September 2010
www.okcchamber.com
FOCUSing ON BUSINESS RETENTION, EXPANSION With an economic downturn continuing to affect the nation, the Chamber is continually working to keep Greater Oklahoma City’s economy strong. In order to best understand how Greater Oklahoma City businesses are faring, the Chamber’s Business Retention & Expansion (BRE) team annually conducts interviews with hundreds of companies to discuss the challenges or issues they are facing, as well as opportunities. Between July 1, 2009 and June 30, 2010, the BRE team conducted 282 visits with companies of various sizes and industries (see chart on page 8). The majority of firms interviewed
are small businesses. Of the firms interviewed, 147 are headquartered in Oklahoma, and, of these, 112 have operations outside of the region and 100 have operations outside the U.S. The last year has seen great excitement in Oklahoma City, with the passage of MAPS 3, the new Devon HQ building construction, new jobs at several Oklahoma City companies, and new companies moving to the region. It has also been a time of continued caution for the majority of Oklahoma City based companies. The companies are staying lean, efficient, working on new product lines, and improving processes. Continued on Page 8
volunteers celebrate victorious campaign Volunteers from 115 Greater Oklahoma City companies celebrated another successful Total Resource Development Campaign with the announcement of a record $2,347,322 total. Nearly 168 volunteers have been working for the past three months to execute the Chamber’s annual campaign. This year marked the 17th year for the campaign. Led by TRDC Co-Chairs John Richels, Devon Energy Corporation, and Judy J. Hatfield, Equity Commercial Realty, LLC, this year’s campaign was a success across the board.
Last month, TRDC volunteers gathered to celebrate surpassing their goal during the 2010 campaign.
“The support, energy and enthusiasm put into this campaign was overwhelming,” Hatfield said. “By any measure this was our most successful campaign yet, which is even more amazing due to the economic environment. Our success is completely due to the efforts of our volunteers.”
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