You’ve heard of Oklahoma City. But have you HEARD?

Because Oklahoma City has been making some Likewise, the list of reasons you should relocate noise. National rankings in 10 different quality- your business to Oklahoma City is growing – almost of-life categories. Billions of dollars in city and as quickly as the reasons why people love living here. education system improvements. The fastest- growing entertainment district in the Southwest. The following pages will introduce you to the 10-county And the list goes on. region that is greater Oklahoma City. And what you’re about to discover is a city that has rediscovered its strengths – and redefined itself for the future.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

BOOMING IN ENERGY 1 OKC: PERFECTLY SITUATED FOR BUSINESS 7

BOOMING IN BIOTECHNOLOGY 3 QUALITY PEOPLE 10

BOOMING IN AVIATION QUALITY PLACE 12 AND AEROSPACE 5 THE ART OF PROGRESS 14 2

BOOMING IN ENERGY

With Americans focused on cleaner energy and domestic resources for “People increasingly want to move People often describe Oklahomans the way for the great things that are supplying it, the oil and natural gas industries are in the spotlight – and here, jobs are opening and there as the friendliest people they’ve ever happening in Oklahoma City – and Oklahoma City is home to two of the largest independent natural gas will be continuous growth,” said met – and in our state, money goes that means a positive business producers in the country, Devon Energy and Chesapeake Energy, as well as Tom Ward, Chairman and CEO of farther, commutes are shorter and climate that’s open to change and many leading drilling and production companies. SandRidge Energy. Word on the housing is less expensive. That’s an growth. As a business leader, you quality of life in Oklahoma City has appealing formula for a great place can position yourself in a city that’s According to Aubrey McClendon, Chairman and CEO of Chesapeake Energy, definitely spread, as more and more to live and work. small enough that you can make a Oklahoma City is one of the most important energy cities in the country today, people realize the appeal of a place difference, but big enough that you second only to Houston. With its position in the current marketplace and that has all of the conveniences of Unity between city leaders, can meet and exceed your goals. potential for industry leadership in the future, Oklahoma City has found its a big city, but few of the hassles. corporations and citizens has led place among the list of vital energy cities.

The Weatherford Wind Energy Center Chesapeake Energy campus in Oklahoma City

“MORE THAN $5 billion in public- and private-sector investment “97% of our natural gas needs are met from north america … OKLAHOMA has a lot of it and I think has literally transformed Oklahoma City.” oklahoma city can increasingly be seen as the center of the universe for america’s onshore -Larry Nichols, Chairman and CEO, Devon Energy Corporation natural gas industry.” -Aubrey McClendon, Chairman and CEO, Chesapeake Energy Corporation

Rendering of future Devon Energy headquarters 3

BOOMING IN BIOTECHNOLOGY

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a growth of more than 28% in the U.S. biotech industry by 2014, and Oklahoma is positioned to be a major player in facilitating that growth. Undeniably, one of the most significant factors in Oklahoma City’s biotech boom is the powerful symbiotic relationship between entrepreneurs, clinical researchers, academic investigators, and public and private investors. Presbyterian Health Foundation Research Park

“OKLAHOMA CITY HAS A VIBRANT AND FOCUSED TECHNOLOGY VENTURE COMMUNITY.” -Michael Moradi, Founder and Managing Director, Venture Development Associates, LLC

