Hot Headline
State may enjoy a green Christmas
With economic contraction under way and fears of a serious recession growing, retailers across the nation are bracing for a brutal holiday shopping season. But Oklahoma business owners may have reason for optimism, according to local officials, because the state has not taken the economic hits experienced in other parts of the United States. Janet Yowell, interim executive director of the Edmond Economic Development Authority, said Edmond merchants haven't seen signs of a sharp decline in purchases, despite the shape of the national economy. "To this point they haven't seen a noticeable slowdown in their businesses," she said. "They have purchased merchandise for the Christmas season like they would any other year." Yowell said Edmond sales tax collections are actually up 7.5 percent for the year compared to year 2000 collections. The summer months saw the biggest increase, growing 10 percent over last summer's collections. Collections have declined some since then, but growth in sales tax collections remains strong, she said. Courtesy of The Journal Record, November 8, 2001.
Click here to read more.
The Business Beat
New Edmond firm steers businesses to success
Performance Dashboard, Inc., a business performance management company, recently opened its headquarters in Edmond. Partners Cappy Leland, Ed.D., Thomas Newman, Jon Friesen and Terry Taylor, Ed.D. agree that in order to gain a competitive edge in any industry, companies must have an understanding of internal culture, operations and employees. Performance Dashboard, Inc. offers a Performance Management Model to help companies create organizational effectiveness. UroCor, Inc., Advancia, Dobson Communications, Crowe & Dunlevy, and the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce are just a few of the companies that have benefited from Performance Dashboard's services. Courtesy of Edmond Life & Leisure, November 8, 2001.
Click here to read more.
Local economy remains strong
Despite a decline in consumer confidence on a national level, Edmond residents maintain their support of the local economy. Sales tax collections reported for the month of October were more than $2.2 million, assisting in a total increase of 7.6 percent on the year. In addition, estimated sales tax revenue reported for the same month is currently the fifth highest of the year, at $69.8 million. More importantly, per-capita retail spending is up 4.3 percent from September of this year to $963 per Edmond resident. Courtesy of Edmond Life & Leisure, November 8, 2001.
Click here to read more.
McKinnis makes partner in local law firm
Edmond's own Todd A. McKinnis has become a partner and shareholder of the McAlister, McAlister & Burnett law firm. He has served as an attorney for the firm since 1994. McAlister, McAlister & Burnett has been in Edmond since 1985. The firm specializes in the areas of Estate and Trust and business transaction. They mainly do work for closely held businesses and non profit organizations. Courtesy of Edmond Life & Leisure, November 8, 2001.
Click here to read more.
Retail Details
Holiday spending may surprise some
The battered economy and terrorist events of the past two months have led consumers to trim their holiday spending plans, but not as much as some experts expected, a new survey shows. Despite a soaring unemployment rate, weakening consumer confidence, continued fallout from the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and new worries about anthrax in the mail, 57 percent of consumers plan to spend the same amount for the holidays as they did last year, according to the survey released Monday by the Consumer Federation of America and the Credit Union National Association, a trade group for credit unions. Courtesy of The Journal Record, November 6, 2001.
Click here to read more.
IT Bytes
UpTime announces new personnel
Michael J. Robichaux has joined UpTime Ltd. as an account manager. He has more than 20 years experience in sales and marketing, much in the information technology sector. UpTime is an Edmond-based company that specializes in computer networking, storage and back-up solutions. Courtesy of The Edmond Sun, November 11, 2001.
On Campus
Oklahoma Christian to host MBA program information meeting
Anyone interested in Oklahoma Christian University’s Fast-Track MBA is invited to an information meeting from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, November 13 in the Harvey Business Center on the OC campus, located on Benson Road just north of Memorial Road. OC’s MBA program offers busy professionals the opportunity to continue their careers and obtain an MBA in as little as 12 months through year-round classes that meet nightly twice a week. The MBA program will graduate its second class during OC’s winter graduation ceremonies on December 14. Enrollment has tripled since the program debuted in September 2000. For more information, visit http://mba.oc.edu/.
Who's Who
Lamb to lead OMPA Board
Edmond City Councilman Charles Lamb was elected Chair of the Board of Directors for the Oklahoma Municipal Power Authority (OMPA). OMPA is a state governmental joint action agency created by the legislature to serve cities and towns that own and operate their electrical distribution systems. Courtesy of Edmond Life & Leisure, November 8, 2001.
Click here to read more.
Palm new Oklahoma Energy Board chairman
Jim Palm, president of Crescent Exploration in Edmond, has been elected to a two-year term as the fifth chairman of the Oklahoma Energy Resources Board. The agency’s purpose is to conduct environmental restoration of abandoned well sites and to educate Oklahomans on the importance of the petroleum industry. Courtesy of The Edmond Sun, November 11, 2001.
Upcoming Business Events
"What Your Web Developer Isn't Telling You"
The Commerce Development Center, a division of Francis Tuttle's Business and Industry Services, in partnership with the Edmond Chamber of Commerce and the Edmond Economic Development Authority, invites you to attend another in their series of eBusiness Seminars: "What Your Web Developer Isn't Telling You.” The lunch seminar is scheduled from noon to 1 p.m. Nov. 14 at Francis Tuttle's Bruce Gray Center, located at the southeast corner of NW 150th and Portland Ave. (Hefner Parkway). Discover what the large companies already know about the Internet. Play with the Big Boys without the cost. The seminar will be presented by Rob Talbot of Talbot Services. Cost is $10 and registration is required. Register online at http://www.ft-cdc.com/cgi-bin/SemList.cgi?section=&cat=eBusiness or call 717-4745.
Chamber Luncheon
The Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce November Luncheon is set for 11:45 a.m. Nov. 20 at the UCO Ballroom in the University Center. Kati Schmidt, special events director of the Chamber and owner of Corporate Academy is the speaker. Kati will share dining, networking and business protocol tips. Cost is $10. RSVP by calling 341-2808 or e-mail kschmidt@edmondchamber.com.
SBIR/STTR workshop offered
The Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology (OCAST) and the Edmond Economic Development Authority will host a free Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant/Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grant Phase I workshop. The workshop is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Nov. 27, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Nov. 28 and 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Nov. 29 at the Edmond Economic Development Authority, 825 E. 2nd Street. To register, call Dan Luton at 524-1357 ext. 232 or e-mail dluton@ocast.state.ok.us. No reservations will be accepted after Nov. 23.
Real Estate Update
October 2001 Commercial Building Permits
Click here to view a list of new commercial building permits from the city of Edmond.
Courtesy of Edmond Life & Leisure, November 8, 2001.
Stock TickerEdmond area investment opportunities
Click here for up to the minute stock information on Edmond public companies.
The E-journal has limited advertising space available. The links will be offered on a first come first serve basis. Please contact Ray Hibbard at Edmond Media Publishing, 340-3311 or e-mail ray@edmondpaper.com for more information.Please forward the E-journal to friends and co-workers. New readers, click here to subscribe.
If you prefer not to receive the E-journal each week, click here to unsubscribe.
Editor Contact Information:
Allison Pumphrey
Director of Public Relations & Marketing
Edmond Economic Development Authority
405.340.0116
ap@eeda.com
