Ten-Digit Local Dialing to Start in Region
Residents of the 918 area code, which extends from Bartlesville in the north to Sallisaw in the south and from the Oklahoma-Arkansas border to Pawhuska, will be required on March 5, 2011, to dial the 918 area code plus the local number to complete calls in northeastern Oklahoma. On April 1, 2011, a new 539 area code will be available to new customers in the 918 area code in what is called an area code overlay.
Confidence in Oklahoma Economy Up
Oklahomans’ confidence in the state’s economy has grown in the past six months. Thirty-seven percent of the 755 Oklahomans surveyed in mid-July said the state’s economy is getting better. In January, just 25 percent thought so.
Dollar Thrifty Has Strong Second Quarter
Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group Inc., the Tulsa-based rental car company, reported second-quarter net income of $42.3 million, or $1.40 per share in early August as the company continues to outperform the industry. Dollar Thrifty was the only U.S. rental car company to post a profit in 2009. Dollar Thrifty operated an average of 108,513 vehicles in the second quarter.
Tulsa Refinery Credited for Holly Corp. Profit Gain
Integration and improved volumes at its Tulsa refinery pushed Holly Corp.’s second-quarter profit nearly five times higher than the same period in 2009, the Dallas-based company reported. Holly logged $66.2 million in net income, far above the $14.6 million generated over costs in last year’s second quarter. Sunoco Inc. and Sinclair Oil Corp. sold their longtime Tulsa refineries to Holly last year.
Local Company Relists on Stock Market
Tulsa-based Global Power Equipment Group Inc.’s emergence from Chapter 11 bankruptcy made another step forward with the company’s federal approval for listing its stock on the Nasdaq exchange in early August. The Securities and Exchange Commission approved the company’s request, allowing the power infrastructure company to become a broadly traded public entity once again.
Tulsa’s Sales Tax Revenue Increases
Tulsa’s sales tax revenue for August was 1.6 percent above the same month in 2009 and 7 percent above budget projections. The city’s check for the month from the Oklahoma Tax Commission was for $17,142,814, compared to $16,874,990 in August 2009. The total is more than $1.1 million above the budgeted amount of $15,979,000.
Oklahoma Revenue Collections Rise in July
State revenues began the first month of the fiscal year on a good note. July collections of $370.1 million were 9.9 percent above the same month last year and 11.9 percent above the official state estimate, according to the state treasurer. Collections in all major areas are above the same month of last year.
ODOT Approves Eight-Year Construction Plan
The Oklahoma Department of Transportation commission approved a $4.3 billion, eight-year construction program that includes replacing or fixing more than 650 bridges including work on 70 road or bridge projects in Tulsa County. The plan, which stretches from 2011 to 2018 and acts as a guideline for department projects, represents a marked increase in spending and construction from just a few years ago.
Tulsa International Airport Starts Construction Projects
A number of construction projects involving the passenger terminal, the terminal roadway and the main north-south runway will get under way this month, in September and early next year. Members of the Tulsa Airports Improvement Trust accepted $9.16 million in Federal Aviation Administration grants. Trustees also approved $9.59 million in construction, management and design contracts at Tulsa International for projects ranging from reconstruction of the main runway to rehabilitation of the passenger terminal perimeter roadway.
University of Tulsa Building Continues at Fast Pace
The University of Tulsa plans to put students on the cutting edge of computer science and electrical engineering with the planned J. Newton Rayzor Hall. Ground will be broken on the new electrical engineering and computer science building in the next few months. In the past five years, the university has completed 13 construction projects and major renovations. Seven more major projects are under construction, pending construction or set to be complete this fall.
College Enrollment Surges
A combination of more online classes and the economy has many area colleges and universities reporting record enrollments. Tulsa Community College has the largest student population of its 41-year history. Oklahoma State University reported a record number of students enrolled this fall, according to preliminary figures. OSU saw a combined increase of 818 students enrolled at its Stillwater and Tulsa campuses.
River Parks’ Trails Continue Upgrades
Trail upgrades were recently completed from the Pedestrian Bridge to Interstate 44 on the west side of the Arkansas River. Improvements included repaving, new lighting and refurbished rest areas. Currently closed for improvements is the west side area from near the Pedestrian Bridge north to River West Festival Park. The George Kaiser Family Foundation announced in 2007 that it would privately fund a three-year, $12.4 million project to transform the trails for pedestrians and cyclists on both sides of the river between 11th and 71st streets.