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AT&T announces fleet of CNG vehicles
Oklahoma House Speaker Chris Benge and AT&T Oklahoma President Bryan Gonterman announced last week that AT&T plans to roll out a fleet of at least 30 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vehicles this year in Oklahoma in part because of recently approved tax incentives developed by Benge. The announcement was made at a press conference held at Tulsa Gas Technologies, a local manufacturer of CNG fueling equipment.
Benge said the AT&T announcement is the type of commitment from the business community he had hoped for when he developed the CNG plan.
“Using compressed natural gas as a local transportation fuel makes sense from an economic perspective, but will also make our country more energy independent,” said Benge in a press release. “The tax incentives put in place this legislative session are meant to serve as a catalyst to encourage additional alternative energy usage in our state. Oklahoma is poised to lead the way nationally in alternative-fuel vehicles, and this legislation is only the beginning in crafting a statewide energy plan that will utilize local energy assets to lessen our country’s dependence on volatile foreign oil....”
Passed this session, House Bill 1949 uses free market incentives to secure the state’s national role in the alternative energy market and extends a significant tax credit to offset the cost of converting a vehicle to run on compressed natural gas or other alternative fuels plus a $2,500 tax credit for installing home-fueling CNG stations.
“Because of these tax incentives as well as the high number of existing CNG fueling locations in the state and our goal of more fuel efficiency, we’re excited to be one of the first companies to make a serious commitment to CNG vehicles in Oklahoma,” Gonterman said.
Additional legislation, House Bill 1952, will expand the number of vehicles in Oklahoma running on alternative fuels like CNG and the number of publicly available fueling stations across the state.
"Tulsa once made a name for itself as the oil capital of the world," said Don Walker, Tulsa Metro Chamber’s chair-elect and president and CEO of Arvest Bank. "With announcements like AT&T and legislation like Speaker Benge has brought to Oklahoma, Tulsa has the potential to become the alternative energy capital of the world."
Chamber announces addition to economic development staff
The Chamber has named Danielle Runyan as business retention and expansion manager charged with coordinating the economic development division’s existing business development services and organizing the Chamber’s business retention and expansion (BRE) outreach program.
Runyan previously served as the client services manager for the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits. She graduated with honors from the University of Texas at Austin in 2007 where she earned a bachelor’s degree in public relations with a concentration in business.
Runyan began work at the Chamber on June 15.
TYPros Greenspeak series with Mayor Kathy Taylor
Date Correction
Tulsa’s Young Professionals will host The Honorable Kathy Taylor at the next discussion in the GreenSpeak series. As the city is taking steps to become more eco-friendly, Taylor will discuss city-wide sustainability efforts, plans and successes; how residents can help with the effort; and how being green impacts the attraction and retention of young professionals to the region.
GreenSpeak
Noon-1 p.m.
Wednesday, July 29
OU Schusterman Center,
Learning Center Room 231
4502 E. 41st St.
There is no cost to attend. Lunch is not provided; however, attendees are welcome to bring lunch. Click here to register.
The GreenSpeak series was created to educate young professionals and the Tulsa community about green and sustainability issues.
CVB hosts successful Wing Ding 31
The Tulsa Convention and Visitors Bureau attracted and helped host more than 8,000 motorcycle enthusiasts in Tulsa at the 31st annual Wing Ding over the Fourth of July holiday.
The annual gathering of the Gold Wing Road Riders Association is the world’s largest single-marquee social organization for owners and riders of Honda Gold Wing/Valkyrie motorcycles and brought an estimated economic impact of $7.8 million to the Tulsa region.
A full, four-day schedule of events and activities was held during the largest Gold Wing trade show in the world at Expo Square. Additionally, talented riders competed for trophies and honors in skill events and precision drill team maneuvers.
Approximately 800 Gold Wing riders paraded through Tulsa on July 4 following 15th Street from Expo Square to the west bank of the Arkansas River to the RiverWest Festival Park where they watched the fireworks show.
The group also held a blood drive for the Tulsa Chapter of the American Red Cross and a charity event with the proceeds benefiting the Ronald McDonald House of Tulsa.
The Tulsa Convention and Visitors Bureau works to attract and retain meetings and conventions to the Tulsa region for the benefit of the economy.
Read more about the event from local media news coverage:
Wing Dingers roll into town
Many take part in Wing Ding at Expo Square
Convention of bikers is a humdinger
Motorcycle fans will wing it for charity
Wing Ding returns to Tulsa
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.
Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market #3457
Bill Baumann, Store Manager
3116 S. Garnett
Tulsa, OK 74146
Phone: 622-7797
www.walmart.com
Mark Morley, CFP
Country Insurance & Financial Services
8282 S. Memorial Drive, Suite 304
Tulsa, OK 74133
Phone: 481.6900
www.countryfinancial.com
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