2015 ISSUE 4

Develop, Innovate, Prosper

IN THIS ISSUE

Business NewsDR2 Technology from UK Company Grows Oklahoma Jobs p. 8

Workforce NewsOklahoma’s Promise: Today’s Students, Tomorrow’s Workforce p. 3

Q&A with Marcie Mack of CareerTech p. 5

Community NewsBlack Chamber Annual Meeting and Awards Banquet p. 4

Meet Our Staff Darla Heller, NE Regional Development Specialist p. 6

Main Street NewsOklahoma Main Street Award Finalists p. 2

Upcoming EventsOklahoma Main Street Center Announces 2015 New Town Selection p. 7

Oklahoma Main Street Announces 2015 Award Finalists

p. 7 New Main Street

p. 4 Black Chamber Awards

p. 5 CareerTech Q&A Continued on page 2

The Oklahoma Main Street Center announced the finalists for 21 competitive awards. All finalists will be honored, and the winners announced, at the 26th annual Main Street Awards Banquet, May 5, at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City.

“These award entries showcase the creativity that abounds in each Main Street community toward increasing the revenue and promoting a positive image of each historic business district in the program,” said Linda Barnett, Oklahoma Main Street Center director. “Every year we say that it gets more competitive. This year is no exception. We are always excited to highlight these outstanding events, promotions, businesses and designs to the rest of the state.”

Each award category falls under one of the “four points” in the Main Street Approach – Organization, Promotion, Economic Restructuring and Design. Panels of outside judges for each point review the entries and determine the winners.

The Community of the Year Award will recognize the Main Street Community who led other towns by earning the most quality assurance points during the 2014 calendar year. The top 10 communities (in alphabetical order) include: Durant, El Reno, Enid, Guymon, Hobart, Newkirk, Perry, Prague, Pryor and Woodward. The top community will also be announced at the banquet.

In addition, the top Main Street program managers will be recognized at the banquet. Those making the top three this year include Kelly Tompkins, Main Street Enid, Inc.; Melyn Johnson, Main Street Guymon, Inc.; and Janet Fitz, Woodward Main Street.

The dinner and program will begin at 6:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased from your local Main Street Program for $38 if purchased before April 7, 2015. After that date tickets will be $48.

For more information about the Oklahoma Main Street Program, please call (405) 815-6552 or visit OKcommerce.gov/mainstreet

Oklahoma Main Street Award Finalists

ORGANIZATION:Premier Partner• Ada – East Central University• Hobart – General Tommy Franks

Leadership Institute and Museum• Okmulgee – Oklahoma State

University Institute of Technology

Best Community Education/Public Awareness• Claremore – #EmbracetheTrain• Collinsville – Turkey Tracker

Medallion Hunt• Pryor – 3rd Graders Go to Work

Best Volunteer Development Program • Durant – Durant High School

Service Learning Project• Hobart – Jr. Main Street Program• Newkirk – Leadership Class

Main Street Hero• Altus – Ken Fergeson• Okmulgee – Margaret Hess• Perry – Norma Jerome

Best Creative Fundraising Effort• Bartlesville – Bruin Tailgate Rally• Enid – Food for Thought• Hobart – Pumpkin Palooza/

Pumpkin Chunkin’ Festival

PROMOTION:Premier Special Event Under 1,000 Attendees• Bartlesville – Historic Ghost Walk• El Reno – Downtown Block

Parties• Wilburton – Cruise Nights 2014

Premier Special Event Over 1,000 Attendees• Bartlesville – Bruin Tailgate Rally• Okmulgee – 20th Annual Harvest

Spoon Chili Fest• Sapulpa – 25th Anniversary

Route 66 Blowout

Best Retail Event• Kendall Whittier – Eat Eight• Perry – Christmas on Main Street• Prague – Shop Small Christmas

Open House

Outstanding Image Promotion• Altus – A New Spin on Main

Street • Newkirk – Newkirk’s Sports

Legacy• Okmulgee – Okmulgee Rising

Creative New Event• Bartlesville – Bruin Tailgate Rally• Collinsville – Turkey Tracker Hunt• Newkirk – Valued Treasures

Antique Appraisal

ECONOMIC RESTRUCTURING:Best Adaptive Reuse Project• Hobart – Stanley Building• Perry – Event Center at Perry• Prague – Bodyworx

