Hot Headline
Edmond lives up to low crime reputation
The crime index for the year 2000 from the U.S. Department of Justice shows
Edmond continues to be a safe place to live, possessing a lower crime
rate than other metro cities of similar size. Edmond, population of 68,598
in 2000, was compared to cities with similar populations such as Broken
Arrow, population 77,414; Midwest City, population 55,666; and Norman,
population 96,791. Edmond had fewer burglaries, larceny-thefts, motor
vehicle thefts, rapes, and assaults. Courtesy of The Daily Oklahoman
October 27, 2001.
www.newsok.com.
The Business Beat
Dobson gets $465 million in Verizon deal
Dobson Communications last week said it has a definitive agreement to sell four operations to Verizon Wireless for $465 million. Dobson will sell operations in California, Georgia, Ohio and Tennessee. The purchase price includes $202 million for Tennessee Rural Service Area #4, the property of a joint venture that is equally owned by Dobson and AT&T Wireless. Additional terms were not disclosed. Total population served by the four properties is 950,000. The sales are expected to close in the first quarter. Courtesy of The Journal Record, November 2, 2001.
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Arvest Bank continues presence in Edmond
Arvest Bank began construction Nov. 1 on their third full-service location in Edmond. The 5,500 square foot facility will be located between Santa Fe Avenue and Second Street. Courtesy of The Edmond Sun, October 28, 2001.
Retail Details
The Soap Box opens at Oak Brook
The Soap Box, located at 206 S. Santa Fe in Oak Brook Shopping Center, is a bath and body retail store that offers custom-made soaps, bath salts, lotions, shower gels, shampoos, body mists and other similar products. The Soap Box is a concept by Michelle Powell, who nearly two years ago in Eufaula, Okla., stood at her stovetop making glycerin soaps to sell out of her home. Her home-based business grew into a store concept with franchises in Oklahoma and Illinois. Courtesy of Edmond Life & Leisure, November 1, 2001.
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Salon & Spa on Spring Creek celebrates anniversary
Oct. 16 marked the one-year anniversary of the Salon & Spa on Spring Creek, and owner Suzanne Ogle said the response to the Salon & Spa has been phenomenal. To celebrate its anniversary, the Salon & Spa will have an open house all day on Nov. 8. The public is invited to attend the open house where there will be door prizes, samples, demonstrations, tours and manufacturer's representatives on site. Courtesy of Edmond Life & Leisure, November 1, 2001.
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IT Bytes
Edmond firm emerges as a leader in threat assessment
In the post-9-11 world, businesses across the country are reassessing their vulnerability to attack, and Edmond-based Disaster Engineering Software Consultants is becoming a leader in the field of threat assessment. DESC helps clients develop contingency plans for dealing with major disaster by literally mapping out potential scenarios using Computer Assisted Design, or CAD, software and Geographic Information Systems, or GIS, data, which allows a precise mapping of a building or campus and the potential impact of major disasters, including explosions. Courtesy of The Journal Record, November 6, 2001.
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Technology and the First Amendment
Technology and its impact on the First Amendment is the theme of Oklahoma’s third annual First Amendment Congress on Nov. 8-9 at the University of Central Oklahoma. The first day will focus on issues concerning high school and college students, educators and student publications. The second day, law professor Fred Cate of Indiana University will speak about privacy issues in the information age. Breakout sessions on Nov. 9 include issues concerning education, law enforcement and government. Tickets range from $15 for a one-day student pass to $60 for attorneys wanting continuing education credits. More information is available at www.odl.state.ok.us/fyi/foi or by calling the Oklahoma Library Association at 348-0506. Courtesy of The Journal Record, November 2, 2001.
On Campus
Education funding up for grabs – UCO may benefit
A recent funding request from the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education might mean more money for the University of Central Oklahoma. The state regents outlined a $1.034 billion request for appropriations from the state Legislature. This request includes $174 million in new money from the state for higher education. The state regents also asked for $5 million to help institutions that have experienced substantial enrollment boosts in recent years that were not funded because of insufficient growth of state resources. Courtesy of The Edmond Sun, November 2, 2001.
