UML brings new jobs, helps to re-brand Oklahoma
Monday, December 8, 2008
Since 2006, the UML has brought more than 30 new jobs to North Central Oklahoma. By 2012, that total will quadruple to 120.
“The UML is making a very significant impact on the diversification of the economy of Ponca City,” said David Myers, executive director of the PCDA. “At a time when the global economy is both expanding and contracting, we are seeing scientists, technicians and technical specialists move into town – all with good salaries, all with good education – and that’s making a big difference with respect to our community.”
Of the UML’s current employees, half have a science or engineering background; the other half has a military, tactical or operations background, according to Web Keogh, director of the UML. The majority of the senior technical staff has earned either a master’s or doctoral degree.
“Some of these employees are working at UML partner agencies outside the state, but all the revenue comes right back to Oklahoma,” Keogh said.
The UML made more than $2.3 million in revenue for FY08. In FY09, the UML projects that total to increase to more than $4 million. By 2012, the UML is projected to make more than $20 million a year.
“We are right on track with our original business plan for both personnel and revenue,” Keogh said.
For Ponca City, Myers said that translates into more than $233,000 in annual sales taxes and more than $6.6 million in annual retail purchases.
Even with numbers this impressive, Myers believes the UML’s biggest impact is its ability to attract new, knowledge-based companies to Oklahoma.
“We’re seeing the real impact in terms of spin-off businesses,” Myers said. “We’re seeing a lot of interest from private companies who have discovered North Central Oklahoma in particular because of the UML.”
Myers believes the UML will ultimately help shape Oklahoma’s future.
“It’s really attracting a lot of attention to the state that we didn’t used to get,” Myers said. “We’ve got researchers, principal investigators, etc. looking at Oklahoma as a place where they can come and push the boundaries of their field while at the same time earning competitive compensation and enjoying a lifestyle few thought really existed. It’s really re-establishing and re-branding Oklahoma as a state.
“The movement toward knowledge-based research is exactly what this state set out to do a decade ago and we’re starting to see the fruits of it.”
The checks, which were presented to the UML by ConocoPhillips and the PCDA at the Ponca City Hall this morning, are the third installment of a combined $4 million committed to OSU by the organizations in 2006. Part of ConocoPhillips commitment includes the donation of the UML’s current 70,000 square-foot headquarters in Ponca City.