Energy

ONEOK Building in Downtown Tulsa, OK

The Natural Choice for Energy

Tulsa’s energy industry supports the direct employment of over 24,000 workers and has a $10 billion direct impact to the economy. Tulsa is also at the center of innovation in Energy Tech. As one of North America’s major energy capitals, clean energy companies like WilliamsONEOK,  and AEP-PSO represent a significant portion of Tulsa’s economy.

As renewable energy and efficiency initiatives grow, they create an incentive for energy companies to enhance their operations through automation, analytics, and operational technology. Tulsa is a leader in clean, sustainable energy technology development, with local companies like ClearSign Technologies, Francis Energy, and W Energy Software adding to a growing network of technology-oriented energy startups taking root in Tulsa.

  • Talent Pipeline
  • Energy Incentives
  • Infrastructure
Talent Pipeline
A man works on a computer while sitting at a desk.
Talent Pipeline

State-led initiatives lead to public awareness that drives industry success. Through a unique partnership, post-secondary students from Tulsa County can attend Tulsa Community College for free for two years through Tulsa Achieves, and transfer their credits to undergraduate programs any of six regional universities. Further, Oklahoma State University has placed its primary materials science research center, the Helmerich Research Center, in Tulsa and the University of Tulsa is recognized as a nationwide leader of higher education in energy. The University of Oklahoma, Langston University (HBCU), Oral Roberts University, and Northeastern Oklahoma State University also call Tulsa home.

Energy Incentives
blue solar panels
Energy Incentives

Tulsa energy companies are driven by strong support from a flourishing industry. Energy companies in Tulsa have access to success-building incentives such as the Zero-Emission Facilities Income Tax Credit. There are also incentives for workforce and recruiting from the state of Oklahoma including the Oklahoma Quality Jobs & Investment Tax Credit, the 21st Century Quality Jobs Program and the Software/Cybersecurity Workforce Tax Credit. Foriegn Trade Zones and Freeport Tax Exemptions also contribute to business return on investment when locating in Tulsa.

Infrastructure
Water gushes through the Zink Dam in Tulsa, OK.
Infrastructure

Tulsa’s multimodal transportation network charts the course for energy innovation throughout the world. Cushing, the world’s largest oil storage hub and the pipeline capital of the world, is a short 50 miles west of Tulsa. As a result, our proximity and international airport have led multiple pipeline companies to call Tulsa home. But beyond pipeline transportation, Tulsa boasts the majority of exports from Oklahoma, due in part to the multi-modal transportation options offered by the Tulsa Port, the furthest inland ice-free port in North America, and the benefits of its Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ).

Major Employers

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The Stories That Inspire Us

September 12, 2023

Meet the Team: Michelle Barnett, SVP of Economic and Workforce Development for PartnerTulsa

The transition from a career in civil engineering to economic development may seem like a detour to some but for our Senior Vice President of Economic and Workforce Development, Michelle Barnett– the destination is clear:…
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September 11, 2023

Downtown Tulsa to Host Park(ing) Day Event Sept. 15; Businesses to Offer Pop-Up Parks, Public Spaces in Place of Parking Spots

Downtown Tulsa to Host Park(ing) Day Event Sept. 15; Businesses to Offer Pop-Up Parks, Public Spaces in Place of Parking Spots  (Tulsa, OK) – On Friday, September 15, on-street parking spaces in Downtown Tulsa will…
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September 9, 2023

Community Partner Profile: How Tulsa Innovation Labs is Launching Tulsa’s Advanced Air Mobility Industry

Each month we highlight community members and the projects they lead. Interested in keeping up with our work? Sign up for our newsletter for monthly updates and breaking news. With the goal of generating more…
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Contact Us

Michelle Barnett
Svp, Economic & Workforce Development michelle@partnertulsa.org (918) 606-4728