Oklahoma college enrollment rises
Fall enrollment at Oklahoma’s public colleges and universities grew slightly this year from 2000, according to a preliminary report. The report shows 169,485 students are enrolled in public institutions this fall, an increase of 4.6 percent or 7,396 students. The report also indicates that the number of first-time freshmen at Oklahoma public colleges and universities continues to rise. The largest jump of 8.9 percent came from the state’s regional universities (including UCO). Courtesy of The Journal Record, November 6, 2001.
City Spot
Edmond experiencing growing pains
Edmond’s transportation needs are a key issue for the legislators who live here and represent the city at the state level. And they’re not alone. Because the city has grown so quickly, traffic is also a major concern of Edmond citizens. The city’s population jumped from 52,000 in 1990 to more than 68,000 last year. This quick growth made Edmond one of the four fastest-growing cities in the state, and has left it scrambling to solve traffic snarls in several places, as more businesses and housing additions pop up. Sen. Mark Snyder and Rep. Wayne Pettigrew cite the creation of a better east-west access route through the city as a top priority. Courtesy of The Edmond Sun, October 26, 2001.
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A cure for traffic congestion
Edmond and Oklahoma City joined with the state Transportation Department, and the federal transportation administration to plan the widening of Santa Fe Avenue from 15th Street to the Kilpatrick Turnpike. Widening will also occur from the turnpike to 33rd Street and then continue north to 15th Street. The plan is to make Santa Fe five lanes. Construction is expected to begin after the first of the year. The funding for the project will come from a 2000 sales tax dedicated to capital improvement projects and by The
Federal Highway Administration. Although transportation department officials are unsure how long the project will take, the project’s completion is expected to end a long-term traffic problem. Courtesy of The Daily Oklahoman, October 27, 2001.
www.newsok.com
Who's Who
Sonic promotes Edmond executives
Several Edmond residents were recently promoted at Sonic. Mitchell W. Gregory has been promoted to vice president-information services. He joined Sonic in 1995. Keith O. Jossell has been promoted to vice president-brand development. He joined the company in 1996. Andrew G. “Drew” Ritger, Jr. has been promoted to vice president-quality assurance. He joined Sonic in 1996. Tami Bryant has been appointed accounting clerk. She was self-employed. Courtesy of The Journal Record, November 6, 2001.
Upcoming Business Events
Information Technology: Asset or Liability?
The Francis Tuttle Commerce Development Center, in partnership with the Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce and the Edmond Economic Development Authority, will host a lunch seminar on “Information Technology: Asset or Liability? Presented by Gus Alfonzo from Resourceware. The event will take place noon to 1 p.m. Nov. 7 at the Economic Development Building on the main Francis Tuttle campus, 12777 N. Rockwell. Cost is $10. Register by calling 717-4745 or log on to www.ft-cdc.com.
Business After Hours
UpTime Ltd. will host the Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Nov. 13. UpTime Ltd. is located at 120 N. Bryant in Edmond. This event is open to all Edmond Chamber members. For more information, please call 341-2808.
Section 125 Seminar
Roberts & Roberts Insurance Agency, Inc. and TcomplyCo, LLC, will present a free Section 125 seminar 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 16 at the Troy Smith Lecture Hall in the UCO College of Business building. The seminar will include topics such as Cafeteria Plans, Medicare, Medicaid, COBRA, HIPPA, and Group Health Plan Compliance Issues. Maps can be provided by e-mail or fax. RSVP to mlucas@roberts-roberts.com or call 840-4646.
Real Estate Update
October 16-31 transactions
Click here to view a list of Edmond area commercial real estate transactions from the last half of October.
Courtesy of Edmond Life & Leisure, November 1, 2001.
Stock TickerEdmond area investment opportunities
Click here for up to the minute stock information on Edmond public companies.
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Editor Contact Information:
Allison Pumphrey
Director of Public Relations & Marketing
Edmond Economic Development Authority
405.340.0116
ap@eeda.com
