Four Area Companies Announce up to 370 New Jobs
Four Tulsa-area companies announced plans to hire a combined 370 new people, many in the hard-hit manufacturing sector. Machining companies Fisher Products LLC, Avery Barron Industries and Process Manufacturing Co. announced 270 jobs collectively to support energy related work. Additionally, AT&T announced plans to add 100 new positions at its Tulsa customer service center. The new jobs will support an estimated 750 additional jobs throughout the Tulsa-area economy and a total income of more than $61 million.
Local Aerospace Companies Continue to Expand
Since the first of the year, four local aerospace firms have added more than 1,500 workers. NORDAM Group has added 326 people, American Airlines has added approximately 500 workers, Spirit AeroSystems has added 661 people and BizJet International has added 89 people. A healthy aerospace industry provides an economic boost to Oklahoma where the industry is responsible for 144,000 direct and indirect jobs, $12.4 billion in annual economic output and a payroll of $5 billion.
Griffin Communications Begins Facility Construction
Griffin Communications began construction on an $11.8 million Tulsa headquarters that will house its stable of television outlets and websites. The 57,000-square-foot facility in downtown Tulsa will include studios for CBS affiliate KOTV channel 6 and offices for CW affiliate KQCW, Money Saving Queen, This TV Network and Griffin News Media. The new facility will be home to approximately 185 employees. Construction should be finished in late 2012.
Tulsa Sales-Tax Revenue Increases
Tulsa’s sales-tax revenue for October increased 4.4 percent over the same month last year according to reports released by the Oklahoma Tax Commission. The city’s check from the Oklahoma Tax Commission was for $17,880,592, compared with $17,123,986 in October 2010. To date, Tulsa’s sales tax revenue is up 3.6 percent.
Home Sales Rise 1.8 Percent in September
Home sales in Tulsa continued to grow in September, brining the 2011 total just shy of the first nine-months of last year. The Greater Tulsa Association of Realtors reported that 965 homes changed hands last month, up 1.8 percent from 948 in August and up 20.3 percent from September 2010. To date, 7,743 homes have been sold in the Tulsa area for an average price of $148,078.
Ground Broken for new Downtown Hotel
SJS Hospitality, the Tulsa group that purchased the former Atlas Life Building and converted it into a Courtyard by Marriott, broke ground for its second downtown hotel project in mid-October. The $11 million Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott will be located along Main Street between Archer and Brady Streets. When the hotel is finished late next year, it will feature 104 rooms as well as 11,000 square feet of retail, restaurant and entertainment space at street level.
Tulsa Police Department Awarded Grant
The Tulsa Police Department was awarded a three-year, $3.5 million federal hiring program grant. The grant will fund 19 officer positions. The additional positions and a recent decision to move Tulsa’s next police training academy from April 2012 to December will bring the department closer to its goal of 815 officers.
Oklahoma is 3rd Among Top States in Which to Retire
Oklahoma is the third best state for retirement, according to a ranking released by MoneyRates.com. The 2011 rankings are based on data about each state’s economic condition, climate, life expectancy of residents and crime rates. For 2011, the website also took into account reader input about relative importance of each of those factors.
State Gross Revenue Continues to Increase
The state’s gross revenue collections continued to increase last month, according to the Oklahoma State Treasurer. September gross revenue collections were 7.1 percent above the prior year, continuing a trend of more than 18 months of year-over-year improvement. Gross tax collections brought in $960.42 million in September.
Tulsa Metro Chamber Launches Diversity Initiative
A program to help businesses understand the importance of embracing diversity and inclusion was launched in early October by the Tulsa Metro Chamber. The initiative, named Mosaic, is considered key to improving the economic and social climate of the region. Mosaic was incorporated into the chamber’s strategic plan one year ago as a dynamic tool in attracting and retaining businesses and individuals in the community.