Author Archives: gurustu

Gilmer J. Capps was among the graduates of the University of Oklahoma’s Economic Development Institute (OU/EDI) on November 18 in Kansas City, MO.  Capps is the Southwest Oklahoma field representative for Rural Enterprises of Oklahoma, Inc. (REI) a statewide economic development organization with a mission to stimulate the local economy and create jobs through business assistance services. OU/EDI is a three-session program, each one week long, providing a broad spectrum of advanced education for the economic development professional and is accredited by the International Economic Development Council. The Institute focuses on three major core areas, Business Retention & Expansion, Real … Continue reading →

Rural Enterprises of Oklahoma, Inc. (REI) has rolled out the Individual Development Account (IDA), a matched savings account program to help families purchase their first home or help entrepreneurs start or expand their business. Here is how the program works.  Participants make regular contributions to a supervised savings account for a minimum of six months.  REI matches $2 for every $1 saved, up to $2000.  This would potentially provide the participant up to $6000 total.  Eligibility for the program is based on household income and family size. “This is a wonderful opportunity that doesn’t come along very often,” said Tom … Continue reading →

You already know the drill: Swipe your credit card, tell the dispenser what kind of gas you want and start pumping. When your tank is full, pay for the gas, hop back in the driver’s seat and head for the open road. But that simple description raises more questions than it answers. How does the gas get to the car? The gasoline sold at service stations is stored underground in buried tanks that must to get to the gas dispenser and that is where Oklahoma entrepreneur, Richard Heck comes on the scene.  Heck’s Underground Service Company, Allen, OK makes sure … Continue reading →

Business incubators are commercial spaces designed to lower start-up costs for new and expanding businesses. Rural Enterprises of Oklahoma, Inc. (REI) has been managing incubators since the early 1980s and reports that the program continues to grow and graduate job-creating firms. Recent graduates of the program include Rosewood Designs, a manufacturer of custom logo watch dials, and Farris Electric, providing electrical contracting services. Farris Electric graduated from the incubator program when its phenomenal growth necessitated the construction of its own building. The business is now located in a new 5,000 square foot facility, employs 25 and is expanding into the … Continue reading →

Entrepreneurs young and old are encouraged to enter the New Product and Process Fair to be held November 4, 2010, from 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. on the campus of Moore Norman Technology Center, 13301 S. Penn Ave., Oklahoma City.  Application deadline is October 24.  Official rules and application form are available at www.newproductsfair.com. The Fair, founded over 20 years ago by former Oklahoma Congressman Wes Watkins,  is an excellent way for school and institutions of higher education to encourage their students to think out of the box, ignite their creativity and showcase their innovations.  But, you don’t have to be … Continue reading →

For a limited time, special financial awards are available for qualifying start-up businesses in 21 southeastern Oklahoma counties with a high unemployment rate.  The funds are available through Rural Enterprises of Oklahoma, Inc. (REI) through a grant from the Office of Community Services, U. S. Department of Health and Human Services. Financial assistance is available for start-up businesses in the sectors of child care, cosmetology, landscaping and lawn care. Eligibility is based on family income.  Participants will be required to attend REI’s workshop, Entrepreneurship 101, which includes business taxes, business plan development and marketing.  An itemized list of inventory or … Continue reading →

Rural Enterprises of Oklahoma, Inc. (REI) announces the availability of the Individual Development Account (IDA), a matched savings account program to help families purchase their first home or help entrepreneurs start or expand their business.  The program is made possible through the partnership of REI and the U. S. Department of Human Services, Office of Community Services. Here is how the program works.  Participants make regular contributions to a supervised savings account for a minimum of six months.  REI matches $2 for every $1 saved, up to $2000.  This would potentially provide the participant up to $6000 total. Eligibility for … Continue reading →

Chris Meyers, Executive Vice President & CEO, Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives, has joined the board of directors of Rural Enterprises of Oklahoma, Inc. (REI), a statewide economic development organization. In his current position, Meyers is responsible for providing a number of services to the state’s Electric Cooperatives including Safety and Loss Control programs, Self-insured Worker’s Comp group pool, state legislative issues and bill tracking, marketing and publication of Oklahoma Living magazine. Meyers is a graduate of Kansas State University with a Bachelors Degree in Electrical Engineering and the University of Oklahoma with an MBA.  He is also a registered … Continue reading →

ShapeXpress franchise owner Linda Rankin never intended to own her own business but that changed when out-of-town fitness center owners asked her if she would be interested in purchasing the existing business.  An advocate of physical fitness, Linda was already working out at the center and even started to help others with their work-outs.  She accepted the offer to purchase the business and entered the world of franchise owners. Rankin enthusiastically shared her experience and lessons learned at a recent conference of the Women’s Business Center of Rural Enterprises of Oklahoma, Inc. (REI).  She pointed out that franchise royalties are … Continue reading →

Jeremy Layman of Durant is one of 31 individuals from across the state that graduated from the Oklahoma Citizens Academy.  This is a program of the Oklahoma Community Institute.  In its seventh year, the Citizens Academy seeks to increase the number of local leaders that are making a positive impact on the development of their communities. Layman serves Rural Enterprises of Oklahoma, Inc. (REI) as Housing Program Specialist.  In his position, he markets REI’s down payment and closing cost assistance programs to help Oklahoma’s working families become proud homeowners.  He also visits with businesses, economic development partners and mortgage lenders.  … Continue reading →