, Building E
Tulsa, OK 74145
Phone: 918.7794.9290
www.meliaadvisorygroup.com
Chinowth & Cohen Realtors
Sheryl Chinowth, CEO
3912 E. 91st
Tulsa, OK
Phone: 918.392.0900
www.cctulsa.com
London Pavement
Jeffrey Cook, President
427 S. Boston Avenue
Tulsa, OK 74103
Phone: 918.295.0002
Mattress Firm
Michael Yelich, Managing Partner
9404 E. 71st Street
Tulsa, OK
Phone: 918.461.9510
www.mattressfirm.com
|
|
|
