Ted Allison

💼 Insurance Programs for Members: Access life, health, and retirement plans, flexible benefits, and competitive business coverage. 🌟 Learn more about these programs at ACECok.org #JoinACEC #BusinessGrowth #Insurance #ACEC #OklahomaEngineers #BusinessofEngineering

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ATTENTION SELECT OKLAHOMA MEMBERS! The Deadline to apply for 2025 Select Oklahoma Economic Development Education Scholarships has been extended to noon on November 5. Economic development education is a priority for Select Oklahoma. Practitioners benefit from a comprehensive learning pathway, starting with the Heartland Economic Development Course (HEDC), continuing through sector-specific training at the University of Oklahoma OU Economic Development Institute (OU-EDI), and advancing to the Advanced Economic Development Leadership (AEDL) program. This progression ultimately leads to Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) status through the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), equipping professionals with the skills needed to enhance their careers, communities, organizations, and the State. Guidelines to apply: - Applicant must be a current member of Select Oklahoma - Financial need will be considered. - Registration, Meals, hotel, and travel arrangements are not a part of the scholarship and are the responsibility of the applicant and/or their organization. APPLY for registration assistance from Select Oklahoma by noon on November 5. https://lnkd.in/gVSW3_A3

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The Cherokee Nation is expanding its housing programs significantly with the signing of the Cherokee Nation Housing, Jobs, and Sustainable Communities Act by Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. This legislation provides $40 million every three years for tribal housing development, aiming to provide housing security and homeownership opportunities for Cherokee citizens on the reservation. ➡️ Significant Investment in Housing: The legislation commits $40 million every three years indefinitely to fund new housing projects for tribal citizens, enhancing housing options beyond federal funding, which Chief Hoskin Jr. deems inadequate. ➡️ Galitsode Housing Subdivision: The newly completed 23-acre Galitsode subdivision in Tahlequah offers 24 homes, each with a two-car garage, storm shelters, and a playground, with plans for a multi-purpose court and pollinator gardens. ➡️ Lease-to-Own Homeownership: Cherokee citizens can access homeownership through a 30-year lease-to-own program with monthly payments of around $600, a cost-saving alternative to conventional renting. ➡️ Future Developments: Plans include building additional subdivisions on 26 other sites within the Cherokee Reservation, as well as adding community amenities to support sustainable living environments. ➡️ Addressing Housing Insecurity: Cherokee citizens previously living in less secure housing, such as trailers, are finding stability and safety in the new homes, equipped with storm shelters, energy-efficient insulation, and spacious yards. This expansion reflects the Cherokee Nation’s commitment to addressing housing needs for its citizens independently and sustainably. Follow for the latest updates! #cherokeenation #tribalhousing #nativecommunities #affordablehousing #housingexpansion

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BG Reads | October 30, 2024 Today's BG Reads include: 🟪 Report finds slashed site plan review times, with further improvements on tap (Austin Monitor) 🟪 Joe Rogan to interview Republican VP nominee JD Vance in Austin on Wednesday (Austin American-Statesman) 🟪 Auditor examines city’s shifting funding, expectations for Cultural Arts grants (Austin Monitor) 🟪 How local rules fuel high housing costs in Texas (Texas Tribune) 🟪 Two closing arguments show the stark choice between Trump and Harris (Associated Press) ✅ Check out all of today's curated BG Reads here-> https://lnkd.in/gpdu3bzY... ✅ Subscribe to the daily BG Reads email here -> https://lnkd.in/gAXh9t9B... The Bingham Group, LLC #austintx #texas #GovernmentRelations #GovernmentAffairs #lobbying #lobbyist #NewsUpdate #atxgov

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Meet Mike Thompson, President and CEO of ACEC Oklahoma. Mike is here to help support your engineering firm. Learn more at acecok.org #ACECOklahoma #JoinACEC

