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International company establishes North American headquarters in Tulsa
Borets-Weatherford, a global provider specializing in the engineering, manufacture, sales and service of Electric Submersible Pump (ESP) systems primarily for the oil and gas industry, announced today at a press conference hosted by the Tulsa Metro Chamber it will establish its North American headquarters, and a research and development, engineering and training facility in Tulsa. The Borets-Weatherford North America Technology and Training Center will also serve as administrative headquarters, a product distribution center and house limited manufacturing operations.
Borets-Weatherford, an Oklahoma Quality Jobs Program participant, purchased the former Ramsey Winch facility at 1600 N. Garnett Rd., with plans to make a significant capital investment in upgrades in 2010 and 2011. This capital investment, along with the 26 current employees, supports a $52 million economic impact in the Tulsa region. Borets-Weatherford will consider different options for the available shop space and could employ up to 125 individuals in the Tulsa area in the next two to three years. Once filled, these 125 jobs support an additional 244 indirect jobs and an annual economic impact of $103.5 million on the Tulsa region.
“Every new company established in our region, each new job created and every dollar spent in capital investment improves our economic prosperity and enhances our community,” said Mike Neal, the Chamber’s president and CEO. “Companies like Borets-Weatherford can choose any city in the world for relocation, and the Chamber and our economic development partners work diligently to ensure companies know the Tulsa region is where business grows.”
Borets-Weatherford opened in a temporary location in Tulsa in 2009 with plans for considerable growth. The company moved into its new facility in August 2010. Raymond Standridge, vice president of North American operations for Borets-Weatherford, said the company chose the Tulsa region for several reasons, including Oklahoma being the birthplace of ESP technology.
“We are truly excited about establishing a state-of-the-art facility in Tulsa, which offers us a readily available professional workforce and excellent university and technology center educational programs,” Standridge said. “Additionally, the Oklahoma Quality Jobs Program incentive made it very attractive to establish and expand a Borets operation in Tulsa.”
Through the Chamber’s economic development plan, Tulsa’s Future, the Chamber attracts new businesses to the region, and assists with expansion opportunities, workforce attraction and advocacy for pro-business legislation.
Chamber calls on members to contact Congress
The Tulsa Metro Chamber is encouraging all members to contact Congress and add their name to a letter to the Hill to support extending the 2001/2003 tax cuts and business tax provisions.
“It is critical that these tax cuts be extended,” said Tulsa Metro Chamber President and CEO Mike Neal. “Extending the expiring 2001 and 2003 tax cuts would, in one bold stroke, boost investor, business, and consumer confidence by taking the uncertainty of tax policy off the table.”
If not prevented, Americans will face one of the biggest tax hikes in history on January 1, 2011. Marginal tax rates will increase for every taxpayer, the capital gains rate will climb 33 percent and dividend rates could jump by as much as 164 percent.
Additionally, tax provisions - such as the R&D credit and active financing exception - have expired. An extension of these provisions is paramount to bringing more certainty to business owners and encouraging investment.
Contact Congress to add your organization to the business community's letter to the Hill in support of extending the 2001/2003 tax cuts and business tax provisions.
NCAA tickets make great holiday gift
For the sports fan in your life, consider a gift of tickets to the 2011 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship, 2nd & 3rd Rounds at the BOK Center being played Friday, March 18 and Sunday, March 20, 2011.
Tickets are $237 each and are good for a reserved seat for six games played in three sessions. Each ticket is an all-session ticket. No single-session tickets are being offered for sale at this time and it is anticipated that this event could sell out on the basis of the all-session ticket.
Tickets are available for purchase online at NCAA.com/mbbtickets.
“Tulsa’s selection as a host site for the NCAA tournament and March Madness is a huge win for our community and rare opportunity for local citizens and those from the surrounding areas to see the action live and in person," said Ray Hoyt, executive director of the Tulsa Sports Commission. "The event will showcase Tulsa and the BOK Center to a national audience and brings Tulsa another step closer to attracting more events of this caliber."
Chamber seeking member and partner input
As part of the Tulsa Metro Chamber’s participation in the National Talent Dividend Network, through CEOs for Cities, the Chamber is working to increase the college attainment rate by one percentage point for the Tulsa region. These 5,900 additional college graduates would create an additional $646 million dollars annually for the region’s economy.
