Author Archives: gurustu

Rural Enterprises of Oklahoma, Inc. (REI) has announced a boundary expansion of Foreign Trade Zone #227, Durant. REI has been granted approval for expansion of the Zone to serve the Ardmore Airpark and Westport Industrial Park. The boundary expansion incorporates a total of 2,900 acres. The FTZ program is the leading federal program being used by companies involved in international trade. The FTZ program lowers the costs of U.S.-based operations engaged in international trade allowing them to store, repackage, repair, manipulate, manufacture or process foreign merchandise in a Zone, free of tariffs and ad valorem taxes, while the merchandise remains … Continue reading →

Foregoing its usual annual staff retreat, Rural Enterprises of Oklahoma, Inc. (REI) has set aside Friday, November 14 to participate in community service projects as a way of giving back to the community which has been home to REI headquarters for over 25 years. When REI contacted the City of Durant and Durant Main Street for projects to work on, the City of Durant suggested participation in the community’s Senior Citizen Safety program. REI staff will assist the local Fire and Police Departments with the installation of beacon porch light bulbs, smoke alarms, installation of door viewers and completing “File … Continue reading →

REI is the number one Certified Development Company (CDC) in the state for U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA) 504 loans and dollar volume approved. Certified Development Companies are nonprofit corporations that work with the SBA and lenders, primarily local banks, in providing financing to small businesses. REI has been a Certified Development Company since 1982. During SBA’s fiscal year from October 1, 2007, to September 30, 2008, REI received SBA approval for 33 loans in 19 Oklahoma counties for a total of $17,817,000 affecting 654 jobs statewide. REI produced 39 percent of all SBA 504 loans processed in Oklahoma … Continue reading →

Atlanta, GA (October 28, 2008) – The Southern Economic Development Council (SEDC), the oldest and largest regional economic development association in North America, is pleased to announce Tom Smith as the newest Honorary Life Member (HLM) of the association. He was recognized recently at the association’s annual conference in Hot Springs, Virginia. Smith serves as the President & CEO of Rural Enterprises of Oklahoma, Inc. in Durant, Oklahoma. The HLM designation is the highest award SEDC bestows and it recognizes individuals that have made significant contribution to the profession in one or more state of SEDC’s region. “Tom is an … Continue reading →

Entrepreneurs young and old alike are invited to enter the New Product and Process Fair to be held December 5 at the Wes Watkins Center on the campus of Oklahoma State University, Stillwater. The application deadline is November 16. Official rules and regulations are available in a clear, easy-to-navigate format at www.newproductsfair.com. For over 20 years, the New Product and Process Fair has been the launching pad for new products and processes. Fair founder and former Congressman Wes Watkins says the annual event is designed to challenge the creativity and inventiveness of people of all ages. There are six divisions of … Continue reading →

The Fifth Annual Holiday Biz Showcase is scheduled to be held in Durant in November, according to Dr. Barbara Rackley, coordinator of the Women’s Business Center of Rural Enterprises of Oklahoma, Inc. (REI). “The showcase will serve to acquaint the community with local businesses and their products,” said Dr. Rackley. The showcase is free to the public. Oklahoma businesses will display a wide range of products and services, including skin care, gourmet foods, monogrammed clothing, purses, jewelry and much more. Customers may purchase or order products and services. Gift certificates for holiday giving will also be available. The showcase is … Continue reading →

The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) recognized Rural Enterprises of Oklahoma, Inc. (REI) for its exceptional 2007 annual impact report. The award was presented at IEDC’s annual conference in Atlanta, GA. Competing in the category of reports by organizations serving areas with populations under 50,000, REI was a clear standout, according to IEDC’s team of judges. REI’s 24-page impact report is produced in-house by REI’s Marketing Department. With a staff of only two people, the marketing department is responsible for the idea creation, design, layout, photos, and writing of the report which judges deemed to be very effective in relaying … Continue reading →

Jeremy Layman, REI housing specialist received certification as a Housing Development Finance Professional (HDFP) from the National Development Council (NDC). Certification is a designation given to individuals who successfully complete an intensive housing development finance training series conducted by NDC. Layman received training in single-family, multi-family financing and housing development which included problem solving and deal structuring and the creation and implementation of development programs. The courses ranged from three to five days and concluded with a written review which must be passed before the student is allowed to continue in the HDFP program. When the student has completed the … Continue reading →

REI, an Oklahoma non-profit economic development firm was one of 35 groups in 25 states to receive an award from USDA Rural Development under the Rural Community Development Initiative (RCDI). REI was the only Oklahoma organization listed among the recipients. USDA Rural Development announced a total of $6.3 million in training and technical assistance grants through RCDI was awarded to eligible intermediaries across the nation. REI’s award will launch a training program to five rural non-profits to help them develop and increase their capacity to implement new projects in their communities related to housing, community facilities and economic development. The … Continue reading →

Wewoka, OK, is celebrating the expansion of Round House Manufacturing, LLC creating new jobs in the community and it all happened because of partnerships. When Round House Manufacturing, LLC needed to expand its Shawnee operation, the business incubator in Wewoka, the community’s adequate workforce and working partnerships were key to locating the expansion in this rural community, population 3,562. Round House Manufacturing, LLC produces made-in-America overalls for the painter, carpenter, engineer and other workers in need of high quality workwear. The product is pre-cut at the Shawnee location and sewn at the Wewoka plant. Currently, the Wewoka plant employs 16 … Continue reading →