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Our Managing Director - Oklahoma, John Riesenberg, recently represented Stardust Power ($SDST) at The State Chamber of Oklahoma Fly-In in Washington D.C. "We had the great opportunity to discuss issues affecting Oklahoma businesses, hear from the Congressional delegation, and network with Oklahoma's business and government leaders," John shared. As we develop America's largest lithium refinery in Muskogee, these conversations are crucial. We're not just refining lithium – we're advocating for policies that support domestic clean energy production and drive economic growth in Oklahoma. Follow us for more insights as we continue to power America's sustainable energy future. #StardustPower #SDST #Lithium #AmericanEnergyIndependence

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Work Ready Shawnee Launches $6.1 Employment Center Through Work Ready Oklahoma Work Ready Shawnee is proud to announce a groundbreaking workforce development system, with an investment of $6.1 million over five years. The contract was awarded by Oklahoma Human Services and will be led by Kris Steele, Liz Young, Keisha Autrey, and Lynde Gleason. The Work Ready Oklahoma contract will provide essential workforce development resources locally. Program participants will attend comprehensive workshops tailored for various populations, including low-income individuals and families, historically unemployed or underemployed individuals, low-skilled workers, individuals with a criminal background or those reentering society after incarceration. In its inaugural year, the program will serve at least 100 community members, with plans for continuous expansion in coming years. Participant recruitment will begin in August 2024, with services starting in September 2024. Central to this initiative is the Work Ready Oklahoma Employment Center in Shawnee, Oklahoma—or Work Ready Shawnee. “Work Ready Shawnee is committed to strengthening families by helping low-income individuals gain livable wages through stable, quality employment,” said Kris Steele, Program Director. “This approach not only prioritizes financial and family stability but also contributes to the growth and vitality of our local community.” For seven years, Work Ready Oklahoma has successfully provided services in the Oklahoma City metro area. In 2022, WRO expanded its reach to rural Oklahoma, opening Employment Centers in McIntosh, Muskogee and Pittsburg counties. The pilot program reported impressive outcomes. Between January and October 2022, the pilot sites placed 164 individuals into jobs, with 60% of these (96 individuals) landing remote positions. This effort has the potential to generate an added $6 million in annual wages—a significant boost for the local economy. The positive outcomes achieved in these pilot locations demonstrated the value of extending the program across Oklahoma. Work Ready Shawnee priorities include: ⦁ Equipping vulnerable Oklahomans with information, coaching and connections for self-sufficiency. ⦁ Assisting low-income Oklahomans in finding and maintaining consistent, gainful employment within the community. ⦁ Establishing connections between Oklahomans and a network of livable-wage job opportunities, both virtually and through local partnerships. ⦁ Providing access to training programs and employment initiatives to enhance self-sufficiency and promote stable, healthy families. ⦁ Collaborating to ensure resources from SNAP Employment & Training programs, Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act programs and other funded employment programs are available to low-income families. Learn more about the program at [www.workreadyoklahoma.com](https://lnkd.in/eKW3CqhH)  [Work Ready Okl](https://lnkd.in/eKW3CqhH)

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Sign up for COSA Economic Development newsletter! Link below! #cosa #edd #smallbusiness #smallbusinessisbigbusiness

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We're kicking off the New Year with more highlights from North America’s Top 50 Economic Developer Award! Who better to start us off than Kim Wilmes, Senior Vice President of Economic Development at the Tulsa Regional Chamber? We asked Kim a few questions about her career in economic development. Here’s what she had to say: Q: How has economic development changed since you entered the field? A: I’ve been in the industry for 22 years, and back then, incentives were the name of the game. Today, it’s all about site readiness and workforce. One thing that hasn’t changed is the importance of differentiated marketing.   Q: What is your favorite characteristic of your community or region? Why? A: Collaboration. The Tulsa region is filled with community pride and a strong commitment to working together to build a prosperous economy, especially when it comes to embracing and elevating diversity in the area.   Q: What led you to economic development? What’s kept you here? A: I fell into the industry because I was intrigued by marketing a place. I’ve stayed because of the profound impact a good-paying job can have on a family. It’s fulfilling to know I’ve played a small role in creating opportunities with generational impact. Do you know someone who should be recognized as a Top 50 Economic Developer for 2025? Nominate a colleague, boss, or yourself here: https://lnkd.in/gJyVPezs #economicdevelopment #econdev #siteselection

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Drivers in Plano know the City is investing in its infrastructure. Here's the latest on what is being done to improve Legacy Drive, a major east-west roadway.