Best Business Practices• Ada – Vintage 22 Wine Bar &

Bistro• Ada – Wiggles to Wisdom• Durant – Bliss Boutique

Best New Business Downtown• Altus – The How-To Palace• El Reno – Blu99• Kendall Whittier – Pancho Anaya

Bakery

Downtown Business of the Year• Bartlesville – Sweet P’s• Durant – The Country Framer• Okmulgee – Ike’s Pub & Eatery

DESIGN:Best Public Improvement Project• Altus – The Wigwam• Stockyards City – National

Saddlery’s OK Corral• Tulsa Route 66 – Route 66

Gateways and Pedestrian Archways

Best Interior Design Project Under $5,000• Collinsville – Callie’s Cache (only

one entry)

Best Interior Design Project Over $5,000• Enid – Nicholas Investment Co. • Hobart – New 2-U Used Furniture

& Antique Store• Prague – Last Chance Bar & Grill• Sapulpa – Signs of the Times

Best Facade Rehabilitation Under $10,000• Bartlesville – Indian Lock & Key• Newkirk – Rocky Bluff

Photography• Pryor – Clinton’s Tire

Best Facade Rehabilitation Over $10,000• Ardmore – Thread’s Clothing Co.• Newkirk – Eastman National

Bank• Perry – Power Abstract Company,

Inc.

Best Window Display• Ada – Farm Girl Boutique• Duncan – The Antique

Marketplace• Perry – LJR Enterprises

Best Building/Business Signage• Durant – Caked Up! Revitalization

& Signage• Sapulpa – Gulf Station Sign • Tulsa Route 66 – Goodwill

Industries of Tulsa Vintage Rt. 66 Sign

3

Workforce News

Recognized by many as America’s best college access program and considered a model that combines emphases on academic preparation and financial support for college, Oklahoma’s Promise has helped make it possible for more than 65,000 students from working families in the state to attend college.

Formerly known as the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program (OHLAP), Oklahoma’s Promise was created in 1992 by the state Legislature to help more Oklahoma families send their children to college. The scholarship pays tuition at any Oklahoma public college or university until the student receives a bachelor’s degree or for five years, whichever comes first. It will also cover a portion of tuition at an accredited Oklahoma private institution. The scholarship does not cover the cost of fees, books, or room and board.

“For more than 20 years, Oklahoma’s Promise has been a transformational program for the state of Oklahoma, helping more than 65,000 students achieve the dream of a college education,” said Chancellor Glen D. Johnson, Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. “Oklahoma’s Promise plays a vital role as an economic engine in our state by providing Oklahoma businesses with an expanded and better educated workforce.”

To be eligible for Oklahoma’s Promise, students must apply during the eighth, ninth or 10th grade, and their family’s annual income must not exceed $50,000 when they apply. A student’s family income also must not exceed $100,000 at the time the student goes to college. During the current academic year, about 18,300 students are expected to receive the scholarship in college. About 17,550 students are projected to receive the scholarship in 2015-16.

To be eligible for the scholarship at graduation, students must achieve a minimum 2.50 (C+) GPA in 17 core courses that prepare them for college and an overall GPA of 2.50 or better for all courses in grades nine through 12. While a minimum 2.50 GPA is required, on average, Oklahoma’s Promise graduates achieve a 3.41 high school GPA. Oklahoma’s Promise graduates also must attend class regularly and refrain from drug and alcohol abuse and delinquent acts.

In order to receive the scholarship in college, students must be U.S. citizens or lawfully present in the United States by the time they begin college.

Students completing the Oklahoma’s Promise program continue to be successful academically, with high school GPAs that exceed the state average, ACT scores that exceed those of their comparable middle- and lower-income peers, and higher-than-average freshman college GPAs.

The college-going rate of Oklahoma’s Promise students exceeds the state average for high school graduates—87 percent compared to 46 percent. They also have above-average full-time college enrollment, persistence rates and degree-completion rates. In addition, Oklahoma’s Promise college graduates get jobs and stay in Oklahoma after college at a higher rate than non-Oklahoma’s Promise graduates—87.1 percent compared to 85.7 percent.

