EDMOND —
Francis Tuttle continues to build a future of economic growth in Edmond as the City of Edmond’s partner in career technology.
A 40,000-square-foot Francis Tuttle Center for Municipal Excellence is being developed on the northeast corner of Interstate 35 and Covell Road. The center also will accommodate Adult and Career Development courses and workshops, complete as a business innovation center with classrooms and offices for a business incubator, said Peggy Geib, head of business and industry services at Francis Tuttle.
A hands-on business incubator is designed to help new and fledgeling businesses develop for success. Francis Tuttle is in the process of identifying the client intake for the incubator, Geib said.
The 11,000-square-feet of incubator space is expected to produce four graduates of the incubator process after the first three years from when the facility opens, Geib said. That equates to an additional 20 or more companies added to the community in a five-year period, she said.
“Businesses participating in incubators are 80 percent more likely to succeed than those that don’t,” Geib said of research conducted by the National Business Incubator Association.
The research shows that every dollar invested in an incubator returns about $45 in tax revenue to the communities in which those companies reside, Geib said. Eighty-four percent of incubator graduates stay in their community to continue a return on investments, she added.
“For every 50 jobs generated by an incubator, there are about 35 additional jobs that are created as a result of that,” Geib said.
Incubators are often built as an independent building. The Edmond location will be unique because it is incorporated with the Adult and Career Development, customized training and the Center for Municipal Excellence, Geib said. Seminars also will be included.
“These clients in the incubator will have access to that whole world,” Geib said.
Geib said the architectural plans have been submitted to the City of Edmond. Once the design is approved, Geib said it should take about 12 months to construct the facility.
“We’re looking at the summer of 2013,” Geib said for an opening date.
City Councilman Nick Massey said the organization is providing an avenue for entrepreneurs to take a great idea and turn it into business.
The area is becoming a mecca for economic growth in Edmond. Just across the street on the northwest corner, the City of Edmond closed this week on purchasing 7.1 acres of land for a full-service hotel and conference center, said Janet Yowell, director of the Edmond Economic Development Authority. A purchase price of $2.2 million will be taken from the city’s Real Property Tax Fund.
“This is where we’re actually going to get business development and bring in primary jobs,” Yowell said.
The Francis Tuttle development will be the first construction project in the area, Yowell said.
jcoburn@edmondsun.com | 341-2121, ext. 114
Business
Francis Tuttle brings I-35/Covell plan to city planners
New building will include business incubator
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Anglin Public Relations hires new account specialist
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Blackmon is an Edmond resident and is the daughter of Mike Blackmon and Anita Peterson of Moore.
Blackmon is a graduate of the University of Central Oklahoma where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in mass communication with a focus in public relations. While at UCO, Blackmon served as a marketing assistant for Housing & Dining and interned at Box Talent in summer 2011. As an account specialist, Blackmon is responsible for the support and implementation of communication tools, events and activities to meet client goals.
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Last year Heidi Russell of Edmond received the Mike McDonald Outstanding Fundraising Professional Award. Paul Folger with KOCO News was the emcee and he presented Russell with the award.
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He is the first Oklahoman to be selected and will serve for one year, traveling throughout the United States and visiting other state’s dental associations and dental schools while representing the American Dental College.
Waugh was the recipient of the Oklahoma Dentist of the Year Award in 2009. In addition he has received The Thomas Jefferson Award and Dan Brannin awards from the Oklahoma Dental Association. He has served as president of the Oklahoma Dental Association and Oklahoma County Dental Association. He has practiced family dentistry in Edmond for more than 39 years. -
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The Werners became owners of My Small Wonders Daycare Center in 2011. -
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