Tulsa Metro Chamber :: Newsletter Archive

02.28.11
IN THIS ISSUE Chamber members invited to Joint Legislative Reception Officials join Chamber and ODOT for opening of inner dispersal loop Gov. Mary Fallin testifies on Oklahoma roads during field hearing Chamber continues to monitor legislative issues SourceLink assists area entrepreneurs The program’s website offers a calendar of area entrepreneurial education opportunities. Chamber seeks volunteers for college preparation program What we’re working on Chamber welcomes new businesses		PRESENTING SPONSORS

Chamber members invited to Joint Legislative Reception

The Tulsa Metro Chamber will lead a group of Chamber volunteer leaders and members to Oklahoma City Wednesday for a Joint Legislative Reception from 5 – 7 p.m. at Remington Park in Oklahoma City.

This is the only event hosted jointly by the Tulsa and Oklahoma City chambers and provides an excellent opportunity to converse with elected officials on pro-business legislation most of which is outlined in the Tulsa and Oklahoma City Joint Legislative Agenda, which can be found here.

There is still time to register to attend this private event with Chamber leaders, volunteers and elected officials, but interested persons must register by tomorrow at noon. To register, please contact Jessica Lowe-Betts at jessicalowe-betts@tulsachamber.com or 918.560.0206.

Officials join Chamber and ODOT for opening of inner dispersal loop

The chair of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, U.S. Rep. John Mica, R-Fla., and Gov. Mary Fallin joined representatives with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation and the Tulsa Metro Chamber to officially open the final section of the interstate rehabilitation project of Tulsa's inner dispersal loop at a news conference last Thursday, Feb. 24.

Joining Mica and Fallin, included U.S. Rep. John Sullivan, U.S. Rep. James Duncan, R-Tenn., and Federal Highway Assistant Administrator Ivan Marrero to ceremoniously mark the end of the project, which is one of the nation's single largest recipients of stimulus. Work began in June 2009 on the $75 million project to replace all the pavement and more than 40 bridge decks on the north and west legs of the IDL.

Additional speakers included Mayor Dewey Barlett, Transportation Commissioner Pete Regan, Oklahoma Sec. of Transportation Gary Ridley, Manhattan Road and Bridge Sr. Vice President Mike Webb, and Chamber President and CEO Mike Neal.

The IDL is a vital transportation link surrounding downtown Tulsa, and includes portions of I-244, I-44, US-75, US-64 and SH-51. More than 65,000 vehicles travel the IDL each day. As part of the project, entire legs of the IDL were closed to traffic for months at a time to help expedite the pavement removal and replacement.

Crews from Manhattan Road & Bridge Co. and Sherwood Construction Co. Inc. anticipate overall completion of the project in the next few weeks, as final work is completed on this corridor.

Gov. Mary Fallin testifies on Oklahoma roads during field hearing

At the invitation of Gov. Mary Fallin, U.S. Rep. John Mica, R-Fla., chair of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, attended a congressional field hearing on transportation infrastructure in Oklahoma last week. According to an article in The Oklahoman, Gov. Fallin, state leaders and transportation stakeholders took the opportunity to voice concerns and help shape a roads bill being drafted in the U.S. House of Representatives.

“Gov. Fallin’s remaining connection and relationships to the U.S. House of Representatives and key congressional leaders is critical to the Chamber’s federal priority to support passage of the federal reauthorization bill to fund roads and bridges,” said Mike Neal, Chamber president and CEO.

Click here to read the full story.

Chamber continues to monitor legislative issues

Members and volunteers of the Tulsa Metro Chamber leadership team are committed to monitoring legislative issues throughout the session by staying in constant communication with representatives and elected officials.

The first of the session’s monthly Capitol lunches was held last week at the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame where updates on lawsuit reform, workers’ comp, intermodal transportation, SHOPP, incentive credits, “trial de novo,” road funding and the pension system were heard.

Elected officials in attendance and speaking included Dan Sullivan, Ron Peters, Skye McNiel, Weldon Watson, Fred Jordan, Jeff Hickman, Sue Tibbs, Mike McCullough and Pam Peterson among others.

The Chamber sends out a weekly Legislative Update during session with the latest news on bills and issues. To see last week’s click here.

SourceLink assists area entrepreneurs
The program’s website offers a calendar of area entrepreneurial education opportunities.

SourceLink, powered by the Tulsa Metro Chamber, is a referral program that links small and emerging business owners to area resource partners who provide a range of services to help businesses grow and prosper. Launched in Tulsa one year ago, the program is based on a model created by the Kauffman Foundation and is offered at no cost to entrepreneurs or participating resource partners.