In recent years, some of the most susceptibility to Alzheimer’s disease, industry. PHF supports a variety of significant medical advances and as well as two other major medical health-related activities, including life-saving medicines have been breakthroughs – a diagnostic blood recruitment of research scientists and developed in Oklahoma City-based test for rheumatoid arthritis and a provision of research and equipment The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center labs and facilities. Researchers drug to combat septicemia, which is grants. They provide more than at Oklahoma Medical Research now used in ICUs worldwide. 700,000 square feet of lab and office “WE’VE HAD An EXPLOSION IN … THIS FIELD DURING THE PAST DECADE OR SO. Foundation (OMRF), one of the most space to more than 50 companies WE’RE IN THE MIDDLE OF A REVOLUTION HERE IN OKLAHOMA CITY .” respected independent medical According to OMRF president, and agencies, accommodating the -Dr. Joe Ferreti, Senior Vice President, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center research institutes nationwide, Dr. Steve Prescott, “there are a lot of research and development process, lead the discovery of the genetic organizations far bigger than ours … then helping to develop and expedite more than $3.5 billion per year. And Also on the horizon: a new facility, in 2010; and a new research mechanism responsible for that have never discovered anything the means by which that technology that’s only the beginning – in the Oklahoma Diabetes Center, funded tower for OMRF that will double even approaching the magnitude of goes from the lab to the marketplace. past 15 years, OUHSC’s funding from by nearly $30 million in private and its space. OKC is one of the country’s rising biotech communities. this in a practical sense.” the National Institutes of Health has public money; a new five-story, OUHSC, comprised of seven medical leaped significantly from $6 million $38-million facility for the Dean With a world-class caliber of research In addition to OMRF, Oklahoma City is schools, has benefited from PHF’s to $53 million. McGee Eye Institute – one of the facilities and wet lab space, abundant home to The University of Oklahoma efforts, with more than $65 million in National Institutes of Health’s funding opportunities and collaborative Health Sciences Center (OUHSC) and grants for medical research. In turn, OUHSC has doubled its research top 10 facilities for vision research efforts by legislators to enhance the Presbyterian Health Foundation the 30 institutions on its campus space in the past eight years, and over grant funding; the opening of the progress, you could say Oklahoma City (PHF) – equally innovative and employ more than 15,000 people the next three years plans nearly OU Cancer Institute, a $120-million has biotechnology down to a science. leading organizations in the biotech with a combined general revenue of $350 million in capital improvements. clinical research and treatment 5 6

BOOMING IN AVIATION Strong partnerships between as possible for the 3.7 million OKLAHOMA CITY’S education and training facilities have passengers it serves every year. AND AEROSPACE helped build and prepare a highly INDUSTRY LEADERS: proficient workforce, through a shared Commercially, carriers serving Will With 265 public- and private-sector aviation and aerospace firms, • FAA Mike Monroney vision to improve the overall quality, Rogers World Airport report average Oklahoma is now one of the top 10 states in traditional aerospace Aeronautical Center • Northrop Grumman effectiveness and efficiency of public increases in freight transportation of occupation employment. Around 38,000 workers make up our • Pratt & Whitney aviation and aerospace education more than 13%, and more than 16% in industry, generating an estimated $3.3 billion in goods and services • Boeing programs. As an added benefit, inbound freight. and $1.9 billion in income. Our state ranks 12th nationally in the • Jet Service Enterprises • educational institutions in Oklahoma number of aerospace engineers, fifth in aircraft mechanics and ARINC • AAR Corp. have access to close and frequent In fact, recent government reports service technicians, and eighth in avionic technicians when using interaction and communication with indicate that Oklahoma’s exports have occupation-based data that includes federal employees. Will Rogers World Airport private- and public-sector industry increased by 72% since 2003, helping partners such as Boeing, the Federal our state retain industrial facilities oklahoma has a strong aerospace infrastructure, with 54 state-of-the-art training centers across the state. Aviation Administration (FAA) and and its manufacturing strength at Leading the way is Tinker Air Force aerospace manufacturing and Tinker Air Force Base. a time when many other states are Base – the largest group of civilian production facility in the world, experiencing decline. According to PROGRAMS AT OKLAHOMA’S Air Force personnel in the U.S., and is the result of a $54-million bond At the hub of Oklahoma City’s aviation Manufacturers’ News, Oklahoma’s TECHNOLOGY CENTERS, COLLEGES Oklahoma’s largest single-site issue passed by voters, and more According to Greater Oklahoma industry is Will Rogers World Airport – machinery and equipment AND UNIVERSITIES OFFER employer, with an annual statewide than $50 million in renovations by City Chamber President and CEO with approximately 10,000 employees manufacturing sector is up 1.5% TRAINING, CERTIFICATES AND economic impact of close to $4 billion. the Air Force. Best of all, space Roy H. Williams, “The MROTC strongly and 67 tenants, including the Federal since 2007, with more than 42,000 DEGREES IN ALL THE NECESSARY in the Tinker Aerospace Complex complements Tinker AFB’s military Transfer Center, ARINC, Metro Tech people employed by manufacturing SPECIALTIES, INCLUDING: In recent years, several new state- is available to private companies aviation emphasis, significantly Aviation Career Center and Southwest in Oklahoma City alone.

