Ida Red owner named Small Business Entrepreneur of the Year
Angeline Ripley Wright, owner of Tulsa's Ida Red General Store, has been named Oklahoma's Small Business Person of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Ida Red is a Tulsa retail store that sells unique gifts, nostalgic treats, and Oklahoma merchandise.
Ripley Wright was in Washington, D.C., to accept the award presented to her by SBA Administrator Isabel Guzman.
“Angeline Ripley Wright embodies the grit shown by Oklahoma retailers as they persevered and triumphed through the pandemic,” said Oklahoma SBA District Director Fernanda Pedraza Schmidt. Ta. “SBA is proud to play a small role in this success through our COVID-19 response programs,” she said.
Ripley Wright helped create the concept for Ayda Red in 2008 and then bought the business in 2016. Idared currently has three locations and his 16 employees in the Tulsa area.
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She bought her business with an SBA loan and was able to weather the COVID-19 pandemic with two PPP (Paycheck Protection Program) loans and a COVID-19 EIDL (Economic Injury Disaster Loan). Since she bought her company, she has doubled her number of employees.
In recent years, Ida Red has supported the Tulsa Area COVID-19 Response Fund, Red Dirt Relief Fund, Tulsa Racial Genocide Foundation, Juneteenth Foundation, Food on the Move, Family and Children's Services, and Iron Gate. He supports numerous local charities, including Tulsa. . Ripley Wright was also named the 2023 Tulsa Chamber of Commerce Small Business Person of the Year.
ONEOK reports $639 million in revenue in the first quarter
Tulsa-based ONEOK reported net income of $639 million in the first quarter of this year, or diluted earnings per share of $1.09.
Results were driven primarily by increased natural gas liquids and natural gas throughput in the Rocky Mountain region, increased transportation services in the natural gas pipeline segment, and contributions from the refined products and crude oil segments, but primarily due to planned assets. This was partially offset by higher operating expenses. The company said maintenance, property and casualty insurance premium increases and growth in his ONEOK business were factors.
Pierce H. Norton II, President and Chief Executive Officer of ONEOK, said, “ONEOK delivered strong results in the first quarter, supported by year-over-year volume growth in the Rocky Mountain region and contributions from its refined products and crude oil segments. '', he said.
“The strength of our business, highlighted by accelerating sales volumes and positive synergy prospects, provides us with an upward revision to our 2024 financial outlook and significant momentum into 2025.
“Our ability to respond quickly to winter weather in the first quarter once again highlights the resiliency of our assets and employees,” Norton said. “We remain focused on integrating Magellan assets and maximizing value for our stakeholders.”
Cherokee Nation invests up to $4 million in proposed RSU STEM Center
The Cherokee Nation has signed an agreement with Rogers State University committing up to $4 million to support construction of a planned science and technology center on the RSU campus in Claremore.
Cherokee Nation President Chuck Hoskin Jr., Vice President Brian Warner, President Larry Rice, and RSU Foundation Board of Directors Chairman Nick Harris signed the memorandum of understanding on the school's campus.
The Cherokee Nation's investment is the largest single gift in the RSU Foundation's history and begins efforts to secure private funding to support construction of the facility, according to a news release.
The proposed Science and Technology Center will be the new home for RSU's science, engineering, mathematics and technology programs. The center will replace Roche Beau Hall, which no longer meets the needs of the university's STEM education program. The center will feature approximately 52,000 square feet of laboratory, classroom and office space.
“Today's agreement to build a state-of-the-art STEM education facility opens up new paths for students to pursue careers in health and related fields and creates new opportunities for all students, including Cherokee residents,” said Hoskin. It will bring great opportunities.”
“The Cherokee Nation has an unwavering commitment to the education and future of our youth and the well-being of our communities. This collaboration will help our students meet the growing demand for skilled professionals in these critical fields. It will prepare you to serve Cherokee people who are pursuing a nursing degree.”
TCI Manufacturing expands into Mid-America Industrial Park
MidAmerica Industrial Park has announced the creation of a new employer, TCI Manufacturing, a leading bulk material handling company headquartered in Walnut, Illinois, approximately 190 miles west of Chicago.
TCI Manufacturing specializes in the manufacture of equipment tailored for the quarrying industry, as well as the manufacture and assembly of equipment for the mining and aggregates sectors. His existing 45,000 square foot facility, owned by MidAmerica, will serve as the base for production operations.
According to a news release issued by the company, “The new facility in Pryor, Oklahoma, will operate with the same rigorous quality standards that TCI Manufacturing is known for. The facility will initially operate with the same rigorous quality standards that TCI Manufacturing is known for. We focus on our core products.”
TCI will initially hire six to eight full-time employees specializing in welding and fabrication, with the potential to expand to 12 to 15 positions as the business grows. The manufacturing site also features a 4.5-acre laydown yard to facilitate storage and logistics.
“The addition of TCI Manufacturing to the MidAmerica Industrial Park underscores our commitment to attracting and supporting employers of all sizes,” said MidAmerica CEO David Stewart.
“Our continued investments in infrastructure and assets, workforce development, and community support make MidAmerica an ideal choice for companies seeking a competitive edge in today's marketplace.”
MidAmerica Industrial Park is located approximately between Pryor and Shorteau in Mays County, within 300 miles of 10 major cities and capable of providing next-day service to 23% of the U.S. population. In the world he is the 8th largest industrial park.
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