PP, its not that the points aren't valid, its that the same posters post the exact same negative comments over and over and over again. On this thread, something potentially economically fantastic could happen in Tulsa, but it's become almost comically predictable the same posters come out of the shadows to say the same negative things. Everyone's aware of it, already. Maybe try posting something positive and uplifting for once or just stay quiet.
I hear you but it’s worth making these points and raising awareness. I love this state and I want to see it reach its full potential. It won’t if it sticks to the status quo.

Heard another rumor the decision was final & Tesla is going with Austin.

Dude, come on. There are a million threads on this site that cheerlead and cherish Oklahoma with many saying nothing but good things. Every time someone criticizes this state be it constructive or not the usual suspects jump on them.

DC Sooner and others usually post perfectly valid criticisms about the state and I highly doubt it is just to dump on the state. Many like me who often speak harshly about this state do so out of love not hate. It’s frustrating to see it and even more so the see the populous so in denial and quick to silence anyone who sees the grocery list of issues this place has because of the backwards mentality that runs rampant.

+1000

Heard another rumor the decision was final & Tesla is going with Austin.

I wouldn't be surprised if true, and it will possibly be at the same site Tesla considered in 2014 for a factory. But Tulsa and Oklahoma won't totally lose from looking good enough to come in 2nd place.

Heard another rumor the decision was final & Tesla is going with Austin.

Heard somewhat the opposite. The delay is Tulsa caught musks attention and slowed the whole thing down

Heard somewhat the opposite. The delay is Tulsa caught musks attention and slowed the whole thing down


Hear you bro... +1, +2, +3

Heard somewhat the opposite. The delay is Tulsa caught musks attention and slowed the whole thing down

this is what I heard while I was up there over the weekend

I hope that is true. That would be a big win for Oklahoma. Yuge.

Heard somewhat the opposite. The delay is Tulsa caught musks attention and slowed the whole thing down

I REALLY hope you are right, and I trust your sources more than mine TBH.

Heard another rumor the decision was final & Tesla is going with Austin.

I can tell you that this is not true. I have a close contact who works for the city of Tulsa, specifically to recruit businesses to the city. He told me Last week they expect a decision to be made in July. Also, he was very optimistic about our chances - won't go into too much detail but he was confident that if we do not get this plant, we will get one of the 4-5 they have planned in the future.

Heard somewhat the opposite. The delay is Tulsa caught musks attention and slowed the whole thing down
13 Tulsans had dinner with Musk 2 days before spacex launched. We are pitching Austin as "California in the middle of Texas" and it seems to be working. My gut still says Austin, but it's not a blowout by any means.

I was told that we started a one mile race against Austin, and they had a 3/4th mile head start. And while we may not be ahead, we have at least pulled up right to their heels. Again, coming from someone in the city of Tulsa who recruits companies for a living.

Also, was told the property they are proposing is not in Tulsa county.

Also, was told the property they are proposing is not in Tulsa county.

On TulsaNow there was talk about a potential site in Inola being considered. Any validity to that to your knowledge? I always assumed they'd want to be somewhat close-ish to the Port of Catoosa, but I have no idea how these things work.

Announce in July, have cars roll off by Jan 1. Aggressive.

I'm sure the employees who are building the plant are excited about the delays in the announcement.

I would think the Mid America Industrial Park would be a great location for it. Though that would require a big chunk of the land there, and building a brand new building from the ground up.

13 Tulsans had dinner with Musk 2 days before spacex launched. We are pitching Austin as "California in the middle of Texas"

That is so cringey.

https://electrek.co/2020/06/18/tesla-acquires-land-austin-build-factory/

Tesla acquires $5 million worth of land outside Austin to build new factory

That is so cringey.

Yet true. Elon’s trying to get out of California and is fed up with the political/business environment there...if Austin is much more similar to California than Tulsa is in that regard (which is almost indisputable), promote your strength.

Question for anybody. I know I hate Tulsa and it's leadership with a passion and most of the time I wish them nothing but the worst. But I'm unbiased with this question. How does this benefit OKC?
Nashville landed Nissan and it started a boom still going on today. Meanwhile, Memphis hasn't seen any positive effects at all. Nashville's population has increased by more than half a million. People are leaving Memphis for Nashville. Memphis went from a positive increase, before Nashville's boom, to a negative afterwards.
I'm not saying that will be us, but to assume this will help OKC just because it helps the state is wrong.

