EDMOND — Delta Dental of Oklahoma honored for its charitable efforts

Delta Dental of Oklahoma recently was honored for its contributions to the state’s nonprofit community. The Beacon Award honors 24 statewide businesses that have played instrumental roles in supporting nonprofit programs that help so many Oklahomans in need; the program recognizes finalists in six categories, with a Beacon Award winner in each category. Delta Dental of Oklahoma received the overall Beacon Award for philanthropic impact in the small business category, which represents companies of 100 employees or fewer.    

In its first 10 years, the Delta Dental of Oklahoma Charitable Foundation contributed nearly $2 million to dozens of dental health and education projects and initiatives statewide. Realizing that even more could be achieved with additional funding, the DDOK board of directors amplified funding to the foundation to nearly $1.4 million for 2009. This represented an increase of more than 300 percent over the previous year.

For more information about the foundation or to download a directory of free and low-cost dental care resources throughout the state, visit www.DeltaDentalok.org/foundation.



Cox named ‘fastest Internet Service Provider’ in south

A recent PCMag.com Readers’ speed test rates Cox high speed Internet the Fastest Internet Service Provider in the South region, which includes Oklahoma. The results, based on independent speed tests from more than 6,000 people nationwide, show Cox even delivers faster speeds than fiber connections in the Southern U.S.

“Our customers tell us that speed continues to be a primary reason for choosing and keeping a provider’s Internet service, so we strive to increase our speeds on a regular basis,” stated Christine Martin, director of communications for Cox Oklahoma. “This study validates that Cox offers some of the fastest speeds in the marketplace, allowing our customers to do even more with their broadband connections.”

In addition to base download speeds up to 20 Mbps, soon to be 50 Mbps, Cox offers customers on preferred and higher packages PowerBoost, a free temporary burst of speed when extra network capacity is available. As more homes connect multiple devices to a single Internet connection — including desktop and laptop computers, smartphones and gaming consoles — customers require more bandwidth to have the best broadband experience.

More information about Cox high speed Internet is available online at www.cox.com/highspeedinternet.



Bank of the West to donate peripherals

Bank of the West said this week it will provide surplus computer monitors and printers worth about $14,000 to tax-exempt nonprofits and public schools in and around Oklahoma City.

Lexmark, Dell and Hewlett-Packard printers — about 60 altogether — and about 25 monitors of various screen sizes are available. The bank also has fax machines and a copier to donate.

The equipment will be made available on a first-come, first-served basis and must be removed from the bank’s Oklahoma City facility by Aug. 6. Interested organizations should fax their contact information and evidence of tax exempt status to 918-6553 or e-mail oklahoma@botw.com.



Midtown Renaissance plans to give away 1-year lease

Midtown Renaissance, a leader in Oklahoma City redevelopment, is looking for an innovative business owner to occupy its high visibility retail space — the Plaza Court Building at Northwest 10th Street and Walker Avenue. Following a competitive proposal and review process, Midtown Renaissance will give the winning candidate rent-free use of the 1,501-square-foot property for the first year of a three-year lease; the winner also will receive a free one year membership to the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce.

The competition is open to locally owned and operated business, both currently operating and proposed, and is designed to enhance the creative energy of the district. Entrepreneurs, creative enterprises, professional artisans and retailers age 18 or older are encouraged to apply. Restaurant concepts, franchises and chain store businesses will not be considered for the space.

Selection criteria include the creativeness and entrepreneurial nature of the business, a business concept that fills a void in the local market, and demonstrated expertise in the business proposed. The ability to open in Plaza Court by Nov. 15 is a plus.

Completed applications must be received by 5 p.m. Aug. 16. Application and instruction materials can be downloaded from www.midtownR.com. Finalists will be notified Sept. 3 and the winner notified Sept. 14.