Hutchinson Joins REI as Incubator-Foreign Trade Zone Program Manager Will Hutchinson, a Southeastern Oklahoma State University alumni, has joined the staff of Rural Enterprises of Oklahoma, Inc. (REI) as Program Manager of the organization’s business incubator and Foreign Trade Zone programs. Hutchinson brings 9 years of experience from his previous position with Texas Instruments as a Product Development Engineer and Project Manager with an additional 8 years of industrial electronics experience with Pilkington automotive glass manufacturing. He has extensive experience in electronics and is a Certified Project Management Professional (PMP) as well as a practitioner in Lean Six-Sigma. In his … Continue reading →

Rural Enterprises of Oklahoma, Inc. (Inc.) announces Jennifer R. Edwards as Women’s Business Center Assistant at its Oklahoma City location. A graduate of the University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, Edwards holds a BA in Journalism/Public Relations with a Minor in Sociology. Her diversified professional experience includes serving the Sarkeys Foundation as executive assistant and Project Woman Coalition, Inc., as public relations associate. Edwards is also an Adjunct Professor at the College of Arts and Sciences, OU. In 2006, REI was the recipient of a U. S. Small Business Administration award to facilitate the expansion of its WBC services. Today, WBC … Continue reading →

Entrepreneurs young and old alike are encouraged to enter the New Product and Process Fair to be held December 12, 2009 on the campus of Moore Norman Technology Center, 13301 S. Penn Avenue, Oklahoma City. The application deadline is November 20. Official rules and regulations are available in an easy-to-navigate format at www.newproductsfair.com. Founded by former Congressman Wes Watkins over 20 years ago, the Fair is an excellent way for schools and institutions of higher education to encourage their students to think out of the box, ignite their creativity and showcase their entrepreneurial talent. It will also be an opportunity … Continue reading →

Laugh Out Loud is southwest Oklahoma’s newest entertainment center and when you go there, that’s exactly what you will do because it is loaded with fun, food and wholesome family entertainment. The entertainment center was brought to fruition through the partnership of Rural Enterprises of Oklahoma, Inc. (REI) and Arvest Bank, Lawton, OK. Investors utilized the SBA 504 program for purchase of real estate, renovation, equipment and other start-up needs. “This is a great addition to the Lawton community and we were very pleased to partner with Arvest Bank and the investors to help bring such an innovative family-fun center … Continue reading →

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 … Continue reading →

Dr. Cynthia S. (Cindy) Ross, President, Cameron University, Lawton, OK has joined the Board of Directors of Rural Enterprises of Oklahoma, Inc. (REI). As President of Cameron University, Dr. Ross is responsible for the executive administration, management and operations of the University and bears the primary responsibility for setting priorities and making decisions about the allocation of resources. Dr. Ross received her bachelor, masters, and doctoral degrees from Oklahoma State University, Stillwater. To enhance community economic development, under Dr. Ross’ leadership the Center for Emerging Technology and Entrepreneurial Studies was developed and constructed. This economic development initiative includes a business … Continue reading →

Rural Americans make up about 20 – 25 percent of the nation’s population but only nine percent of the nation’s physicians practice in rural areas, according to the Agency for Health Care Research and Quality. Durant is putting those statistics to the test because it has excellent diversified health care services and because of expansions like the one currently underway at the Sturch Family Clinic on 1727 Chuckwa, near the Medical Center of Southeastern Oklahoma. The 4,290 sq. ft. expansion project is being accomplished through utilization of the SBA 504 lending program administered by Rural Enterprises of Oklahoma, Inc. (REI) … Continue reading →

More than 20 years ago, husband-and-wife team Russell and Robbie Allison purchased a moon bounce that they rented out and operated on the weekends for birthday parties. That was the beginning of ventures that now include Andy Alligator’s Fun Park in Norman, Oklahoma, and a sister company which provides corporate event planning services throughout the South Central United States. The Allison’s business financing needs for Andy Alligator’s were met by utilizing the SBA 504 lending program and through the partnership of First Bank & Trust, Norman, OK and Rural Enterprises of Oklahoma, Inc. (REI). Loan proceeds were used for purchase … Continue reading →

Brent Kisling, former State Director, USDA Rural Development, will be heading up the efforts of Rural Enterprises of Oklahoma, Inc., and (REI) to provide economic development services to the people in northwestern Oklahoma. “We look forward to having Brent serve the deserving entrepreneurs in this quadrant of the state,” said Tom Seth Smith, President & CEO. “Brent has been an REI partner for a long time and is very familiar with our services including our lending and home buyer assistance programs.” Kisling brings a lot of experience to REI. A graduate of Oklahoma State University with a Bachelor of Science … Continue reading →

The familiar click of a key in the door has taken on new meaning for 112 Oklahoma families. They aren’t just opening any door. They are opening the door to their very own home. These families realized their dream of homeownership through creative partnerships and the Affordable Housing Program (AHP) of the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLBank). The program is targeted to serve low and moderate income families. BancFirst , an FHLBank member, made application for grant funds through the AHP and collaborated with Rural Enterprises of Oklahoma, Inc., (REI) and USDA Rural Development. REI offers the Employer-Assisted Housing (EAH) … Continue reading →