Ardmore, Oklahoma

A Warm and Diverse Business Climate

NEW JOBS AND GROWTH,
FROM 2000 TO 2007

Year                                   New Jobs

2007 ………………………………. 50

2006 ……………………………… 102

2005 ……………………………….. 52

2004 ……………………………… 124

2003 ……………………………… 280

2002 ……………………………… 198

2001 ……………………………… 475

2000 ……………………………… 100

Total new jobs in past 8 years… 1381

Source:
Reports from individual companies, updated June, 2009

Located on Interstate 35 midway between the metropolitan areas of Dallas/Fort Worth and Oklahoma City, Ardmore, OK is a prime location for attracting new business and industry.

While Ardmore is ideal for economic development, its location also is perfect for travelers and recreation. Nestled in the Arbuckle Mountains, Ardmore is only minutes away from a wide variety of attractions throughout Southern Oklahoma. According to a recent report in The New York Times, “Oklahoma’s central location makes it ideal for transportation-sensitive industries. It’s a strategy that has begun to work for Ardmore.”

Emphasis on Education

Ardmore’s commitment to education is a key factor in making it an outstanding community. The Ardmore City Schools and Plainview Schools work diligently to meet the needs of a diverse student population. A community-wide education initiative known as “Raising the Standards: Excellence in Education” was introduced to challenge students with a rigorous curriculum designed to provide them with the tools to succeed both academically and professionally. “Cornerstones”, the second phase of the project, began a five-year program that introduced an accountability feature into the original standards process. The five-year program has more than $3.3 million pledged.

The Southern Oklahoma Technology Center offers courses designed to develop career or technical skills, and the Ardmore Higher Education Center provides classes in Ardmore from several regional universities.

NEW INDUSTRY & MAJOR EXPANSIONS

Company                                       Type

Amethyst Research,Inc. ………………….. Expansion

Beetle Plastics …………………………….. Expansion

Southwest Silicon Technology …………… Expansion

OnLine Packaging ………………………………. New

Amethyst Research, Inc. ……………………….. New

IMTEC, a 3M Company ………………….. Expansion

IMTEC Imaging ………………………………….. New

Dollar General Corp (Distribution Center)…. Expansion

Dot Foods, Inc. …………………………………… New

Best Buy Distribution Center ……………………. New

Carbonyx …………………………………… Expansion

The Noble Foundation ……………………. Expansion

EJIW Ardmore Foundry ……………………. Expansion

IMTEC Corporation ………………………… Expansion

Michelin North America ……………………. Expansion

The Noble Foundation …………………….. Expansion

Dollar Tree Stores (Distribution Center)………… New

Carbonyx ………………………………………….. New

Michelin North America ……………………. Expansion

Source: Reports from individual companies, updated June, 2009

Global MarketPlace

The strength of Ardmore is displayed in the diversity of its economic structure including energy, agriculture, aviation, industry and research. Its industrial sector includes Michelin North America. Aviation companies that have benefited from a former Air Force base-turned-Industrial Airpark include Japan Air Lines, McDonnell Douglas, Ryder Systems and AAR. Companies like Noble Energy and Slaughter Company attract and employ professional engineers and scientists from all over the world. The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation’s 60 scientists were recruited from throughout the U.S. and 15 foreign countries. Ardmore’s proposed International Trade Center also has helped usher in plans for a new MG Motors Assembly Plant.

Ardmore is a progressive community where the rural work ethic combines with a quality of life that provides an excellent environment for economic development.

Business Incubator Fosters Research & Development in Biotechnology

In 2005, The Ardmore Development Authority, The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation and the Southern Oklahoma Technology Center (SOTC) formed a partnership to create a business incubator, the Ardmore Technology Transfer Center, to recruit and retain technology oriented companies to Ardmore, OK.

The advantages to a tenant locating in the incubator include more affordable lease space and access to an array of on-site managerial, administrative and financial services that assist the companies in overcoming challenges faced in the market place. In addition, tenants are exempt from state tax liability on income earned on activities conducted at the incubator for up to ten years. The exemption is valid after the company moves out of the incubator.

The ADA, with the help of the Noble Foundation, has established Ardmore as part of the Oklahoma Biotechnology Corridor which includes Stillwater, the Greater Oklahoma City Area and Ardmore. The potential for professional collaborations with the Noble Foundation also serves as an attraction to prospective companies.

The Technology Transfer Center has received accreditation from the Oklahoma Department of Commerce and two companies, IMTEC Imaging LLC and Amethyst Research, Inc., are located in the incubator. The long-term objective of this project is to create a technology park in Ardmore focused on commercial ventures based on scientific research.