The Future of NEDCPresented by Jason Smith, CEcDPresident and CEO

April 21, 2016Embassy Suites

TODAY’S PRESENTATION

• Recap Last Year

• Organization’s Philosophy

• Strategies for 2016 and Beyond

HIGHLIGHTS 2015 Description 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

Employment Growth + 2,193 +1,460 +1,022 +1,470 +1,875

Net 4.2% 2.7% 1.9% 2.7% 3.2%

Labor force Growth +1,894 +1,662 +537 +963 +1,492

Net 3.5% 3.0% 0.9% 1.7% 2.5%

2011 2012 2013 2014 20150.0%

2.0%

4.0%

6.0%

8.0%

10.0% Unemployment Rate Annualized

Norman State National

Norman Labor Force2015: 61,317

Current Unemployment Rate:3.3%

HIGHLIGHTS 2015

1. Wewoka 9.2%

2. Moore 4.6%

3. Norman 2.7%

4. Watonga 2.5%

5. Broken Arrow 2.3%

6. Shawnee 1.5%

7. Edmond 1.3%

8. Idabel 1.0%

9. Durant 0.7%

Norman was third in the state and one of only nine ‘major’ Oklahoma cities to see retail growth in 2015. (Oklahoma Business Bulletin)

HIGHLIGHTS 2015Announced Jobs Projects• IMMY• Evans Enterprises• BFAC.com• Power Costs Inc.

Total New Jobs: 380Average Salary: $47,000

UPDATES ON ONGOING ACTIVITIES

• North Park • Website • eTec Facilities

What’s Next for NEDC?

THREE A’s of NEDC

• Accessible

• Actions

• Accountable

“Humans used to desire love, money, food, shelter, safety,

peace and freedom more than anything else. Now people want

to have a good job and they want their children to have a

good job.”Jim Clifton

The Coming Jobs War

NEDC MISSION STATEMENT…expand the economic base of the Norman community and enhance the earnings opportunities of area residents by retaining and expanding existing business and industry as well as attracting desirable new employers that are consistent with Norman’s high quality of life.

PROPOSED MISSION STATEMENT…improve the quality of life of Norman residents by creating jobs.

Relationship Based versus

Transactional Based

CORE ACTIVITIES • Help Norman Employers Grow and Succeed

• Position Norman as A Destination for Quality Employers

• Create a World Class Innovation & Entrepreneurial Ecosystem

• Retain and Attract Talented Population

Develop Formal Industry Visitation Program and Report Results

Understand and Develop Messages about What Makes Norman Special

“Norman has the 4th lowest cost of living in the United States.”

C2ER Cost of Living Index

LOWEST COST OF LIVING1. McAllen TX2. Harlingen TX3. Richmond IN4. Norman OK5. Ashland OH

6. Youngstown OH7. Idaho Falls ID8. Hattiesburg MS9. Jackson MS10. Tupelo MS

Source: Council for Community and Economic Research

Provide a Clear Path to Location Decision

Redesign NEDC Incubator Program

Connect Norman to Entrepreneurial Resources

throughout the Metro and State

Consider Fulltime Person Dedicated to

Entrepreneurship & Innovation

Make Talent Attraction and Retention a Top Priority of

NEDC and Norman

SITE SELECTION FACTORS1. Availability of Skilled Labor2. Highway Access3. Quality of Life4. Occupancy & Construction Costs5. Available Buildings

6. Labor Costs7. Corporate Tax Rate8. Proximity to Major Markets9. State & Local Incentives10. Energy Availability & Costs

Source: Area Development 2016 Corporate Survey

“In today’s creative economy, the real source of economic growth comes from the clustering and concentration of

talented and productive people.”

Richard Florida Who’s Your City?

“Best place to make a future Forbes 400 fortune? Start with this proposition: the most valuable natural resource of the

21st century is brains. Smart people tend to be mobile. Watch where they go! Because wherever they go, robust

economic activity will follow.”

Rich Karlgaard

Publisher, Forbes

Branding Norman