Oklahoma’s Promise Day at the State CapitolTuesday, April 14, Rally at 1 p.m.Oklahoma State Capitol, 2nd floor rotunda

For more information about Oklahoma’s Promise, visit www.okpromise.org.

O K L A H O M A ’ S

Oklahoma’s Promise: Today’s Students, Tomorrow’s WorkforceScholarship pays college tuition for students from low income households

Business News

More than 200 members gathered to listen to three honorees tell their business success stories at the Black Chamber Awards, Thursday, February, 26, at The Bryant Event Center. The organization’s mission is “to be the premier resource for black businesses and those who want to do business in the Oklahoma City metropolitan area.”

Amber Williams, founder and Chief Executive Officer at Precise Solutions, a company that provides accounting, bookkeeping, tax preparation and payroll services for small to mid-size business and not-for-profit organizations, spoke on the importance of networking. Williams, who has a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Oklahoma and a master’s in Business Administration from Oklahoma City University, talked about how her late-father is truly the inspiration behind her drive and passion to succeed at her business.

Demetria Bailey-Stewart, owner of The Bryant Center and B&B Catering, is carrying on the name and vision of a once legendary Oklahoma City venue and meeting place at a new location. After becoming an entrepreneur with her successful catering service, Bailey-Stewart, an OSU graduate, decided she wanted to open an events center as well. She always liked hosting and catering events and felt the area could use an events center.

With her family as an initial investor and what she learned later from small business training is called her “adventure capitalists,” she was able to purchase the facility in December 2014, where the Black Chamber Awards were held.

She explained that choosing the name “The Bryant Center” was special to her because, like many in northeast Oklahoma City, she remembers the original Bryant Center from the 1960s as a hub of social life, including musical acts and political speakers in the community. “We have to know who we are, too appreciate where we are going,” Bailey-Stewart said.

The next speaker, Victoria Kemp, runs Florence’s Restaurant, a 62-year-old family business in Northeast Oklahoma City. Florence’s is rich with history. Her mother started the restaurant at 20 years old and still remains the chef. Kemp is happily carrying the torch. She says just five years ago she would not have thought about moving back home from Dallas and taking over the business, but she has renewed commitment to her family restaurant.

“Rekindling my love for this restaurant has made me fall in love with Northeast Oklahoma City,” Kemp said. “We are pushing forward to be a district, to help market ourselves and our businesses here.”

After the speeches, the awards presentation commenced. This year’s Small Business of the Year award was presented to Pinky’s Specialty Bakery, owned by Carlus Harris, a Metro Technology center culinary graduate.

Black Chamber Annual Meeting and Awards Banquet Celebrating the stories of successful local businesses

Left: Amber Williams of Precise Solutions and Victoria Kemp of Florences Café Right: Small Business of the Year, Pinky’s Bakery owner Carlus Harris

“Rekindling my love for this restaurant has made me fall in love with Northeast Oklahoma City” - Victoria Kemp, Owner, Florence’s Café

Eran Harrill, President-elect of the Black Chamber of Commerce, gave closing address. He spoke on the resilience and fortitude of the community and its business. His hopes over the next year are to continue to empower, support and positively encourage businesses.

“We want to be that positive guiding light in this community,” Said Harrill.

For more information about the Black Chamber of Commerce, visit okcblackchamber.com

5

Could you briefly explain CareerTech and the role it plays?

Oklahoma’s Career and Technology Education System is a comprehensive educational system focusing on creating high-quality educational experiences for students and companies.

These educational experiences improve the Oklahoma economy because they provide individuals with the training and skills necessary to be successful in the workplace and provide companies with the required workforce necessary to compete globally.

The CareerTech system is comprised of 29 technology centers with 59 campuses, 391 comprehensive schools with CareerTech programs, and 16 Skills Centers. CareerTech is an integral part of Oklahoma’s economy and is key in providing opportunities for future generations to prosper.

How does Oklahoma’s CareerTech system compare to other states’?

Oklahoma’s CareerTech system provides college, career and workforce-ready opportunities for students grade six through adult. Oklahoma is unique in its governance structure with an autonomous board. This allows us great flexibility in meeting industry and educational needs.

