EDMOND —
Job retention and creation in Oklahoma is essential for our success. Economic development is a driving factor in moving our state forward. Traveling the state as Oklahoma’s Small Business Advocate has afforded me ample opportunity to visit with those creating good jobs right here in Oklahoma. The discussion often focuses on ideas to boost our job creation and economic development numbers.
The manufacturing industry is a good illustrator of business and job growth. Manufacturing is a significant employment and revenue producing industry in Oklahoma. The manufacturing sector employs 132,800 Oklahomans and supplies more than $17.2 billion to Oklahoma’s economy. The manufacturing industry allows and creates organic growth. Eighty-five percent of jobs in Oklahoma are created by employers already in Oklahoma.
The manufacturing industry serves as an economic indicator and stimulus for Oklahoma’s economy. Other additional industries contribute to the overall success of the economy, but manufacturing companies create goods that in turn generate the demand for energy and raw materials used to manufacture those goods. As a result, the demand created then stimulates and supports other businesses in the economy.
Even though manufacturing employment declined in the recent national recession, it has since recovered in 2011. A recent report released by the State Chamber revealed that over the next 20 years, our state’s manufacturing industry is expected to bring more than 300,000 net new jobs to Oklahoma. With every 100 new jobs this industry creates, Oklahoma benefits with an additional 240 jobs created throughout the state. Much of the industry’s success at preventing dismal job losses is the diverse relationships built between the manufacturing industry and other industries such as Oklahoma’s agriculture, energy and construction industries. This allows Oklahoma to grow internally from jobs already here at home.
Earlier this month, I had the privilege of keynoting the annual Oklahoma Conference on Manufacturing. This conference offers manufacturers from across the state the opportunity to share best practices with each other. During the annual Oklahoma Conference on Manufacturing, I was honored to help present the four “2011 Governor’s Manufacturing Leadership Awards.” It’s great to be a part of recognizing those people and companies who are working hard to advance Oklahoma and make our state competitive.
LT. GOV. TODD LAMB, R-Edmond, may be reached by following him on Twitter and Facebook, and visit his website at www.ok.gov/ltgovernor or call his office at 521-2161.
Opinion
Oklahoma’s job pulse beating strongly
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Aerospace tax credits ensure viability of industry
April 15, 1953. Tax day again. It also marked the last time the U.S. lost a soldier from an enemy air attack.
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Tax outrage stems from moral distaste
A study published this week in the journal Symbolic Interaction revisits the relationship between taxation and morality.
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Suddenly, Asperger’s Syndrome is cured
My 11-year-old grandson just took his first trip off the diving board.
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Book recalls Anastasia's story
In February of 1916 a young woman was pulled from the icy waters of a canal in Berlin, Germany.
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iRead, you read, we all win
I’m thrilled to be able to announce the Oklahoma State Department of Education’s iRead initiative. Check out our iRead page on our website, http://ok.gov/sde/newsblogs/iRead.
With iRead, our goal is to ensure literacy for all Oklahomans from birth to 12th grade. Literacy is more than just reading. Being literate encompasses listening, speaking, reading, and writing — really all of communication. -
Growth revenue should go back to taxpayers
Over the next few days, the Legislature will consider a proposal to reduce Oklahoma’s income tax.
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Thunder Up for Oklahoma
The Thunder basketball team has a big impact on the state of Oklahoma. Not just because we are excelling in the NBA playoffs.
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Growth revenue should go back to taxpayers
Over the next few days, the Legislature will consider a proposal to reduce Oklahoma’s income tax. This year, Oklahoma state government will have more than $200 million of new growth revenue to spend. I believe it is vital for this revenue to go back to the taxpayers who overfinanced state government. This is important, because if the money is not returned, it will almost certainly be used to grow the size of government.
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Tax cuts don’t make the grade
When is not big enough also too big?
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Tax plan means keeping more of what you earn
The discussion about cutting Oklahoma’s income tax started before the legislative session.
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Aerospace tax credits ensure viability of industry