Question for anybody. I know I hate Tulsa and it's leadership with a passion and most of the time I wish them nothing but the worst. But I'm unbiased with this question. How does this benefit OKC?
Nashville landed Nissan and it started a boom still going on today. Meanwhile, Memphis hasn't seen any positive effects at all. Nashville's population has increased by more than half a million. People are leaving Memphis for Nashville. Memphis went from a positive increase, before Nashville's boom, to a negative afterwards.
I'm not saying that will be us, but to assume this will help OKC just because it helps the state is wrong.

1. Tax revenue. State govt would see a significant bump over time. All those added state govt jobs are in okc.
2. The supply chain and suppliers for that giga would be massive. So massive that some would locate to okc and just truck it the 90 miles. OKC has plenty of facilities sitting empty versus buying and building new in Tulsa.
3. Perception of Oklahoma in general.

The distance between Memphis & Nashville is similar to the distance between Oklahoma City and Dallas--roughly 200 miles driving distant.

https://oklahoman.com/article/5664888/tesla-could-get-more-than-60-million-in-tax-breaks-to-choose-site-in-travis-county

Yeah, Oklahoma can't come close to this...

Good points (IF) Telsa sees it your way. We're assuming the supply chain would use OKC infrastructure, but in reality it doesn't need to. The shipping radius in 2020 is 11 hours. So make Tulsa the epicenter and go 11 hours in any direction. Whoever will make their parts the cheapest in that bubble will be their main suppliers. I'm sort of on the fence as far as perception. Mercedes Benz is in Alabama, and the only perception that state has is when Birmingham went bankrupt.

I can tell you that this is not true. I have a close contact who works for the city of Tulsa, specifically to recruit businesses to the city. He told me Last week they expect a decision to be made in July. Also, he was very optimistic about our chances - won't go into too much detail but he was confident that if we do not get this plant, we will get one of the 4-5 they have planned in the future.

Sources in Tulsa aren't the same as sources inside Tesla. Tesla probably just hasn't notified Tulsa of the decision yet.

Sources in Tulsa aren't the same as sources inside Tesla. Tesla probably just hasn't notified Tulsa of the decision yet.

No wonder. On Twitter Musk said that "Tesla has an option to purchase this land, but has not exercised it."

https://electrek.co/2020/06/18/tesla-acquires-land-austin-build-factory/

Tesla acquires $5 million worth of land outside Austin to build new factory

Done Deal

https://oklahoman.com/article/5664888/tesla-could-get-more-than-60-million-in-tax-breaks-to-choose-site-in-travis-county

Yeah, Oklahoma can't come close to this...

Won’t be an issue. If they need to beat the Austin offer, they will.

It’s more do you actually want to come to Tulsa

Done Deal

Not according to Elon

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1273702016221540352


Tesla has an option to purchase this land, but has not exercised it


(edit: oops just saw that someone already posted that)

Won’t be an issue. If they need to beat the Austin offer, they will.

It’s more do you actually want to come to Tulsa

How can you say that? Where is OK going to be able to justify that, when they keep gutting the state budget?

Sources in Tulsa aren't the same as sources inside Tesla. Tesla probably just hasn't notified Tulsa of the decision yet.

He was asked on Twitter 5 hours ago if Tulsa was still in the mix, and replied "we are considering several options". Nothings been decided yet.

Good read


https://www.google.com/amp/s/mobile.reuters.com/article/amp/idUSKBN23P37Y

"Tesla told officials in Travis County, Texas, the automaker wants to invest about $1 billion to build a 4 million to 5 million square foot vehicle assembly plant employing 5,000 people on the grounds of what is now a cement operation near Austin. But it needs tax breaks to make the site competitive with an alternative location in Oklahoma, according to documents filed with Texas officials."

So looks like they are telling Austin to beat our best bid. Man, this is exciting stuff.

On TulsaNow there was talk about a potential site in Inola being considered. Any validity to that to your knowledge? I always assumed they'd want to be somewhat close-ish to the Port of Catoosa, but I have no idea how these things work.

Not sure about exact location, but that seems to line up with my information.

Beware of Musk just using Tulsa to get more taxpayer money like Amazon just did. Just don’t say you don’t like socialism if you’re for these government handouts to businesses.

https://electrek.co/2020/06/18/tesla-acquires-land-austin-build-factory/

Tesla acquires $5 million worth of land outside Austin to build new factory

Sounds like Tesla is just playing Tulsa to get as much in incentives as possible from Austin, a common ploy with these companies.