Your input is needed. A targeted survey was created to identify existing resources and programs; gaps in the education pipeline, student services and employee training; successful programs or models that may be replicable; and potential partners with like-minded programs or efforts.
Take the survey
To participate, click on the link below that most accurately describes you or your industry.
Business and industry (executives, management, HR, recruiters, supervisors, hiring manager)
Community partner / agency
Educational institution
Chamber Choice offers affordable insurance for small businesses
The Tulsa Metro Chamber partners with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma to provide more affordable insurance to small businesses as a member benefit.
Chamber Choice is available to members with two to 50 employees.
Benefits include:
o No medical underwriting
o BlueOptions PPO
o Blue Optimize PPO (new this year)
o BlueLincs HMO
o Prescription drug coverage
o Network availability in all 50 states
o Dental coverage available
o Group Term Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment and disability coverage available
o Qualified Insure Oklahoma health plans
Today, nearly 700 employers are enrolled in the Chamber Choice plan covering more than 4,000 individuals.
Click here to download the 2010 Chamber Choice brochure.
To find out more about Chamber Choice, contact your Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma representative or call (918) 551-3385 or visit http://
What we’re working on:Executive
• Attending Tulsa’s Future II CEO meetings.
• Speaking at Borets Weatherford Press Conference.
• Meeting with Dr. Joann Haysbert of Langston University and CEOs.
• Having dinner with BMX executives.
• Presenting to the Oklahoma City Rotary with Roy Williams, president and CEO of the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber.
• Interviewing a candidate for the VisitTulsa senior vice president position.
• Hosting select meetings with Tulsa legislators.
• Attending the Downtown Coordinating Council meeting.
• Attending the Economic Outlook Conference.
• Attending the management team retreat.
• Attending the Oklahoma Business Roundtable Annual Dinner.
• Attending the What’s Next follow-up meeting.
• Meeting with Commissioner Karen Keith.
• Attending the Oklahoma Academy Board Meeting and selecting officers.
Membership
• Hosting Hampton Roads, Va., Chamber of Commerce to discuss Resource Campaign, membership and TYPros.
• Updating strategic plans and work plans for 2011.
• Completing Certified Chamber Executive application.
Economic Development
• Participating in Tulsa’s Future II calls and events.
• Attending a local economic development project team conference.
• Attending the Tulsa Metro Chamber Economic Outlook Conference.
• Preparing for consultant event in Tulsa in March 2011.
• Preparing for the Oklahoma Department of Commerce familiarization tour in spring 2011.
• Working with the publisher of Area Development for its Energy Consultant’s Forum in spring 2011.
• Business Retention and Expansion visits to area existing companies.
• Meeting the Hampton Roads, Va., Chamber of Commerce discuss launching a successful business retention and expansion program.
• Attending the Downtown Coordinating Council meeting.
• Submitting Tulsa-area companies for the U.S. Chamber’s Small Business Summit Awards.
VisitTulsa
• Making National Education Association sales call.
• Attending the Oklahoma Center for Community and Justice New Leadership Roundtable meeting.
• Preparing to welcome the Tulsa Farm Show to Expo Square December 8-11.
Education and Workforce
• Meeting to discuss networking and marketing in Tulsa.
• Meet with an area employer about social media and recruiting.
• Meeting about the TCC/McLain Initiative/Sustainable Tulsa partnership and iLead program at UPS.
• Identifying a facilitator to map project for McLain Initiative.
• Networking and recruiting assistance for local businesses.
Tulsa Sports Commission
• Managing BMX post-event operations with the event owners.
• Speaking to the OSU Sports Management Club in Stillwater.
• Activating marketing plans for 2011 NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship .
Marketing and Communications
• Editing 2011 Community Profile and Membership Directory.
• Coordinating shoots for new Chamber spot.
• Drafting copy for annual publications.
• Working with a travel writer on a story about Tulsa’s art deco.
• Drafting editorial copy for SportsEvents 2011 Planner’s Guide.
• Finalizing details for Thursday’s Economic Outlook Conference.
• Planning State of the State event.
• Assisting with banquets, receptions and breakfast meetings.
• Submitting Tulsa-area economic development projects for recognition in a national publication.
• Beginning articles for the Chamber’s 2010 Annual Report.
• Completing the November Tulsa’s Future e-newsletter.
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