In addition to referrals, small business owners can utilize the ClassLink section of SourceLink.com to find a schedule of entrepreneurial education opportunities, from business plan seminars to tax classes. Additionally, visitors to the site will find links to online resources, and a library of how-to guides, checklists and other valuable materials

Contact SourceLink
Hotline: 918.560.0275 or 888.4.BIZ.411
Online: SourceLinkTulsa.com
In person: SourceLink Business Center, 2 W. Second St., Suite 150

Chamber seeks volunteers for college preparation program

In 2004, the Tulsa Metro Chamber launched an intensive education program in partnership with Tulsa Public Schools called Oklahoma Scholars, which encourages eighth grade students to enroll in more rigorous courses in high school to better prepare them for post-secondary education and training. The Chamber has also partnered with Union Public Schools to offer the program to its eighth-grade students beginning this semester.

“Students who enroll in the courses defined in the Oklahoma Scholars program are better prepared for college and careers upon graduation,” said Susan Harris, the Chamber’s senior vice president of education and workforce. “We are pleased to form this new partnership with Union to ensure their students are able to benefit from this valuable program.”

Oklahoma Scholars enlists area business leaders to volunteer as classroom presenters. With the addition of Union Public Schools, the Chamber is seeking new volunteers. For more information about Oklahoma Scholars or to become a presenter in Tulsa or Union Public Schools, contact Heather Johnson at 918.560.0218 or heatherjohnson@tulsachamber.com.

What we’re working on

Executive
• Attending the US Chamber of Commerce Committee of 100 meeting in Orlando, Fla.
• Hosting the monthly meeting with Terry Simonson.
• Hosting the monthly meeting with Mike Bunney.
• Attending the State of Education with Kate Walsh.
• Tulsa’s Future II CEO calls.
• Attending the Small Business Council meeting.
• Co-hosting the Oklahoma City/Tulsa Joint Executive Committee Meeting and Legislative Reception in Oklahoma City.
• Meeting with Hispanic Chamber board members.
• Hosting small group board Luncheon.
• Attending the American Airlines/Tulsa Technology Center gift presentation.
• Attending OU-Tulsa Topping-Off ceremony for the construction of the Wayman Tisdale Specialty Health Clinic.

Economic Development
• Touring a local property.
• Hosting a site visit.
• The Small Business Council’s Let’s Do Business Committee is meeting to discuss next steps for the program.
• Hosting nomination committee meeting of the Small Business Council.
• Meeting with a manufacturer to learn more about potential for expansion.
• Speaking to the Corporation Commission on behalf of local business.
• Meeting with Oklahoma Department of Commerce regarding business retention and expansion program.
• Meeting with downtown retailer regarding communication initiatives
• Meeting to determine opportunities for redevelopment of a downtown building.
• Meeting regarding NCAA Tournament logistics for downtown Tulsa.
• Attending Downtown Coordinating Council meeting.
• Attending Deco District meeting.
• Downtown economic development update meeting with City of Tulsa.
• Attending Preservation Oklahoma workshop for Downtown Revitalization.
• Attending ceremony for AA MD80 to Tulsa Tech.
• Attending topping off ceremony for Tisdale Center.

Tulsa’s Young Professionals
• Organizing vendors and entertainment for Street Cred: Polishing the Pearl.
• Initial planning for June 18 fundraiser for Community Food Bank.
• Finalizing partnership to relocate The Forge tenants to One Technology Center.

Education and workforce
• Beginning Oklahoma Scholars presentations at TPS and Union.
• Working on March Partners In Education newsletter.
• Attending State of Education lunch.
• Attending GEAR Up Grant brainstorming meeting.
• Beginning preparations for Partners In Education Recognition Reception.
•Working on a grant.
• Meeting with Margaret Hudson to discuss career day programs.
• Diversity & Inclusion taskforce meeting.
• College Access Career Readiness Checkpoint meeting.

Government Affairs
• Monitoring state and federal legislation.
• Planning March-May legislative events.
• Attending State Chamber Legislative Affairs meeting.
• Attending annual State of Education event.
• Hosting Joint Oklahoma City/Tulsa executive committee meeting.
• Hosting Joint Oklahoma City/Tulsa Legislative Reception with Greater OKC Chamber Commerce.
• Attending American Airlines/Tulsa Technology Center event.
• Attending OU-Tulsa Topping-Off ceremony for the Wayman Tisdale Specialty Health Clinic.

Marketing and Communications
• Collecting follow-up information for travel writer.
• Helping host focus groups with Schnake Turnbo Frank PR.
• Co-hosting a press conference with Expo Square.
• Finalizing shuttle signage for NCAA Tournament.
• Finishing content for the TYPros relocation guide.
• Writing content for the downtown website.
• Beginning content for the Tulsa’s Future annual meeting collateral pieces.

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.

Eats 2 U
Angie Johnson, Owner
1318 S. Peoria
Tulsa, OK 74152
Phone: 918.576.6016
www.eats2u.info

IN THIS ISSUE

PRESENTING SPONSORS