Chamber offices closed Monday, Dec. 26We hope you had a wonderful Christmas. As a reminder, the Tulsa Metro Chamber offices are closed today to allow staff more quality time with their families.
Gov. Fallin and Department of Commerce survey business leaders
Tulsa Metro Chamber economic development group representatives attended the launch of the Fallin for Business initiative in Oklahoma City Dec.1. Gov. Mary Fallin, the Department of Commerce and other partner organizations officially launched a unique survey to ask Oklahoma business leaders for their insight on challenges and issues in the state's current business climate.
Annette Bowles, executive director of the Tulsa Metro Chamber’s small business program, said she is encouraging small businesses to participate in the online survey.
“This is an important opportunity for our region’s small business leaders to offer insight that could potentially have a positive impact of our state’s business climate,” Bowles said. “The Chamber is pleased that Governor Fallin and the Oklahoma Department of Commerce are soliciting meaningful input from our business community.”
Billy Kulkin, chair-elect, Tulsa Metro Chamber Small Business Council, president and managing partner of Cubic, said: “It's a great thing when our government asks for input and insight as it relates to improving our small business climate. The data that is collected can be valuable if business owners are honest in their responses. It's a tough time right now, and if our leaders want to hear from us, we need to answer the governor's calling and take time to provide our insight.”
State officials are asking businesses to respond to an online survey designed to help improve the business climate. The online survey contains 44 questions and is expected to take up to 30 minutes to complete.
For more information, or to take the online survey, click here.
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
Clay Bird named economic development director for City of Tulsa
Clay Bird has been appointed economic development director for the City of Tulsa. Bird has been serving as the interim director.
“The Tulsa Metro Chamber congratulates Clay Bird on his appointment as economic development director, and we look forward to continuing to work with him on furthering the economic success of the Tulsa area,” said Mike Neal, president and CEO of the Tulsa Metro Chamber.
Tulsa Mayor Dewey Bartlett told the Tulsa World Bird “has a tremendous amount of experience in city government and has been involved in the development of the city from an economic development and job creation standpoint.”
Chambers of commerce oppose some proposed tax credit reforms
Leaders of the largest chambers of commerce in Oklahoma have sent a letter to state Rep. David Dank opposing several policy proposals outlined in the work of the state Task Force on State Tax Credits and Economic Incentives.
Dank, R-Oklahoma City, chaired the task force.
In the letter, the State Chamber, Oklahoma City Chamber and Tulsa Metro Chamber leadership said the six-month long study of the programs “has been an important and healthy undertaking for the well-being of the State of Oklahoma and its taxpayers.”
Read more from the CapitolBeatOK story
Chamber supports quality childcare
The Chamber supports quality early childhood programs in its strategic plan for education and workforce. Quality childcare is important to both employers and employees.
In the past two years, the majority of childcare centers in or near downtown Tulsa have closed. The Chamber is working with the Community Service Council of Greater Tulsa to determine if workers in or near downtown are experiencing difficulty in finding quality programs for their children.
There are some providers willing to expand or open programs, however they are studying probable enrollment numbers. Please share the short 5 minute survey below with employees.
Click here to take the survey.
What we’re working onGovernment Affairs
• Planning January and February legislative events
• Meeting with state legislators to discuss regional legislative priorities
• Speaking to Oklahoma State University’s Pension Management Class
Tulsa Sports Commission
• Working on Bill Connor’s Dinner
• Working on Golf Tournament
• Working on Strike Night
Education & Workforce
• Health Forum on OSU Medical Center January 31
• Bringing business applications into high school math classes
• Education Forum on training teachers for urban classrooms
Communications
• Planning for Annual Meeting Jan. 10
• Developing December/January Chamber Report
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
A Best Air & Heat, Inc.
Epoxy Films
Function Analytics llc dba intelliAd Media
Osage Nation Foundation
Planet Fitness
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