Oklahoma Sees ‘Tremendous Growth’ In New, Existing Companies

Two economic development programs awarded a combined $13.5 million to more than 175 businesses in 2023 alone, according to the Oklahoma Department of Commerce.

By Kari Williams
From the March/April 2024 Issue

 

The past year was one of “tremendous growth” for Oklahoma, according to Lt. Governor and Secretary of Workforce and Economic Development Matt Pinnell.

“Through Commerce-led initiatives, we supported growth in existing Oklahoma companies, the very bedrock of our economic landscape, and welcomed many new businesses to the state,” Pinnell said. “It was a year that will impact Oklahoma communities for generations to come.”

The Oklahoma Innovation Expansion Program and the Business Expansion Incentive Program were key in supporting businesses, according to the Oklahoma Department of Commerce (Commerce), which awarded a total $13.5 million to more than 175 businesses.

More than 40 companies received grants through the Business Expansion Incentive Program, the department said.

Oklahoma
Oklahoma City, OK skyline (Photo: Adobe Stock/Spirito America

 

Commerce also recently unveiled its Supporting Industrial Transformation and Economic Success (SITES) Ready Program, which, focuses on assessing site and community readiness and participating communities receive recommendations from a consulting firm to “improve and market community assets.”

“Local communities play a leading role in economic development and site selection,” said Jennifer Springer, Director of Business Development, Commerce. “The SITES Ready Program will help local communities understand existing economic development capacity while also learning how to expand and leverage that capacity or pivot to a new strategic plan to increase economic growth and potential.”

The program already has secured “a significant boost” of $178 million for infrastructure improvements statewide, according to Commerce.

Already in 2024, Stardust Power Inc., a development-stage manufacturer of battery-grade lithium products, selected the Southside Industrial Park in Muskogee, OK for its new refinery. The company could receive up to $257 million in state and federal incentives and expects to break ground in the first half of 2024.

“As we see more energy manufacturers moving to our state, due in part to our competitive, performance-based incentives, Stardust Power’s new lithium refinery will create hundreds of new jobs while cementing Oklahoma’s place as the best state in the nation for critical mineral manufacturing,” said Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt.

SET YOUR SITES ON OKLAHOMA

As the state’s leading economic development agency assisting communities and businesses with opportunities for legacy success, Commerce remains committed to addressing site development needs across the state.

Launched in February 2023, the Supporting Industrial Transformation and Economic Success (SITES) Program represents a $780 million commitment to address statewide site infrastructure needs to meet the demand of existing businesses, as well as companies looking to establish operations in Oklahoma.

Oklahoma
MidAmerica Industrial Park in Pryor OK (Photo: courtesy MidAmerica Industrial Park, Pryor, OK)

 

“Through the SITES Program, we have a tremendous opportunity to support local communities by removing economic barriers for site improvements,” said Hopper Smith Brigadier General (ret.), Executive Director of Commerce. “Oklahoma is quickly becoming a destination for companies and site selectors because of our pro-business policies and innovative infrastructure support programs.”

This initiative, primarily funded through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and the Progressing Rural Economic Prosperity (PREP) Fund, targets crucial site availability and preparation challenges. In 2023, eight ARPA-funded projects and 14 PREP-backed initiatives were selected, paving the way for vital improvements on designated sites totaling $148 million in site-specific funds.

The Oklahoma Department of Commerce closed out a banner year in 2023 having supported 88 economic projects looking to expand and relocate to Oklahoma, totaling an investment of $3.66 billion and the anticipated addition of 7,000 jobs.

Notably, an additional $29.95 million from the unallocated PREP funding was awarded to 19 projects in 16 communities through a competitive grant process, emphasizing support for industrial parks, airports, and ports. The SITES Program reaffirms Commerce’s dedication to driving sustainable economic growth and fostering resilient communities statewide.

Additionally, in July 2023, Commerce opened applications for the Oklahoma Strategic Industrial Development Enhancement (SIDE) Act, which addresses the needs of rural industrial parks by facilitating construction of railroad infrastructure. Commerce allocated $11.8 million in tax credits to be awarded to 13 qualifying projects in the program’s first year. The tax credits will facilitate $60.8 million in capital investment and assist in 210 new jobs associated with the projects announced in 2023. Communities will have another opportunity to apply for the SIDE Act when the annual application process begins this spring.