• Air Frame and Power Plant Technician of-the-art facilities have come to working on DOD projects, improving diversifies the region’s aerospace Airlines Reservation Center – as well • Nondestructive Testing fruition, demonstrating once again efficiency and creating synergy with activity and ultimately strengthens as Oklahoma City’s Foreign Trade The built-in work ethic that comes • Transport Aircraft the incredible synergy among their public partners. Oklahoma’s status as a national Zone (FTZ). from Oklahoma’s strong industrial • Flight Simulator Maintenance Technician officials, citizens and corporations maintenance hub.” history and the highly specialized • Avionics statewide. In 2008, Tinker announced Another significant new development A recent $110-million renovation skill level of today’s educated, • Piloting the opening of Tinker Aerospace – the Oklahoma Maintenance, Repair And the booming growth is not just a nearly doubled the size of the experienced workforce provide a • Aviation Sciences • Aviation Management Complex (TAC) – a 430-acre facility and Overhaul Technology Center trend – the foundations are in place to terminal, as well as expanded powerful pool of workers that is • Aerospace Administration that houses some of the 76th (MROTC) – facilitates private contract keep the momentum going well into and updated amenities to make difficult to match – in a city that • Quality Control Maintenance Wing operations and modifications on Air Force E-3 the future. Nearly 400 of Oklahoma’s traveling as effortless and enjoyable makes it easy to do business. • Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering other Department of Defense (DOD) AWACS aircraft and, when complete, workers in aviation and aerospace workloads. The complex, considered the $500-million facility will include specialize in education and training, IN OKLAHOMA, ONE IN 10 EMPLOYEES DERIVEs INCOME FROM THE AVIATION the most advanced aviation and 17 hangars on more than 1.6 million while more than 550 are industry INDUSTRY, WITH AN INDUSTRIAL OUTPUT OF NEARLY $12.5 BILLION A YEAR. square feet of space. management professionals. 7

TOP OKLAHOMA CITY its kind in the nation, the Site Ready that provides seamless educational Program provides site selectors with systems for all Oklahomans. PUBLIC AND PRIVATE assurance that certified sites are EMPLOYERS: available for immediate sale or lease, Other innovative business incentives • State of Oklahoma that they are ready to build on with all include our award-winning online GIS • Tinker Air Force Base utilities in place, that they are pre- application, Economic Development • OU – Norman Campus • U.S. Postal Service permitted and planned, and that they Information System (OKCEDIS), • INTEGRIS Health are clear of regulatory issues. which offers immediate access to all • OU Health Sciences Center • Oklahoma City Public Schools information relevant to expansions • FAA Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center Oklahoma is home to the nationally and relocations; our local Strategic • City of Oklahoma City Overnight • OU Medical Center If a low-cost business environment and an educated, talented and recognized Training for Industry Investment Program (SIP), offering • OGE Energy Corp. motivated workforce are central to your business … Oklahoma City’s Program (TIP), providing free incentives to companies who sell • AT&T same-day • central location might just be the perfect choice. Equally distant from Chesapeake Energy customized training and resources their goods and services outside of • Mercy Health Center both coasts, we are quite literally the crossroads of the U.S., with our to qualifying new and expanding the metro area, based on the number • Hobby Lobby • capital city sitting at the heart of three major national highways: Devon Energy Oklahoma companies, so that a fully of new jobs created; and the state • UPS • Hertz Corporation • I-35 North-South NAFTA corridor prepared and qualified workforce is in Quality Jobs Program, providing • Dell • I-40 East-West place from day one. This program is employers with quarterly cash • Cox Communications • I-44 Northeast-Southwest a service of Oklahoma’s Department payments of up to 5% of new taxable of Career and Technology Education payroll for up to 10 years. “when we began our nationwide search, we sought a welcoming community with a skilled workforce and vital economy. we found all that and more in oklahoma city.” -Paula Downey, President, AAA of Northern California, Nevada and Utah