Sounds like Tesla is just playing Tulsa to get as much in incentives as possible from Austin, a common ploy with these companies.

Exactly.

Sounds like Tesla is just playing Tulsa to get as much in incentives as possible from Austin, a common ploy with these companies.

Which sucks, because it seems like Tulsa has done everything they can, but the writing was on the wall as soon as these two were announced as the finalist. Austin has so many large corporations i.e. Facebook, Google, Oracle, Dell, IBM, Amazon, Apple. Just an uphill battle the entire time, but good for Tulsa, they made a hell of an effort.

As they say, you miss 100% of the shots you don't take.

There are always things to be learned when you compete and that helps tremendously with the next opportunity.

As they say, you miss 100% of the shots you don't take.

There are always things to be learned when you compete and that helps tremendously with the next opportunity.

And, it still raises the profile to the city, and it sends a message to other businesses that there's something there to look at.

I don't think Tulsa was ever a "real" possibility. Pretty sure they were used the entire time just to leverage Austin. Tulsa would only be picked if Austin outright rejected them for whatever reason.

Still, I admire Tulsa trying. Both cities and the state as a whole should compete that fiercely more often.

As they say, you miss 100% of the shots you don't take.

There are always things to be learned when you compete and that helps tremendously with the next opportunity.

I agree. This was always a moonshot, but the fact that we are competing with the big boys and getting our name out there makes all the difference in the world. Who knows who else is paying attention, and the experience is highly valuable for the next big fish. There is also the high likelihood that Tulsa gets chosen down the road for a smaller facility as Tesla is rapidly expanding.

I think Tulsa would be a great place for a Tesla factory or any tech company. Oklahoma has to keep trying and I think they can get a few of these companies and really show why it is a good place for business.

I have worked at a few places that are national companies here in Oklahoma and the common factor is they want to grow their OKC/Norman offices because there is a good workforce and people don't mind moving here since they can own a home for their family.

How can you say that? Where is OK going to be able to justify that, when they keep gutting the state budget?

They don’t have to “justify” it. Tulsa offers incentives. Stitt calls a special session and hands out tax breaks and fee rebates. It’s not exactly rocket science.

I agree. This was always a moonshot, but the fact that we are competing with the big boys and getting our name out there makes all the difference in the world. Who knows who else is paying attention, and the experience is highly valuable for the next big fish. There is also the high likelihood that Tulsa gets chosen down the road for a smaller facility as Tesla is rapidly expanding.

Tulsa would be a good fit for a battery factory because of the port access.

I can’t applaud Tulsa enough for this whether they get it or not. They have a can do mentality and that’s what it takes to do great things. It’s part of the reason why Texas is Texas and Oklahoma is the way it is.

Tulsa would be a good fit for a battery factory because of the port access.

The rumored site they have been considering is the former PSO Black Fox site which sits next to the navigation channel in between Tulsa and Inola. It is a great location for a large manufacturing operation, whether it be Tesla or some other company.

^That site is already taken by the new Sofidel paper plant. Probably plenty of room in the vicinity, but then again that is true for most of the metro.

The rumored site they have been considering is the former PSO Black Fox site which sits next to the navigation channel in between Tulsa and Inola. It is a great location for a large manufacturing operation, whether it be Tesla or some other company.

Isn't that Sofidel?

Isn't that Sofidel?

Sofidel is only the eastern portion. The tract on the river is available and is set up to have a barge terminal.

The rumored site they have been considering is the former PSO Black Fox site which sits next to the navigation channel in between Tulsa and Inola. It is a great location for a large manufacturing operation, whether it be Tesla or some other company.

Wasn't a paper mill going in there?

Wasn't a paper mill going in there?

Here is a map that shows Sofidel and the other sites within the former PSO property that was originally going to be a nuclear power plant

https://www.tulsaport.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Inola-Announcement-10-10-19-map.jpg

whether inola or austin, i guess it's all the same...
https://static.wixstatic.com/media/324566_f5865ca7268d48ee9d903611d7ede865~mv2.jpg

Surely not.... right?

https://mobile.twitter.com/KOCODillon/status/1277641179140706305

Surely not.... right?

https://mobile.twitter.com/KOCODillon/status/1277641179140706305

It's probably the drone guys, Kratos. They manufacture here, HQ is in SD.