In addition to supporting statewide infrastructure needs, Commerce closed out a banner year in 2023 having supported 88 economic projects looking to expand and relocate to Oklahoma, totaling an investment of $3.66 billion and the anticipated addition of 7,000 jobs.

Some notable announcements for 2023 include:

  • Enel North America, through its affiliate 3Sun USA, LLC, selected Inola, OK for the company’s industrial-scale manufacturing facility for innovative, sustainable, and American-made photovoltaic (PV) cells and modules.
  • Raytheon Technologies’ Pratt & Whitney plans to invest $255 million through 2028 in a world-class sustainment facility.

Netherlands-Based App Givt Establishes HQ in Tulsa, OK

Givt, a Netherlands-based digital giving app, recently established its U.S headquarters in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Read more…
  • WindShape plans to open a 19,000-square-foot, cutting-edge indoor drone testing and validation facility. The announcement represented the Swiss-based company’s decision to relocate their North American headquarters to Oklahoma.
  • Blue Whale, a lithium-ion battery upcycling operation, chose Oklahoma for its next location. The Bartlesville facility will collect and sort used lithium batteries previously used on everything from cell phones and tablets to electric vehicles.   
  • American Airlines, North America plans a multi-million-dollar capital investment in ongoing improvements to the company’s Tulsa location to allow for the creation of more than 300 additional jobs.
  • Georg Fisher Central Plastics broke ground on a 150,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Shawnee, OK. This $30 million investment is anticipated to bring 300 additional full-time jobs to the company’s existing first location.   

For more information, visit www.okcommerce.gov.


Check out all the latest news related to Oklahoma economic development, corporate relocation, corporate expansion and site selection.

Aerospace/Defense/Aviation, Capital Investment, Economic Development, Energy & Water, Featured, Incentives, Taxes & Financing, Industries, Magazine, Magazine Highlights, Manufacturing, North American Focus, Oklahoma, Site Selection Factors, State Focus, USA - Southwest, Workforce Development

BF-March/April-2024, Business Incentives, Capital Investment, corporate expansion, Economic Development, Governor Kevin Stitt, Oklahoma, Oklahoma Department of Commerce, Oklahoma Innovation Expansion Program, Oklahoma Strategic Industrial Development Enhancement (SIDE) Act, Single Location, SITES Ready Program

Sponsored Content
Featured Location

Location Spotlight: Explore Minnesota

With a diverse economy built on industry-leading companies, thriving small businesses, high innovation rates, world-class infrastructure and a skilled, educated, and engaged workforce, there’s room for everyone to thrive.

Featured Video

Webinars, Podcasts & Videos

Camp Hall – A Next Generation Commerce Park in South Carolina

Camp Hall is a first-of-its-kind, master-planned industrial work space located in Charleston, S.C. As a convergence of people, place and programming, Camp Hall delivers thoughtful infrastructure and logistical features that empower people — and business — to thrive.

Hear from leaders at the Destination Medical Center and Mayo Clinic Business Development in Rochester about why they feel Minnesota is filled with opportunities for founders and why investors should consider the power of startups in Minnesota.

Business Benefits In Minnesota, a Mayo Clinic Business Development and Destination Medical Center Perspective

Hear from leaders at the Destination Medical Center and Mayo Clinic Business Development in Rochester about why they feel Minnesota is filled with opportunities for founders and why investors should consider the power of startups in Minnesota.

Agricultural Heritage Meets Strong Manufacturing Base With a rich history in agriculture, the region is now made up of a strong manufacturing base, including everything from snack foods and Gatorade, to leading human resources software and revolutionary plug-less power systems for electric vehicles. Mount Rogers Regional Partnership's strategic East Coast location is the driving force.

Virginia’s i81-i77 Crossroads | Talent Retention & Manufacturing

Learn about manufacturing jobs and facilities in the Mount Rogers region of southwest Virginia. There is ample opportunity for education and jobs in a region rich with culture and heritage.

Share to...