IN THIS ISSUE

2014 ISSUE 3

Economic IndicatorsWhat Makes Us

America’s Hub p. 2

Upcoming EventsHoliday Pop-Up Shops in Midtown p. 7

Business NewsTulsa has Nation’s 4th-Largest Gain in Degree Attainment p. 3

Oklahoma Top Ten Best States for Business p. 3

Community NewsHelping Those in Need

This Holiday Season p. 1

Workforce NewsASCO Celebrates

Expands Stillwater

Manufacturing Lines p. 5

Main Street NewsMeet Our Staff: Larry

Lucas p. 6

Develop, Innovate, Prosper

As the holidays approach, many people look for ways to assist those in need. The Christmas Connection is a local non-profit dedicated to serving low income families and senior citizens in central Oklahoma. The organization provides clothing, toys, and gifts to families in need through their annual Christmas Shopping Days program. Thousands of families and senior citizens are expected to shop through the program this holiday season.

“Christmas Connection has served low income families in the community for 33 years,” said Lisa Harper, Executive Director of Christmas Connection. “It is only through the support and generosity of the community that Christmas Connection will bring Christmas to more than 1,000 families again this year.”

Senior citizens will have the opportunity to shop on Thursday, December 4th followed by Family Shopping on Tuesday, December 9th through Saturday, December 13. But the organization is still taking donations in order to meet needs.

To help fulfill these needs, many area

businesses and organizations are hosting collection sites for “H.U.G.S.” (hats, underwear, gloves and shoes), as well as, new, and gently used, coats and toys. Clothing items and coats are needed for children and adults in all sizes, from infant and toddler to 2XL.

Bank of Oklahoma will partner with FOX 25 to host their annual Toy Drive for Christmas Connection, December 1st through December 18th. New, unwrapped toys may be dropped off at any BOK location in the metro. Last year more than 2,450 children received new toys, coats, clothing, shoes, and books during Shopping Days. The numbers served are expected to be similar this year.  Clients are screened by partner agencies and referred to Christmas Connection to ensure the greatest needs are met. In addition to items for the children, all family members in the household will receive gently

Continued on page 4

Helping Those in Need This Holiday SeasonChristmas Connection spreads cheer and goodwill

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Oklahoma State of Success

Economic Indicators: What Makes Us AMERICA’S HUB

Seven airports offering commercial services.

Two international airports, 149 public-use airports in 128 cities.

12,000 miles of highway move 500 million tons per year

Two million tons of cargo are shipped per year from the Port of Catoosa

3,850 miles of rail ship 226 million tons per year

150 Miles of inland waterway

The map shows Oklahoma’sdirect tie to national rail accessthrough several providers.

BNSF

UPSP

CONRAIL

NORFOLF SOUTHERN

BNSF + UPSP LINES

Intercoastal Waterway

Oklahoma Interstate

Market Proximity

Tulsa Port of CatoosaPort 33

Port of Muskogee

1,000 Miles

500 Miles

The number of trains along some rail corridors is expected to double in the next 20 years

113,325 Miles of public roads

state for crude oil. Chesapeake Energy and Devon Energy are both fixtures in Oklahoma City. The business tax climate is one of the best in the country and employers also benefit from energy costs that are 26 percent below the national average. Oklahoma’s overall rank jumped four spots on an improved economic outlook.”

Oklahoma ranked No. 7 in Business Costs and No. 5 in Economic Climate. Pretty impressive, but it’s no surprise to us.

Read the full profile at: http://www.forbes.com/pictures/mli45elhjj/10-oklahoma-2/

Looking at 36 data points in six categories, Forbes released its annual “Best States for Business” rankings for the 9th year in a row.

Oklahoma has made it’s way into the coveted Top Ten, surpassing California, Illinois, Louisiana, and Delaware, among others.

Here’s what Forbes had to say about this great state of success: “Thanks in part to a strong energy sector, Oklahoma’s economy has been booming. Oklahoma currently ranks as the fourth biggest producer of natural gas and is the fifth biggest

Oklahoma Top 10 Best States for Business

Business News

“Our region, its educational institutions and stakeholders at all levels have clearly united behind a

goal of improving quality of life and economic prosperity...”

- Brian Paschal, Senior VP Tulsa Regional Chamber

The number of Tulsa-area residents who earned associate’s and bachelor’s degrees from local institutions increased 15.9 percent between 2010 and 2013 — the 4th-largest increase among the 57 metropolitan areas that participated in the three-year national Talent Dividend contest.

Organized by CEOs for Cities, the contest encouraged participating metropolitan areas to increase postsecondary degree attainment over three years by lowering dropout rates, boosting college and other post-secondary enrollment rates and increasing the number of returning college students — especially adult learners.