Our diverse economy has set in climate that will allow your business Corporations of all sizes are motion the tremendous economic to thrive – now and well into the future. discovering Oklahoma City and growth that is currently outpacing Our 17 public and private colleges and taking advantage of the many the national average. In addition universities, as well as our nationally benefits of relocating, expanding to strong energy and agriculture acclaimed career and technology or developing here. In addition to sectors, Oklahoma City’s Gross system, ensure a constantly growing the convenient central location, Metropolitan Product is strong in and developing workforce that is Oklahoma City offers many trade, transportation and utilities, ready to work – and with enrollment incentives to make your move more professional and business services, exceeding 100,000 each year, the influx feasible, including the Oklahoma government, manufacturing, financial of available workers is as varied and Site Ready Program. Established in activities, education and health full of promise as the Oklahoma City 2006 by the Oklahoma Department

services, and more. It’s a business economy. of Commerce, and among the first of AAA broke ground on a new operations center in Oklahoma City, after extensive research of cities nationwide. 10 MA JOR CORPORATIONS IN OKLAHOMA CITY: QUALITY PEOPLE

• Devon Energy • HOBBY LOBBY A quality workforce doesn’t just happen. In Oklahoma City, our leaders • Chesapeake Energy • Quad Graphics understand that you have to lay quality groundwork – and they’re willing • Sonic Corporation • AT&T to make the investment it takes to make good people great. • INTEGRIS Health • DELL • SANDRIDGE ENERGY • AMERICAN FIDELITY ASSUANCE Corporations in Oklahoma City are driven by the same sense of coming • Braum’s Ice Cream • UPS together for the benefit of everyone – company leaders not only support & Dairy Stores • FARMERS INSURANCE GROUP the community, they get involved. As just one example, Oklahoma City • Love’s Country Stores • CMI TEREX citizens and leaders voted overwhelmingly to put into place a 10-year, nearly $700-million educational initiative – MAPS for Kids – allocating funds for improvements to suburban schools, as well as for the replacement or renovation of every school within the district. This effort came on the heels of a citizen-approved $356-million renovation called MAPS (Metropolitan Area Projects) that brought about the creation or renovation

Sonic Corporation headquarters on the Bricktown canal “for me, getting involved in maps for kids was a realization of what we all could potentially achieve – a once-in-a-lifetime “THE GREAT THING ABOUT OKLAHOMA CITY IS THAT IT IS LARGE “THERE IS A GREAT WORKFORCE HERE. IT’S A opportunity to drive a very different experience for our city.” ENOUGH TO SUPPORT AND PROMOTE NEW BUSINESS, BUT IS GREAT PLACE TO RAISE A FAMILY … BETWEEN -Cliff Hudson, CEO, Sonic Corporation Cliff Hudson, CEO, Sonic Corporation ‘SMALL’ ENOUGH TO GIVE ENTREPRENEURS AN INVALUABLE THE SCHOOL SYSTEM AND THE PEOPLE OF THIS

NETWORK OF SCIENTIFIC AND BUSINESS PROFESSIONALS.” STATE.” -Ed Evans, Stelera Wireless of nine cultural, recreational and community and City Hall,” said City the unique city that it is. -Jay Martin, Director, Advanced Systems Group, OrthoCare Innovations educational projects, and spurred Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett. Relationships between city leaders an additional $3 billion in private “It’s a relationship that preceded MAPS and citizens. Relationships between BY THE investments. MAPS now serves as a and is a key reason that Oklahoma business leaders and the people with OKC BUSINESS NUMBERS model for other cities and is on record City has ascended so quickly.” whom they live and work. The people as the nation’s largest-ever downtown of Oklahoma City are practical, revitalization effort financed with a Relationships – at every level – are a down-to-earth, hard-working … and 1,172,300 622.5 576,967 voter-approved sales tax. large part of what makes Oklahoma make quality, reliable employees. MSA POPULATION SQUARE MILES QUALITY WORKERS “Throughout its entire history, “WHEN I STARTED MY BUSINESS 20 YEARS AGO, I ALWAYS HAD THE FEELING Oklahoma City’s great achievements THAT PEOPLE WERE CHEERING FOR ME TO SUCCEED. [WE DO] BUSINESS IN have come about through a close ALMOST EVERY STATE, BUT THE PEOPLE OF OKLAHOMA ARE ALWAYS THE 17 120,379 association between the business BEST TO WORK WITH.” -David Box, Owner, Box Talent Agency COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES COLLEGE STUDENTS 11 12