That makes more sense. And I guess when I saw "aerospace" I thought of Elon because of SpaceX, but Tesla would hardly be considered aerospace anyway. Doh.

A pretty great get, though. Tinker continues to be one of, if not THE, biggest assets for the State.

Regarding Tesla in Tulsa here's what I heard.

1. Austin and particularity Travis County pissed off some very high ups at Tesla. If there's 10 people who get input, they pissed off like #3-5. Musk is annoyed but not pissed yet. Those Telsa execs are loudly advocating long term Austin is simply California 2.0.
2. The grand gestures were received very well.
3. Lots of the oil money and companies in Tulsa (and one in OKC apparently) made calls and said they would be welcomed. The oil CEOs told Telsa they view the future that there's a need for both. This was received well.
4. Stitt and Musk talk a lot, Stitt promised OU and OSU would receive funding boosts to their engineering programs. Stitt has been full court press. (My opinion; this is exactly why you elect Stitt, if anyone can close the deal and sell Tulsa, it's the guy who built a massive company based on his sales ability)
5. Musk wasn't kidding about being done with California. This site will eventually be the corporate HQ and Tesla will eventually have 0 operations in California. Tulsa has done a lot to slow this down, but ultimately Musk is going to live by this plant, and he loves Austin. That's the tall order right now. It shifted from we can make the things you need here, into does Elon Musk think he can live in Tulsa, Oklahoma one day?
6. Tesla ran a secret poll to various people in the company with a very surprising result. 80% of those polled would be willing to relocate to Austin, but 65% were also willing to relocate to Tulsa. This # was higher than they thought it would be.

Austin is still probably going to get it, but all the momentum is on Tulsa's side.

A pretty great get, though. Tinker continues to be one of, if not THE, biggest assets for the State.

Eventually those companies attract enough talent we become a hub for talent. Then we start attracting other aerospace companies that don't work exclusively off government contracts and diversification within aerospace occurs.

Regarding Tesla in Tulsa here's what I heard.

1. Austin and particularity Travis County pissed off some very high ups at Tesla. If there's 10 people who get input, they pissed off like #3-5. Musk is annoyed but not pissed yet. Those Telsa execs are loudly advocating long term Austin is simply California 2.0.
2. The grand gestures were received very well.
3. Lots of the oil money and companies in Tulsa (and one in OKC apparently) made calls and said they would be welcomed. The oil CEOs told Telsa they view the future that there's a need for both. This was received well.
4. Stitt and Musk talk a lot, Stitt promised OU and OSU would receive funding boosts to their engineering programs. Stitt has been full court press. (My opinion; this is exactly why you elect Stitt, if anyone can close the deal and sell Tulsa, it's the guy who built a massive company based on his sales ability)
5. Musk wasn't kidding about being done with California. This site will eventually be the corporate HQ and Tesla will eventually have 0 operations in California. Tulsa has done a lot to slow this down, but ultimately Musk is going to live by this plant, and he loves Austin. That's the tall order right now. It shifted from we can make the things you need here, into does Elon Musk think he can live in Tulsa, Oklahoma one day?
6. Tesla ran a secret poll to various people in the company with a very surprising result. 80% of those polled would be willing to relocate to Austin, but 65% were also willing to relocate to Tulsa. This # was higher than they thought it would be.

Austin is still probably going to get it, but all the momentum is on Tulsa's side.

Regardless of the outcome, I think Tulsa simply giving Telsa something to think about is a win in my book. Never thought they had a chance, and still think Austin will get it, but it's never a bad thing to work hard to put yourselves in contention, and Tulsa has done a great job. Good for them and I feel like it'll pay off in some way in the future. Perhaps not with Tesla, but with a different company.

I really hope tulsa gets it. I will hold my breath here because crazier things have happened, right?

Regardless of the outcome, I think Tulsa simply giving Telsa something to think about is a win in my book. Never thought they had a chance, and still think Austin will get it, but it's never a bad thing to work hard to put yourselves in contention, and Tulsa has done a great job. Good for them and I feel like it'll pay off in some way in the future. Perhaps not with Tesla, but with a different company.

I still feel OKC would have been an easier sell than Tulsa. Tulsa is doing well, but OKC having OU and OSU within a 1 hour drive would do wonders, since Austin has UT-Austin.