The increase in the Tulsa region surpassed all but Akron, Ohio; Portland, Ore.; and Omaha, Neb., and more than doubled the average increase of 7.9 percent for the 57 metro areas in the contest. Akron, as the winning city, will be awarded $1 million for a 20.2 percent increase.

“Regardless of where we placed nationally, we

knew Tulsa would come out of this a winner,” said Brian Paschal, Senior Vice President of the Tulsa Regional Chamber’s Education and Workforce Division. “Our region, its educational institutions and stakeholders at all

levels have clearly united behind a goal of improving quality of life and economic prosperity through a more robust higher education system. Today, more of our residents than ever are fulfilling their career and life aspirations through education.”

Local involvement in the Talent Dividend contest led to the creation of Finish for Greater Tulsa, a partnership between the Tulsa Regional Chamber and area higher education institutions, to challenge local adults to go back to school. The mission of this program is to increase total degree attainment in the Tulsa area by 1 percent — a prospect that would have an economic impact of about $646 million.

This, and other efforts to improve education in northeast Oklahoma, will continue under the Workforce Analysis Project, an initiative launched in 2014 to analyze the area’s workforce strengths and weaknesses and to develop a plan to improve job training opportunities for residents and keep the area’s economy competitive.

Tulsa has Nation’s 4th-Largest Gain in Degree Attainment Three-year increase recorded during Talent Dividend contest

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Community Development

Continued from page 1

Helping Those in Need This Holiday SeasonChristmas Connection spreads cheer and goodwill

“Everybody at some time or another needs a helping hand and

that’s what we are here for” – Jim Sconzo Executive Director,

CAA of Oklahoma City.

used clothing, shoes, gift items, Christmas decorations, books and more. Volunteers serve as personal shoppers to assist the families through the store’s nine departments. At the Christmas Connection, those in need are treated with dignity and respect and enjoy personally selecting items for their family members.  There is never a charge to clients, although many families contribute one dollar per member to support the program for others in need. 

What began as a seasonal charity in 1981, Christmas Connection is now open year round providing assistance with school uniforms, school supplies, clothing, and household items. Primary programs include School Connections, Crisis Relief, General Shopping and the signature, Christmas Shopping Days program.  Christmas Connection recently received grants from Sarkeys Foundation and Cox to help them continue to make a positive impact in the community and improve the lives of those in need.

Christmas Connection plays a vital role in the human services network in Oklahoma County, which has a significant number of low-income residents. In 2012, Christmas Connection provided necessities to more than 9,000 children, adults and seniors through their various assistance programs.

VolunteerVolunteers are needed each afternoon during Christmas shopping days. Call Donna Robison, Program Director at 405-634-2006 or visit www.christmasconnection.org

DonateCollection sites for new, and gently used coats, new toys, and “H.U.G.S.” include Dollar General Stores, metro area Quik Print locations, and the Christmas Connection store at 5728 S. May.

Give a Gift! Give a child a winter coat or a new toy with the donation of $20, to Christmas Connection. New, unwrapped toys may be dropped off at any BOK location in the metro. 

Need Help?Please call 634-2006 for more details or referral information. 

Community Action Agency is celebrating 50 years of progress this year working in partnership with programs like Head Start, Weatherization and Economic Development. Community Action Partnership is made up of people who want to lend a helping hand.

Over the last year, 150,000 Oklahomans were helped with Community Action Agencies and over the last 50 years that number would climb into the millions. Countless lives have been helped by local communities providing the services their people need for self-sufficiency.

Community Action Agency Celebrates 50 Years of Progress The key to this national programs success is its involvement on a local and personal level with members

of each community.

“Everybody at some time or another needs a helping hand and that’s what we are here for” – Jim Sconzo Executive Director CAA of Oklahoma City

A video highlighting the history and importance of Community Action premiered during OKACAA’s 50th Anniversary conference last month. Watch it at: http://bit.ly/1xWgNEn

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Workforce News

State Unemployment Rates: In October, Oklahoma’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.5 percent, a drop of two-tenths of a percentage point from September. The U.S. unemployment rate improved by one-tenth of a percentage point to 5.8 percent for the month. Over the year, the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell by 1.1 percentage points. http://bit.ly/1yidzMH

ASCO, world leader in design and manufacturing in the aerospace industry, acquired an industrial facility in Stillwater two years ago and has now transformed it into a first rate aerospace facility.

The 715,000 square foot ASCO Aerospace USA facility in Stillwater is currently up and running, and is already manufacturing several wing and fuselage components of the 737,777 and 787 Boeing airplanes. Production in the new facility started January 2014 and first deliveries were made in April. Since then, ASCO Aerospace USA has already delivered 500 slat supports and 1700 flap carriages.