Other areas of strength for Oklahoma include:- STEM integration throughout multiple programs- Skills Centers programs within prison facilities- Accreditation focused on continuous improvement- Customized training for industry on-demand- Industry relevant credentials and certifications- Student placement is a primary focus- Alignment with workforce needs

Please explain the TIP program and how it benefits Oklahoma businesses?

The Training for Industry Program (TIP) is designed specifically to meet the employee training needs of new or expanding industries. Oklahoma CareerTech provides Training for Industry Program (TIP) funds to companies, helping to lower or eliminate the cost of employee training. Companies qualify for participation in the program whenever they bring net new jobs to the state. CareerTech representatives work one-on-one with them to design and deliver the best start-up training programs anywhere.

How does CareerTech work with the Oklahoma Department of Commerce to provide a workforce for businesses?

Since 1970, CareerTech has maintained dedicated staff at the Oklahoma Department of Commerce. These staff members are tasked with bringing the full portfolio of CareerTech resources to assist Oklahoma Commerce in its work to develop a fully-skilled workforce, growing the Oklahoma economy. In addition, these staff members are a conduit to deliver important workforce and economic development information back to the CareerTech system.

Please describe the ways businesses can utilize CareerTech to provide a pipeline of talent.

CareerTech is a vital economic development arm for the State of Oklahoma. Through long-term, short-term and customized training, businesses can benefits from CareerTech. CareerTech can assist employers and the workforce in obtaining multiple levels of credentials, certifications and workplace skills that provide evidence they possess the necessary knowledge to be successful.

Oklahoma’s Assessment Division has partnerships with 16 Oklahoma agencies and licensure boards to administer certification tests to feed employees quickly and efficiently into the workforce pipeline.

A few ways CareerTech can fill the skills gap with businesses:• Employers can design training for incumbent workers

to upgrade skills and meet industry demands.• Customized safety training and health training.• Advanced technical skills• Assistance with business expansion• Oklahoma BID Assistance• Business incubators for new and emerging businesses.

Next month: Career Tech Growing CommunitiesFor more information visit: okcareertech.org

Q&A with Marcie Mack of CareerTechCareerTech helping business and building a workforce

Marcie Mack, State Director

for CareerTech Systems

Oklahoma State of Success

Darla Heller is part of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce (ODOC) dedicated Regional Development Specialist (RDS) Team. Heller offers assistance as well as referrals to resources and program providers to help support communities and businesses in the Northeast region of the state.

Heller serves 16 counties in northeast Oklahoma. Her area includes the MidAmerica Industrial Park, the manufacturing hubs of Broken Arrow and Muskogee as well as the McLennan-Kerr Navigation channel. A vital part of the RDS is helping to assist with business retention, expansion and attraction programs.

Heller’s know-how in economic and business development make her an excellent resource for companies in the NE Oklahoma area looking for incentives, workforce resources, funding avenues and more. Heller and her support team at the main ODOC office help new and established businesses to flourish in Oklahoma.

“Darla is an excellent resource for development activities in our region,” said Tami McKeon, Economic Development Director, Grand Gateway EDA. “She is an active listener; obtaining as much information regarding a project and matching the needs of the business and community with the Oklahoma Department of Commerce resources that are available. Stakeholders in our region count on her professional opinion and technical assistance to base their concurrent development activities.”

NEW PIONEERA product of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce

EDITOR:Kimberly Hickerson, Project Manager

CONTRIBUTORS:Stefanie Appleton, Bryan Boone

PHOTO CREDITS:OKC Black Chamber of Commerce

Meet Our Staff

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

issuu.com/newpioneerOK

FOR NEW PIONEER SUBMISSIONS AND STORY IDEAS CONTACT:

Darla Heller, NE Oklahoma Area Community and

Economic Development Specialist for Oklahoma Department of

Commerce.

Phone: 918-619-2482E: darla_heller@okcommerce.gov

OKcommerce.gov

@OKcommerce

facebook.com/OKcommerce

She is the liaison and a resource broker for this area connecting communities, businesses and people with the resources and opportunities they need to grow their business.

“Working with Darla on Economic Development for our town has been terrific,” Charolette Howe, City Clerk for the City of Jay. “She is extremely knowledgeable in what ODOC can assist the City of Jay with, and furthermore what other resources might be available for our community. We greatly appreciate her help.”

