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WEB EXCLUSIVE
New Information System Aids Oklahoma Business Retention and Expansion Efforts

Oklahoma communities can now maximize the effectiveness of their local business retention and expansion efforts through a new Web-based program offered by the Oklahoma Department of Commerce Business Solutions Division.

"This program reflects our increased emphasis on retention and expansion of Oklahoma companies, particularly in rural areas," says Kathy Taylor, secretary of commerce and tourism. "Recruiting businesses to move to Oklahoma is important, but most new jobs are created by companies already here."

The e-Synchronist Business Information System¨ helps community economic development planners and decision makers by providing comprehensive insights into the dynamics of their local economy. The system gathers, organizes and analyzes current information directly from company executives to quickly identify at-risk companies as well as growth opportunities. The e-Synchronist Business Information System¨ also generates a "snapshot" of current economic conditions and dynamics in a community or within a region.

"This powerful new tool supports the Rural Action Partnership Program and recent rural economic development legislation (HB2288) by providing small communities an additional resource to aid their business retention and development efforts," says Sandy Pratt, Commerce Business Solutions director. "Now, even small communities, through county and regional sublicensing, can tap into a Ôbest practices' solution.

"Oklahoma City and Tulsa Chambers of Commerce partnered with the Commerce Department to purchase a statewide license to enhance their business retention and expansion initiatives," Pratt says. "Smaller communities will find their county and regional business development efforts can benefit from this software, as well. The e-Synchronist system can highlight opportunities to assist growing companies through the cooperative efforts of surrounding communities. And that's the kind of teamwork, interdependency and sharing of resources promoted by HB 2288 and the Commerce Department's rural economic development initiative."

Four organizations responsible for business retention and expansion, one in each quadrant of the state, will be awarded an e-Synchronist demonstration project, including sublicense, training and technical assistance. The Department of Commerce is soliciting applications from organizations interested in participating in the demonstration. e-Synchronist proposal criteria are available at the Commerce Web site, www.odoc.state.ok.us.