Hot Headlines
Fallin describes Edmond economy as ‘dynamic’
Despite a nationwide economic slump, Edmond’s economy still looks strong, several officials said. Lt. Gov. Mary Fallin praised Edmond’s many initiatives to lure healthy, well-paying companies to the city, which in turn also benefits the state. “Edmond is one of the most dynamic leaders in the state,” Fallin said of its economic prowess. Edmond area job growth leapt ahead at 26.5 percent last year combined with a 5.85 percent increase in sales tax revenue, said Janet Yowell, EEDA executive director. Along with those extra jobs, the average household income is up 11 percent to $82,951 a year. That’s 75.7 percent growth in the last decade, Yowell said. Courtesy of The Edmond Sun, January 20, 2002.
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Demographic records set in Edmond
Edmond’s retail space expanded rapidly to set the city’s record of most store expansion in a year. In 2001 almost 450,000 square feet of retail space was built in Edmond. Super Target and Lowe’s are using most of this space. However, Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market, Kohl’s Department Store and Office Depot were other retailers new to Edmond this year.
Edmond will continue to be a prime spot for retail due to the growing population and disposable income. The city had a population of 68,315 in 2000 and estimates 72,475 in 2002. Edmond’s median household income was $58,929 in 2001, compared with $35,016 in Oklahoma City.
In addition to Edmond’s outstanding demographics is its highly educated population of 43.5 percent with four-year college degrees or above. In comparison, 19 percent of Oklahoma City’s population have a four-year college degree or above. Many more subjects of Edmond were discussed at the 2002 Economic Preview sponsored by The Edmond Economic Development Authority and American Bank & Trust at the University of Central Oklahoma. Courtesy of The Daily Oklahoman January 19, 2002.
The Business Beat
Companies retaining top talent
Although down from the record-setting heights of recent years, the demand for mid-to-upper level managers, high-level executives and professionals still exists according to the latest hiring survey conducted by Management Recruiters International, Inc. (MRI), a worldwide search and recruitment organization. The survey also found that even those companies who cannot add people are determined to maintain their current levels of staffing. Courtesy of Edmond Life & Leisure, January 17, 2002.
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Edmond bank changes its name
Seeking to shed the geographic limitations of its name, First National Bank of Edmond will become First Commercial Bank, effective Feb. 1, officials announced Tuesday. First National, chartered in 1996, merged with Rockwell Bank last October. The merger left First National with more assets in the Oklahoma City area than in Edmond, and officials felt a name change was necessary to reflect that fact and better identify the bank's niche in the financial world -- commercial real estate lending. Courtesy of The Journal Record, January 23, 2002.
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Crain joins Edmond firm
Brendan Crain has joined the Edmond certified public accounting firm Joshua Jenson. Brendan, originally from Seattle, graduated from Oklahoma Christian University in December with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. He served as an intern at the firm for three years. Courtesy of The Journal Record, January 22, 2002.
Eateries promotes Adams
Bill Adams has been promoted to area director of operations for Edmond-based Eateries Inc. Adams joined Eateries in August 1999 as a Garfield's general manager in Anderson, Ind. He has responsibility for four restaurants in Indiana. Eateries has 74 restaurants in 25 states. Courtesy of The Journal Record, January 16, 2002.
Retail Details
Retail sector stars in Edmond market
Commercial real estate development in the Edmond area may not keep pace with the prior year's strong growth, though the outlook for retail property will fare better than the broader region, speakers at a conference on the University of Central Oklahoma campus said. The comments were part of a broader economic forum sponsored by the Edmond Economic Development Authority and American Bank and Trust and attended by about 200 people. "The Edmond area (retail real estate) market is clearly the strongest submarket in our area," said Jeff Norman of John A. Henry & Co. Courtesy of The Journal Record, January 21, 2002.
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Downtown Dispatch
Program helps downtown become a destination
The Edmond Economic Development Authority’s Bricks and Clicks loan program provides interest free loans for downtown Edmond businesses to update their buildings or generate Web sites.
The “bricks” part of the program allows downtown business owners to remodel their buildings for a more historical fascia. This restoration will not only refurbish the historical value of the area but also increase the value of the buildings. “Bricks” will give downtown business owners an 18-month interest-free loan for 75 percent of the renovating project, not exceeding $10,000.
The next portion of the program, “clicks”, provides funds for the construction of Web sites for downtown Edmond businesses. These Web sites will help businesses stay competitive with stores that do business on the Internet. The new Web sites will also allow shoppers from other regions search the Web for quality shopping. The “Clicks” program will give interest-free loans for 75 percent of the cost to construct a Web site, not exceeding $5,000.
Downtown business owners interested in the Bricks and Clicks loan programs can contact Janet Yowell, Edmond Economic Development Authority executive director, at 340-0116. Courtesy of The Daily Oklahoman January 23, 2002.
On Campus
OC names new president
Dr. Mike E. O’Neal has been chosen to take the helm at Oklahoma Christian University, university officials announced Saturday. The university’s board of trustees selected O’Neal as OC’s fifth president Friday evening after a national search that garnered more than 60 applications and nominations. The decision was made public Saturday, said Don Millican, vice chairman of OC’s board of trustees and chairman of the presidential search committee. Courtesy of The Edmond Sun, January 20, 2002.
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Edmond Public Schools experience unusual enrollment increase
The rising enrollment rates of the Edmond Public Schools usually occur after summer vacation but the New Year brought different results. After holiday break Edmond Public Schools enrollment increased by 104 students. It is unusual to have such substantial growth between semesters. Memorial High School grew by 19 students, which was the largest increase inside the Edmond school system. North High School increased enrollment by 17 students and Santa Fe High School added 12 new students. The increase in Enrollment was a surprise among Edmond school officials. They are beginning to research where the new students are coming from so they can plan for future growth. The anticipated enrollment growth is between 175 and 225 students per year for the next several years. Courtesy of The Daily Oklahoman January 23, 2002.
City Spot
City names new assistant city planner
The city recently decided to hire a University of Central Oklahoma student to fill its open assistant city planner position. Kristi Anthony, 21, was announced recently as the new Planning Department employee. Anthony has been working in the department since July when former assistant city planner Marcy Hunt left the position. Anthony will become the full-time assistant planner in May, when she is expected to graduate from UCO with a degree in political science. Her degree studies have had an emphasis in public administration, she said. Courtesy of The Edmond Sun, January 17, 2002.
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Who's Who
Newly appointed board members
Courtesy of Edmond Life & Leisure, January 17, 2002.
Barry K. Moore – Kickingbird Golf Course
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Randel Shadid – Visual Arts Commission
Bonnie Smith – Visual Arts Commission
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Larry Travis – Convention & Tourism Advisory Board
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Upcoming Business Events
Web-based Customer Service
Organizations of all sizes are discovering the tremendous benefits of using e-business tools to assist in customer service. This non-technical executive briefing will demonstrate how organizations are using off-the-shelf software to offer higher quality and faster support to their clients -- while reducing total support costs. All attendees receive an e-Business Ideas Matrix containing dozens of ideas for utilizing customer service web applications. The seminar is from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 29 at the Bruce Gray Center, 3500 NW 150th St. in Oklahoma City. Click here to register online or call 330-0800.
Real Estate Update
December 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, January 17, 2002.
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
