Oklahoma Economic Plan Strives to make State "The Research Capital of the Plains"

A $1 billion fund to make Oklahoma "the research capital of the Plains," tax cuts to encourage companies to do business in Oklahoma and a 50-cent cigarette tax increase were part of the final EDGE plan presented to Governor Brad Henry.

The Economic Development Generating Excellence group (EDGE), led by Secretary of Commerce and Tourism Kathryn Taylor and Higher Education Chancellor Paul Risser, was charged with creating an action plan to improve Oklahoma’s economic environment — in four months. See the article from the Oklahoman newspaper at http://www.nasvf.org/web/allpress.nsf/pages/8195

NEW REPORT SHOWS IMPROVEMENTS IN OKLAHOMA’s TECHNOLOGY-BASED ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

In a related story, Oklahoma’s community of scientists, medical researchers and technology innovators are making a greater impact on the state’s economy, according to a report issued by the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology.
"Meeting Challenges in the New Economy," includes an assessment of Oklahoma’s standings in the areas of funding in- flows such as research and development; education achievements; capital investment and business assistance; and technology intensity of the business base.

Oklahoma’s national standing in university research and development improved to 41st from 31st from 2000 to 2002, while it rose to 28th from 30th in federal research and development dollars. Read the article from the Oklahoman at http://www.nasvf.org/web/allpress.nsf/pages/8218