QUALITY PLACE

The pride of the people in Oklahoma City is clearly shining as their city continuously enjoys recognition on regional and national levels. What has typically been regarded as a quiet Southwestern town is now stirring up attention and making a name for itself alongside much larger, more “famous” cities. In little more than a year, Oklahoma City was ranked in some very impressive categories: Sailing into an Oklahoma sunset at Lake Hefner

“THERE ARE SEVERAL FACTORS, • More than 120,000 students attend area colleges, strengthening Most Recession-Proof City – Forbes Oklahoma City’s professional future. INCLUDING EASY COMMUTES, in Home-Value Gains – Federal Government • Approximately 56,000 workers are currently underemployed and are QUALITY OF LIFE, VALUE OF Most Affordable Housing Market – BizJournals.com not utilizing their education or skills, making them eager to find work to which their skills and training can be applied. THE DOLLAR, GREAT SCHOOLS, #4 Best Cities For Commuters – Forbes

• Nearly 2,000 federal government employees enter the workforce ENTERTAINMENT, ETC. #4 Least Stressful Cities – BizJournals.com each year upon exiting Tinker Air Force Base, all skilled in various #7 Cleanest Cities in America – Forbes disciplines, including production, technology, management, BUT I THINK THAT OKLAHOMA’S #19 Best Cities For Jobs – Forbes computers and electronics. BEST RESOURCE IS THE SAME • More than 6,000 spouses of military personnel are available for full- #28 Best Places To Raise A Family – The Today Show or part-time work, most of who have at least two years of college and/or THING THAT MAKES IT A GREAT experience in the shared services or customer service industries. PLACE TO START AND GROW A • Due in part to our low cost of living, a large percentage of retirees in BUSINESS. IT’S THE PEOPLE – Oklahoma City stay here after retirement, making them viable part- OKC LIVING BY THE NUMBERS time employees. HARD-WORKING AND HONEST • In the past 15 years, Oklahoma City’s – WHICH IS VERY IMPORTANT TO COST OF LIVING POINTS BY WHICH OKLAHOMA labor force has grown by an average MINUTES OF AVERAGE INDEX (13% BELOW CITY’S PERSONAL INCOME of more than 7,400 new working- ANY BUSINESS, REGARDLESS COMMUTE TIME age residents each year, bringing NATIONAL AVERAGE) GROWTH RATE IS OUTPACING 87.4 20 2 THE production, technological, managerial OF THE INDUSTRY.” NATIONAL AVERAGE and clerical skills to the labor force. -Chad Richison, CEO, Paycom ANNOUNCEMENT PROCLAIMING OKC’S 1NBA TEAM, THE OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER! 13 14

It’s no secret that Oklahoma City is booming. But residents here have never been known to be THE ART OF PROGRESS content simply with what is. Already, Oklahoma Oklahoma City has become a City is looking to what will be. Current talk is People outside of Oklahoma may be quick to tell you that we’re best known sophisticated city over the past few years, about the “Core to Shore” redevelopment of 750 for our country-western roots. with great restaurants, countless cultural acres just south of downtown to the riverfront, opportunities and easy access to excellent adding parks, visitor amenities and mixed-use And while we proudly tip our hats to the higher education. developments. And to maximize the currently history that brought us to today, we are booming visitor economy, an effort is currently equally proud of the artsy, culturally Collaborative community support has underway to reposition the city to the travel and savvy, cosmopolitan vibe that is finding inspired the founding of the Oklahoma business industry and set in motion the next its way into every corner of our city. Creativity Project – a formal organization wave of development. Oklahoma City’s “Core to Shore” redevelopment project illustration Oklahoma City Museum of Art

OKLAHOMA CITY’S BRICKTOWN IS THE FASTEST-GROWING ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT IN THE SOUTHWEST. “you have the opportunity to do things you’re passionate about and still can figure out a way, from a business perspective, where everyone wins.” -Scott Booker, Manager, The Flaming Lips How does Oklahoma City do it? How do people here not only dream big, but actually put those dreams into motion and make them a reality? It’s in the vote: In the past 10 years, Oklahoma City residents have overwhelmingly passed every major initiative set forth by city leaders. It’s clear that the people of Oklahoma City don’t just share a city – they share a passion.