The factory currently employs 110 people and is still hiring. Positions include engineers, CNC machinists and operators, treatment operators, quality specialists, polishers and painters.

ASCO Aerospace USA is designed as a state-of-the-art, lean manufacturing facility, with all processes integrated in house: machining, heat and surface treatment and assembly of complex machined parts out of titanium, steel and aluminum. The plant is already AS9100 certified and obtained approvals from Boeing and NADCAP. In the first quarter of 2015 treatments and painting will also be certified.

“We are very proud of our achievements, there have been challenges, but the results are rewarding; we celebrate our 60th anniversary by focusing on the future, with expansion plans and responding to customer demands” said Christian Boas, CEO of the ASCO Group.Several current and potential clients are attracted by the fully integrated concept of ASCO Aerospace USA. Negotiations are underway with customers to secure more contracts that will lead to further expansion.

The evolution of the plant has been greatly achieved by ASCO employees. “The people have worked fiercely during the last two years to make the industrial site become a modern, state of the art working place. It is very rewarding to witness all these changes,” said Vicky Welvaert, HR Director of the ASCO Group.

ASCO Celebrates 60th Anniversary with Expansion of Stillwater Manufacturing Lines

The location of the plant in Stillwater, Oklahoma has proved convenient, with easy access to ASCO’s customers in the continent, and with an attractive workforce and training possibilities. “We have good contacts with the Meridian Technology Center to provide customized trainings for ASCO” said Jean Pierre Gielen, plant manager, ASCO Aerospace USA.

Additionally, the community has been able to benefit from having an aerospace company in the area. Currently, industrial engineering students from Oklahoma State University are examining production flow and processes of steel aerospace parts for their final study projects.

“The Oklahoma Department of Commerce, Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education, Oklahoma Workforce Development, Metafund, REI Oklahoma, US Bank, the City of Stillwater and the Stillwater Chamber of Commerce have been very helpful and effective at making this ASCO location a possibility,” said Trudo Motmans, Chairman of the ASCO Board of Directors.

ASCO celebrates its 60th global anniversary with a fully equipped and operational manufacturing unit strengthening its position as a preferred supplier to its customers in the Americas, and celebrates its second year in Oklahoma with a satisfactory and enriching interaction with the Stillwater community.

About ASCO: ASCO, incorporated in 1954, is a proven technology specialist and supply chain integrator in design, development, precision machining, processing, and certified assembly of complex high strength metallic aircraft components. Headquartered in Zaventem Belgium, ASCO has four manufacturing plants in Belgium, the United States, Canada and Germany.Today, the Asco Group employs 1,500 people. Its worldwide, 100% Aerospace customer base includes most aircraft manufacturers as wellas many related Tier-1 and Tier-2 suppliers.http://www.asco.be

Larry Lucas is the staff architect for the Oklahoma Main Street Program. Larry serves the State of Oklahoma promoting and sharing his architect skills in sustainable, preservation-based design.

Larry grew up on the historic Oklahoma Main Street of Poteau, where his family rehabilitated a historic building for the family business. Since then things have come full circle and he feels truly blessed to be helping the people of Oklahoma with both their businesses and their town’s cultural heritage.

In the world of architecture and design, Larry most enjoys existing structures and the aspects of historic preservations. “Existing properties create a wonderful assortment of opportunities and creative constraints,” said Larry. “They are also incredibly rich in embodied energy, that is, the actual energy expended and contained within the building.”

Being coined a “building hugger” suits him just fine. He has been well-acquainted with environmental stewardship since early childhood. Larry worked through all the ranks of Scouting from Tiger Cub through Eagle Scout with strong family support, and later gained his Bachelor of Architecture, with a focus on Sustainability, at the University of Oklahoma. He became a licensed Architect in the State of Oklahoma in 2012.

Larry loves working on special projects where multiple communities across the state work together in efforts to preserve and protect our beautiful and historic buildings.

If he isn’t working at his desk, or visiting a Main Street community, then you will probably find Larry with his wife, Erin. They are active in their local church and enjoy all sorts of outdoor activities. A favorite pastime, he has been an avid rock climber and mountaineer for more than 20 years and currently mentors at-risk youth through Rocktown’s Youth Mentoring Program.

NEW PIONEERA product of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce

EDITOR:Kimberly Hickerson, Project Manager

CONTRIBUTORS:Stefanie Appleton, Kristin Downes

PHOTO CREDITS:Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce, Christmas Connection

Oklahoma State of Success

Meet Our Staff

and Executive Director of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce. Secretary Parman was appointed by Governor Mary Fallin in October, 2013.

Larry V. Parman, Secretary of Commerce

Kimberly HickersonProject Manager - Communications900 N. Stiles Ave., Oklahoma City, OK 73104(405) 815-5240 kimberly_hickerson@OKcommerce.gov

issuu.com/newpioneerOK

FOR SUBMISSIONS AND STORY IDEAS CONTACT:

Larry Lucas, Architect at Main Street Services for Oklahoma Department of Commerce.