Before coming to ODOC, Heller worked in community and economic development for Wagoner County from 2007-2013. Heller’s work revolved around industrial park development, leadership development, existing business relations, and community development. Prior to that experience, Heller worked in economic development for Muskogee and Tulsa.

“Farming and ranching is still a large part of rural NE Oklahoma communities; to maintain a vibrant community, many folks are seeking creative ways to diversify their local economies,” Heller said. “It is a pleasure to be able to provide rural communities with opportunities to grow their manufacturing base, resources to attract retail sales tax dollars to their coffers and assist them in creating and retaining jobs that sustain hard-working families.”

Upcoming Events & Important Dates

7

STATE OFFICES CLOSED IN OBSERVANCE OF THE FOLLOWING STATE HOLIDAY:

Monday, May 25 Memorial Day

26TH ANNUAL MAIN STREET AWARDS BANQUETTuesday, May 5, 20156:30 p.m.National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum1700 NE 63rd St, Oklahoma City

The dinner and program will begin at 6:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased from your local Main Street Program for $38 if purchased before April 7, 2015.

SAVE THE DATE: OKLAHOMA’S 27TH ANNUAL STATEWIDEPRESERVATION CONFERENCE Wednesday, June 3-5, 2015 Bartlesville

www.okhistory.org/shpo/conference.htm

OKLAHOMA’S PROMISE DAY AT THE STATE CAPITOLTuesday, April 14, 2015Rally at 1 p.mOklahoma State Capitol, 2nd floor rotunda

Oklahoma’s Promise was created in 1992 by the state Legislature to help more Oklahoma families send their children to college.

www.okhighered.org/okpromise/

The Oklahoma Main Street Center announced March 17, 2015, that Wagoner, Okla., is the newest addition the Oklahoma Main Street Program for 2015. Wagoner joins the program at the associate level. This brings the total number of participating communities to 37 in the state including three urban areas and four associate programs.

The Oklahoma Main Street Program is a comprehensive revitalization effort that provides communities with tools to improve their historical central and neighborhood business district areas. The Oklahoma Department of Commerce operates the Main Street Program.

“Wagoner has a beautiful downtown filled with many ornate buildings,” said Linda Barnett, director of the Oklahoma Main Street Center. “They are nicely positioned in the state with two state highways running through town, and a lake with two resorts nearby. Once considered Queen of the Prairie, it is time for Wagoner to rise and shine again. We hope the next two years help strengthen the resolve to further their main street back to prominence.”

The associate level is a two year endeavor to build capacity to do the fully designated Main Street program. Wagoner will have access to limited Main Street services including training and technical assistance for preservation-based commercial district revitalization, as well as have limited Main Street requirements.

Programs operating at the under 5,000 (population) associate level are not required to have paid staff but must have a volunteer who can dedicate 20 hours a week to

Oklahoma Main Street Center Announces 2015 New Town Selection

the program. The associate level will also operate with a volunteer board of directors, much like the fully recognized programs.

Wagoner will receive leadership training for their program manager and board of directors, as well as training in the nationally recognized Four-Point Main Street approach of organization, promotion, design and economic restructuring.

According to the latest figures, Oklahoma Main Street communities have generated more than $1.4 billion in total public and private reinvestment, created nearly 17,200 new jobs and helped in the development of nearly 5,000 new or expanded small businesses.

For more information about the Oklahoma Main Street Program, please call (405) 815-6552 or visit okcommerce.gov/mainstreet.

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

DR2 Technology from UK Company Grows Oklahoma JobsDuncan Recycling & Refining (DR2), signed an agreement to build a plasma arc smelter, using technology from Tetronics International, Wiltshire, U.K. By the fall of 2015, DR2 will employ about 65 full-time employees.

Tetronics plasma arc system is recognized globally as a sustainable solution for recovering resources from materials including spent catalysts, electronics and mining ores.

David Nichols, DR2 President, says he decided to install Tetronics’ plasma arc technology after seeing the system in action during a trip to Europe two years ago.

Graeme Rumbol, CEO of Tetronics International, says, “We are delighted to have signed this agreement, and we are very much looking forward to seeing the plant become operational.”

For more information contact Duncan Recycling and Refining at 580-736-4150 or info@Duncan-Refining.com or visit www.Duncan-Refining.com.