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Oklahoma
State Senate
OFFICE OF SENATOR JAY PAUL
GUMM
Atoka, Bryan, Coal, Johnston & Marshall Counties
For Immediate Release: February 17, 2010
Sen. Jay Paul Gumm
Bill to Support Entrepreneurs/Jobs Heads to Full Senate
The pieces of the puzzle are all there, but in order
to create a more successful economic picture, Oklahoma needs to
do a better job of putting those pieces together, according to Sen.
Jay Paul Gumm.
The senator from Durant has won unanimous Senate Appropriations
Committee approval for Senate Bill 1723. The measure, approved Wednesday,
would create the Oklahoma Entrepreneurship Network and grant qualifying
towns the title of Entrepreneur Ready Community.
“This is a program that will tell the world that Oklahoma
is open and ready for business,” Gumm said. “There are
programs scattered throughout multiple entities in state and local
government and the private sector aimed at helping entrepreneurs
and small business owners create jobs.”
“Our goal with this bill is to sharpen the focus of state
government and enable us to do a better job of identifying and coordinating
those services. We want to make it easier for entrepreneurs make
their dreams a reality and put more Oklahomans to work.”
Gumm said under his legislation, the 2nd Century Entrepreneurship
Center would guide and advise the operations of the network, which
would include public and private entities and partnerships with
the shared goal of promoting business and job creation.
“The network may involve better coordination of efforts between
state agencies, local chambers of commerce, colleges, Careertechs
or economic development corporations,” Gumm said. “These
entities would then work together within the network to help develop
business plans, best practices training, and identify sources of
start-up and growth capital.”
The center would also be charged with determining which cities and
towns will earn the title of Entrepreneur Ready Community.
“This title will give qualifying communities an important
marketing tool. It’s also important to remember that the creation
of new businesses has a positive impact on other existing businesses,
by increasing demand for more goods and services,” Gumm said.
“This legislation will help us do a better job of creating
a one-stop-shop for entrepreneurs to help their ideas become a reality
and turn Oklahoma’s economy around.”
The lawmaker said some communities have already contacted his office
about ways to be pilot programs and help enact and implement the
law.
“We have a strong sense in Oklahoma that small business is
critical to our long-term economic health,” he said. “As
we look for ways to strengthen Oklahoma’s economy, there is
no doubt that small businesses are is the key to a brighter future.”
SB 1723 now moves to the full Senate for further consideration.
For more information contact:
Sen. Gumm: 405-521-5586
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