Phone: 405-815-5119Email: larry_lucas@okcommerce.gov

Upcoming Events & Important Dates

7

SPONSORED BY THE OKLAHOMA WEATHERIZATON HOUSING ADVISORY COUNCIL

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS1. Applicants are limited to high school seniors with a minimum grade point average of 3.0.

2. Applicants must be a direct relative (2nd degree) of an employee of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Oklahoma Department of Commerce (ODOC), Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency (OHFA), or a Community Action Agency (CAA).

3. Applicants must be planning to attend an accredited four-year college/university or an accredited junior college with plans to complete a degree.

AWARDA $1,000, one time scholarship will be awarded each year to one successful applicant based on a 500 word essay entitled:“THE IMPORTANCE OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR THE LOW INCOME.”Applicants will be judged on punctuation, grammar, style and content. Final award will be presented at the annual Housing and Energy Conference.

REQUEST FOR APPLICATION PACKS MAY BE MADE AT THE FOLLOWING ADDRESS: Ted Allen/David Walker ScholarshipATTN: John JonesKI BOIS Community Action Foundation, Inc.P.O. Box 727Stigler, OK 74462

STATE OFFICES CLOSED IN OBSERVANCE OF THE FOLLOWING STATE HOLIDAYS:

Wednesday & Thursday, Dec. 24 & 25, Christmas

Thursday, Jan. 1, New Year’s Day

Monday, Jan. 19, Martin Luther King Jr. Day

HOLIDAY CHARITYOKIE KARAOKE FUNDRAISER

Saturday, Dec. 13, 8:00 pm

The free event will be held at Fassler Hall (403 S Elgin Ave., Tulsa).

CharityOkie karaoke is a recurring fundraising event for the annual TYPros community partner. Proceeds this year go to the 2014 partner, the Tulsa Zoo. Come dressed in your tackiest sweater or casual holiday attire.

CharityOkie karaoke is one of Tulsa’s most entertaining fundraising events. Buy a “C-note” to “gong” singers off stage, or, if you enjoy the performance, vote for them to be named the night’s favorite singer. For more information visit: www.facebook.com/CharityOkie

TED ALLEN/DAVID WALKER SCHOLARSHIP Scholarship opportunity for high school seniors

DOWNTOWN IN DECEMBER PRESENTED BY DEVON

Thursday, Nov. 13 - Sunday, Feb. 1, 2015

Downtown in December, is a series of holiday events and attractions in the heart of Oklahoma City. It’s a one-of-a-kind winter experience that features ice skating, snow tube rides, afternoon visits with Santa Claus, a festive 5K and fun run, free water taxi excursions, and a 2-day winter market, all surrounded by twinkling holiday lights. Most events are free of charge and there is an open invitation for all to attend. For more information visit: downtownindecember.com

HOLIDAY POP-UP SHOPS

Friday, Nov. 28 - Sunday, Dec. 21,

The Holiday Pop-Up Shops in Midtown (10th and Hudson) Oklahoma City feature 35 local shops set up with holiday goods and gifts in geodesic domes. Accompanied by the Bishop John Carroll School Christmas Tree Lot. okcpopups.com

SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATIONNew Pioneer newsletter is published monthly by the Marketing and Communications Division of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce.

Subscriptions are free.

Note: E-subscribers receive the newsletter monthly in addition to educational opportunities and special announcements. Print subscribers will receive every other issue and do not receive special notifications. To assure you receive all announcements and updates, please sign up for the electronic subscription at

OKcommerce.gov/subscribe

900 N. Stiles Ave.Oklahoma City, OK 73104-324

(PRSRT STD)US POSTAGE PDOKLA. CITY, OKPERMIT NO.41

EDUCATION AND THE OKLAHOMA ECONOMYDecember 2, 2014 from 9:00 am to 12:00 pmMetro Tech, Springlake Campus, OKC

OSU economist Dr. Dan Rickman will be joined by other OSU economists and representatives from the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City and the Oklahoma Department of Commerce.

Included will be presentations on national and state economic conditions and prospects for the future focusing on education and, workforce. Deidre D. Myers, Deputy Secretary of Commerce for Workforce Development, Oklahoma Department of Commerce, will speak on Oklahoma’s Career Pathways.

Register onlinehttp://cepd.okstate.edu or call 1-866-678-3933 or 405-744-5208

2015 Oklahoma Economic Outlook Conference

or contact: Kimberly HickersonProject Manager - Communications900 N. Stiles Ave., Oklahoma City, OK 73104(405) 815-5240 kimberly_hickerson@OKcommerce.gov