| a is a large state in the American heartland, with | | | | U.S. natural gas assets. They are involved in |
| almost 3.5 million people. Of those, 1.1 million live in | | | | exploratory and developmental drilling and |
| the capital and largest city, Oklahoma City, on the | | | | corporate and property acquisitions in the Fort |
| Oklahoma River. It is also the largest city in the | | | | Worth Barnett Shale, Fayetteville Shale, Permian |
| Great Plains Region. The other large city in | | | | Basin, the Texas Gulf Coast and other U.S. |
| Oklahoma is Tulsa, which is along the Arkansas | | | | regions. |
| River, and has a metropolitan area which is home | | | | Tulsa is another economic center of the state. |
| to 900,000 people. Both cities are involved in the | | | | The city has the nation's most inland sea port and |
| oil industry, even though they have been trying to | | | | Oklahoma's only connection to the ocean, the |
| diversify their economies in recent years. So, you | | | | Tulsa Port of Catoosa, which connects the state |
| have the oil and gas industry, plus regional | | | | with the Gulf of Mexico through the Arkansas |
| transportation hubs. These may be some ideas | | | | River and Mississippi River. Tulsa has a number of |
| for your Howard Giske writes about how to get | | | | oil and energy related company headquarters. |
| your | | | | Tulsa is also home to an extensive aircraft and |
| Oklahoma Incorporation. Agricultural products from | | | | airlines sector, with American Airlines maintenance |
| Oklahoma include soy, wheat, cattle, poultry, dairy | | | | center located there. |
| and eggs. It is a major wheat production area and | | | | Because of Oklahoma's central location it has |
| also for the production of beef. Other prominent | | | | parts of the traditions of the West, South and |
| products of the state are pecans, peanuts and | | | | Mid-West. In Guthrie, Oklahoma, the Lazy E ranch |
| peaches. | | | | is a place where rodeos take place. Other than |
| Oklahoma City has become the headquarters for | | | | the rodeos, it is primarily a working horse ranch. It |
| companies in the new reorganized and deregulated | | | | is involved in breeding horses and producing race |
| natural gas and oil production sector. One of the | | | | horses. In the town of Shawnee, there is the |
| independent oil and gas companies that have | | | | two-day Christian Cowboy gathering. This event |
| made Oklahoma City its headquarters is Devon | | | | takes place in October and includes Christian |
| Energy. Devon produces 3-percent of the natural | | | | music, cowboy poetry, kid’s events and |
| gas consumed in North America. Its operation | | | | yes, rodeos. There are many areas of Native |
| focus is primarily on North America though it is | | | | American displays of arts and dance. In February, |
| expanding into other parts of the world. Devon | | | | in Tulsa the Indian Art Festival takes place. In |
| has approximately 4,600 employees worldwide | | | | November, there is an Indian Pow-wow in Pryor, |
| and is a Fortune 500 company. | | | | Oklahoma, that is opened to the public. This event |
| Also headquartered in Oklahoma City is | | | | and similar events feature native art, food and |
| Chesapeake Energy, which is the third largest | | | | dancing. The corporate tax rate in Oklahoma is |
| independent producer of natural gas in the U.S. | | | | only a flat tax of 6-percent. There is also a |
| They are an active driller of new wells in the U.S. | | | | significant state property tax. |
| and one of the leading consolidators of onshore | | | | |