Big employer taking hard look at OKC

[lasomeday]

Roy Williams just stated Terex will be hiring approximately 1500 people in his presentation to the City Council. This is after Terex exited the road paving business - not sure exactly what type of equipment manufacturing the new venture will entail. Oilfield related maybe?

Yeah, this may be different than what Pete is talking about..... This is a manufacuring plant not distribution center?

Right Pete?

Same area almost.... just two miles off.

[Pete]

Yes, Terex is a separate deal...

But just goes to show you the wide breadth of employment in OKC these days.

Lots of high paid positions: big, medium and small oil & gas companies, lots of light manufacturing to support that industry, biotech at the health sciences center, Boeing engineering jobs at/near Tinker, GE Global Research, tons of restaurant/bar/retail/service jobs, Hobby Lobby and other massive distribution centers, etc., etc.

[Teo9969]

Yes, Terex is a separate deal...

But just goes to show you the wide breadth of employment in OKC these days.

Lots of high paid positions: big, medium and small oil & gas companies, lots of light manufacturing to support that industry, biotech at the health sciences center, Boeing engineering jobs at/near Tinker, GE Global Research, tons of restaurant/bar/retail/service jobs, Hobby Lobby and other massive distribution centers, etc., etc.

+ Financial-ish jobs (MF, AF, Insurance, Paycom, etc.)

[bchris02]

OKC is fortunate to still have an expanding manufacturing sector. Many other cities have shifted almost entirely to a service-based economy as manufacturing jobs have left for other countries. This is a good score for OKC.

[Pete]

+ Customer service centers (less glamorous but they employ thousands): Hertz, AAA, Farmers, Dell, etc.

[Bellaboo]

I can speak for some of it here now, but Hertz is getting ready to hire additional employees at their Accounting Center at Quail Springs Business Park. This is a direct result of Dollar Thrifty, which a large portion is being consolidated here in OKC. I know that some that have been offered transfers from Tulsa will not relocate.

I know of one mid sized department being approved to hire 5 positions.

[Zuplar]

OKC is fortunate to still have an expanding manufacturing sector. Many other cities have shifted almost entirely to a service-based economy as manufacturing jobs have left for other countries. This is a good score for OKC.

Some of the stuff I have read says that manufacturing is going to start moving back to the US and to expect those jobs to increase in the next 15 years.

[Rover]

Done as in closed and coming to OKC, or done and going somewhere else?

Am told as done as in coming here. I don't think the people saying it are prone to gossip. Could be wrong, but there is lots of smoke.

[catch22]

Must be related to the HVAC industry

[Rover]

LOL. Not my HVAC buddies. But, from the same part of the city.

[Pete]

After starting with 10 prospective cities, I've heard this is now down to OKC and one other.

Approximately 1.3 million square feet of distribution space, $90 million in investment, 800 full-time employees and 1,400 part-time. Potential for future growth.

We should have an answer before the end of the year.

[CaptDave]

Sounds a lot like a Target DC.

[catch22]

Sounds a lot like a Target DC.

Exactly what I was thinking.

Either way, sounds like this will be a good deal if OKC is selected.

[DoctorTaco]

Sounds a lot like a Target DC.

Don't rule out Amazon. They are making a big play into next day/same day delivery, and are expanding like crazy to get it done.

[Bellaboo]

Don't rule out Amazon. They are making a big play into next day/same day delivery, and are expanding like crazy to get it done.

Amazon just opened a new distribution center at Alliance Aiprort Industrial Park north of Ft Worth. Not sure if they'd need another within that proximity.

[HangryHippo]

I just found this on NewsOK and it seems to be referencing the exact project Pete was talking about:

Owasso City Council approves $500,000 incentive for possible new employer | News OK

[Pete]

^

Hmm, what a coincidence.

[catch22]

I just found this on NewsOK and it seems to be referencing the exact project Pete was talking about:

Owasso City Council approves $500,000 incentive for possible new employer | News OK

I think OKC will be able to dish out some more money for this.

[HangryHippo]

I think OKC will be able to dish out some more money for this.

You'd think. I guess we'll know soon enough. Hope we land it here in OKC.

[catch22]

I think OKC is much better positioned anyway. I bet this company is using Owasso as a pawn to get more cash out of OKC.

OKC's interstate highway access is very lucrative for distribution centers.

[Pete]

I doubt the Owasso money is the only incentive in that proposed deal.

Usually, incentives come for a variety of sources.

It's one of the reasons OKC formed the Alliance for Economic Devleopment... Not only to have an organized, professional group to go after such opportunities but to coordinate the various groups/agencies/governments involved and to coordinate incentive packages.

[HangryHippo]

I doubt the Owasso money is the only incentive in that proposed deal.

Usually, incentives come for a variety of sources.

It's one of the reasons OKC formed the Alliance for Economic Devleopment... Not only to have an organized, professional group to go after such opportunities but to coordinate the various groups/agencies/governments involved and to coordinate incentive packages.

The article that I posted actually goes to a Tulsa World article that lays out the various groups that have also offered incentives to lure the employer. There were quite a few.

[BDK]

Project Socrates??? Here's hoping Owasso takes the hemlock.

I'll show my self out now...

[Pete]

From that TW article:

Levo said Owasso's offer isn't the largest proposed incentive. Bonuses to the company also have also been discussed by the state of Oklahoma, Oklahoma Career Tech, Oklahoma Employment Security Commission, Tulsa County, the Cherokee Nation, Tulsa Regional Chamber and Tulsa Tech, she said.

OKC has a whole host of incentive sources as well.

[catch22]

Does Costco have distribution centers? Or do they just use their stores as warehouses? If they are trying to make a push into the central states, OKC would be a good center.