August 10, 2009 – Three Local Minority-Owned Businesses Recognized For Economic Impact And Job Creation

Three area businesses were among recipients of awards during Oklahoma Minority Enterprise Development Week. The award recipients participated in a celebration of the success held at the Metro Technology Center, Oklahoma City. The event was coordinated by the Native American Business Enterprise Center (NABEC) of Rural Enterprises of Oklahoma, Inc. (REI).

Farris Electric, LLC, Durant, was awarded the “Minority Sub-Contractor of the Year”. This company began as home-based businesses in 2000 but today, Farris Electric, LLC employs 27 people. Chris and Pam Farris started with a core business in electrical contracting but recently added the HVAC component to the business as well as Tribal Custom Pools which builds in-ground pools for the commercial and residential market. Chris Farris is a licensed electrical contractor and holds a HVAC license in both Oklahoma and Texas. Farris Electric, LLC is also an REI business incubator client and they have seen their business grow dramatically in that supportive environment.

“Minority Construction Firms of the Year” awards went to Mid Plains Construction, Inc., Durant and Larry Finch Building Corp., Boswell.

Mid Plains Construction is an expanding company specializing in commercial projects. Clients include schools, local governments, utility services, financial institutions and others. Owner Layne Morgan is a certified ACI Grade Concrete Testing Technician and a licensed commercial pilot. He has over 25 years of experience in the construction industry. Mid Plains Construction employs 29.

Larry and Pat Finch launched Larry Finch Building Corp., in 1999. This husband/wife team provides construction services to commercial clients across Oklahoma with a niche in Tribal projects. A recent project is a major renovation for the new Hard Rock Casino for the Cherokee Nation in Catoosa. This business has created 11 jobs.

“Oklahoma minority-owned businesses have generated over $5 billion in gross receipts in Oklahoma and three of our local businesses have significantly contributed to that economic impact,” said James Ray, NABEC coordinator. “We were pleased to recognize them for their success, their contribution to Oklahoma’s economy and for the jobs they have created.”

REI opened the NABEC office two years ago through an award from the Minority Business Development Agency, U. S. Department of Commerce. Since that time, the economic impact from NABEC services is over $38 million. Through strategic partnerships with leading Oklahoma organizations, NABEC strives to assist minority business owners in reaching the next stage of growth for their companies with a special focus on procurement of government contracts. For more information, visit www.oknabec.com.

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