Syndicated Columnist Kathleen Parker of the Washington Post Writers Group summed it up recently when she wrote about Oklahoma City’s attitude and new identity: “In a time of cynicism and partisanship, it is refreshing to find a community so united in common goals, where

Water taxis on the Bricktown canal everyone walks the walk.” Wayne Coyne of Oklahoma City’s own The Flaming Lips 15

that will empower the visionaries in our community to lead us toward becoming a truly creative state. “As we enter our second century, we want to empower all Oklahomans to develop their capacities for creativity and innovation,” said Burns Hargis, board chairman of the project. “We want to facilitate the growth of an entrepreneurial economy that will stimulate new careers, companies and industries, and we want to make possible the further development of world-class cultural and educational opportunities.” Chesapeake Boathouse and the Devon Discovery, an Oklahoma River Cruiser, on the Oklahoma River

Paseo Arts District “ALL THIS GREAT ART – THE MUSIC BEING MADE, THE BOOKS BEING WRITTEN, THE VISUAL ART BEING CREATED – That energy has set into motion a encouraging creativity in general. On a local scale, Oklahoma City’s HELPS MAKE OKLAHOMA CITY AN EXCITING, REWARDING PLACE TO LIVE FOR EVERYONE.” chain reaction – not just within city Oklahoma is the only U.S. state Bricktown entertainment district is -Roy Williams, President, Greater Oklahoma City Chamber limits, but also on a worldwide scale. currently recognized as a “District the selected site for the Academy In 2010, Oklahoma City will host the of Creativity.” Other districts include of Contemporary Music – the based The Flaming Lips. According training center for current and future a climate that welcomes a broad prestigious Creativity World Forum, Catalonia, Spain; Lombardy, Italy; first authorized U.S. version of to Booker, the school will be a Olympians. Executive Director of variety of outdoor activities with its bringing together people from all Shanghai, China; Quebec, Canada; Britain’s prestigious Academy of boon not only to aspiring music USA Canoe/Kayak David Yarborough four distinct seasons, family-friendly over the world to discuss integrating Flanders, Belgium; and more. The Contemporary Music. The Academy professionals, but also the growing said, “From an athlete’s perspective, lifestyle and ever-expanding cultural creativity within the education 2009 conference will be held in will be under the direction of Scott Oklahoma music scene. the course itself is exceptional. And and artistic opportunities, Oklahoma and business cultures and simply Stuttgart, Germany. Booker, manager of Oklahoma City- like the major European venues, City is a great place to live, work … On the sports front, the Oklahoma Oklahoma City’s is in a dynamic and play. River is attracting national attention urban center, making it easy to view as a world-class sports venue – the sport.” The organization also To learn more, please contact: and was selected to host the recently announced that they are Greater Oklahoma City Chamber 2008 U.S. Olympic team trials naming Oklahoma City as a National Economic Development [email protected] for Sprint Canoe/Kayak, used to Development and Education Center – 800.616.1114 determine the ranking of sprint the first of its kind in the nation. athletes that competed for the U.S. in the Olympic Games in Beijing. And With an NBA team ratcheting up the USRowing has announced Oklahoma level of quality sports, a growing

AT&T Bricktown Ballpark The Ford Center, home of the Oklahoma City Thunder City as the site for a new elite-level and thriving entertainment district, Stillwater

Kingfisher

Guthrie

Edmond Chandler El Reno

Yukon Oklahoma City

Mustang Shawnee Moore

Norman Tecumseh

Chickasha Purcell

123 Park Avenue • Oklahoma City, OK 73102 • 405-297-8900 • www.greateroklahomacity.com