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💡The #2024 #Energy #Apprenticeship #Career & Resource Expo will bring together employers, #education institutions, resource providers, and career seekers under one roof! Register today by scanning the QR code! #LouisianaWorks #LAWorks

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💡The #2024 #Energy #Apprenticeship #Career & Resource Expo will bring together employers, #education institutions, resource providers, and career seekers under one roof! Register today by scanning the QR code! #LouisianaWorks #LAWorks

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Great news!! INPOWERD's NERC 693 O&P Boot Camp (Course INP-693) has been approved under the NERC "System Operator Certification & Credential Maintenance Program". System Operators who participate in the Boot Camp will be awarded 12 CEH's.

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A new initiative by the Oklahoma Department of Commerce aims to simplify the process of starting and running small businesses in the state through a centralized online portal called the Business Hub.

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Looking to start or grow your business in Oklahoma?   Check out the new Oklahoma Business Hub for all the information you need to plan, launch and operate a small business!   Don't forget: Small businesses can also bid on statewide contracts and become state suppliers, increasing growth opportunities for Oklahoma entrepreneurs.   Visit the Business Hub: oklahoma.gov/business.

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If Downtown is Tulsa’s economic engine, then housing is that engine’s fuel. Let’s check under the hood with a few quick takeaways from the year’s State of Downtown Tulsa report, via the Downtown Tulsa Partnership: ⦿ Visitors to Downtown have exceeded pre-pandemic levels, increasing to 2.15 million in 2023 from 2.12 million in 2019. ⦿ Demand for Downtown housing is expected to continue to rise. ⦿ Downtown residents love their neighborhood! In a survey, 79% responded “yes” when asked if they would be interested in participating in a neighborhood association or group of neighbors. Read more about the State of Downtown report here: https://bit.ly/3xSB47h

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The Federal Reserve Board is expected to announce its first rate cut in four years, but the size of the reduction remains uncertain. Experts anticipate either a 25 or 50-basis-point decrease as the economy continues to slow down. Economists like Benjamin Keen from the University of Oklahoma are leaning toward a 25-basis-point cut, while some former Fed officials argue for a more aggressive reduction. Story by: Jeff Elkins #FederalReserve #InterestRates #Inflation #Economy #MonetaryPolicy #RateCut #CPI #EconomicOutlook

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West Texas has seen some tough, dry years, but I get to share some encouraging news that makes me very grateful. Our recent rain has had a direct impact on the lakes that supply Midland with surface water. This is not an official report from the CRMWD, but information our Utilities Department gathered from the USGS and Water Data for Texas. Let's start with the challenging part. Despite significant rainfall near Lake Spence, we've seen only a modest rise of just under a foot—about 5,000 acre-feet of water storage. But, upstream stream flows have surged dramatically in the past week, jumping from 377 to 2,370 ft³/s. We're expecting more lake level increases soon. Lake Thomas water storage more than doubled, from 33,000 acre-feet to 76,000 acre-feet. And finally, the most notable gain has been at Lake Ivie, where Midland holds a 16% ownership. The lake saw an increase of over 50,000 acre-feet, the largest of the three. With moderate upstream flows still ongoing, we expect further gains in the coming days. Altogether, based on CRMWD’s July reservoir estimates, the recent rainfall event has increased our combined lake capacities by 38.5%. It’s a much-needed boost to our water supply. Thank you, God, for the rain.

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