While the city’s use of sales tax revenue through MAPS has gained the most attention over the past decade, the city has also turned to tax increment financing (TIF) as another way to leverage tax dollars into economic development. By creating a TIF district, the city provides public incentives to developers with the increase in […]
Ben Felder
Posted inArts & Culture
Energy FC begin new era with win over Orange County
First professional game, first goal and first win. Energy FC kicked off its first season in franchise history with a 2-0 win over the Orange County Blues in Irvine on April 5. “I think overall it was a very strong performance,” head coach Jimmy Nielsen said following the match. “When you consider this is the […]
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Islamic advocacy group celebrates SQ755 defeat
As the Oklahoma chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) held its annual banquet Saturday, guests celebrated a year of advocacy that was highlighted by the defeat of State Question 755, a amendment to the state constitution approved by voters four years ago. “It was a pure political ploy and it was unsuccessful,” said […]
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Study looks at need for convention center hotel subsidies
The council heard a presentation Tuesday from Tom Morsch, managing director of The PFM Group, an investment advisory firm performing a hotel feasibility study for the city. With a new convention center planned for Oklahoma City in the coming years as part of MAPS 3, the council has discussed what tax incentives might be needed […]
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Court gives mixed ruling in storm shelter fight
Take Shelter Oklahoma, a group that had been collecting signatures to force a ballot question to use $500 million in state bonds to build shelters, filed a lawsuit against Attorney General Scott Pruitt last year after he changed the language on their petition and ballot. The lawsuit made its way to the state Supreme Court, […]
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Council offers tax incentives for two facilities
The Oklahoma City Council voted Tuesday to offer tax incentives to General Electric and Baker Hughes for new facilities expected to create hundreds of high-paying jobs. Baker Hughes will receive $850,000 and General Electric will receive $1 million, assuming each company meets job creation expectations. The council voted unanimously to approve the incentives, but Ward […]
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Metro briefs
Sales tax collections dip Oklahoma City’s combined sales tax collections were 5 percent below target for the year in March. “The thing that has had the biggest impact [in declining sales tax] is income levels are down a bit in the metro area,” said Doug Dowler, the city’s budget director. A response with major spending […]
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For the record
Jennifer Day Photo: Mark Hancock “This is really fascinating stuff,” Day said. “But I also might be a little bit of a nerd.” As the city’s archivist, Day is tasked with organizing the documents and artifacts that date back to the city’s founding 125 years ago. Hired in 2012 as OKC’s first archivist, Day has […]
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All in to win
“The only chance that [Ed] Shadid had was to have a very small turnout election,” said Pat McFerron, referring to Cornett’s challenger on the March 4 ballot. McFerron, who is a partner with CMA Strategies and worked on the mayor’s campaign, said the fact that turnout for last month’s mayoral race nearly doubled from the […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Handle with care
Robbie Kienzie Photo: Shannon Cornman Art pieces and sculptures often require specialized service when being repaired, installed or moved, and the Oklahoma City Council agreed last week to accept bids for an on-call art handler. “There is a care that needs to be used with fine objects,” said Robbie Kienzle, the city’s liaison for art […]