February 22, 2010 Tulsa Metro Chamber announced today at a press conference the launch of SourceLink Tulsa, a new program created to spur the growth of small businesses and start-ups in the area. SourceLink is funded by the Chamber’s economic development plan, Tulsa’s Future. Speakers at the press conference were Cari Marshall, 2010 chair of the Chamber’s Small Business Council and owner of Tulsa-based L&M Office Furniture; Howard Barnett, president of OSU-Tulsa; Jeremy Hegle, U.S. SourceLink; and Patrick Cuningkin, owner of Tulsa-based start-up I’m Delivered.
In a community the size of the Tulsa metro region, there are a number of nonprofit and government organizations offering business-building services. However, individuals who own a small business or those who wish to start one are often overwhelmed with questions or challenges and may not know where to find help.
SourceLink Tulsa provides a simple, cost-free answer to this challenge. SourceLink is a referral network that links small and emerging business owners to area resource partners who provide a range of services to help businesses grow and prosper. The program is based on a model created by the Kauffman Foundation, and is offered at no cost to entrepreneurs and participating resource partners.
Tulsa Mayor Dewey Bartlett, sworn into office Dec. 7, has pledged to be the city’s “job-gettingest mayor” in history with an emphasis on economic growth and establishing Tulsa as the new energy capital.
Housing starts in the Tulsa area jumped 38 percent in October from the same time in 2008. The
Mexico-based Campo Alegre opened its first U.S. operation in Tulsa because of the city’s central location and capacity for local plants to produce its products.
School-bus maker IC Corp. announced last week it will close its Arkansas assembly plant and move the work to its factory in Tulsa.
