BIZJET, Tulsa. Centrally located in Tulsa, Bizjet employs approximately 250 people, and has been servicing corporate aircraft since 1986. They are recognized in the aircraft industry for world-class airframe and engine maintenance, state-of-the-art avionics installations and custom interior refurbishment. Bizjet's One Stop Shop is dedicated to quality service and support of cooperate aircraft, world-wide. Bernd Kowalewski is their President and CEO.

CONTINENTAL RESOURCES, INC. Continental Resources is a large independent oil and natural gas exploration and production company based in Enid. Exploration activities are targeted to large repeatable resource plays where horizontal drilling and other enhanced recovery technologies provide the means to economically develop and produce oil and natural gas reserves from unconventional formations. Employment totals 330, with 220 in Oklahoma. Harold Hamm is their CEO.

Highway accessibility, labor availability and costs and available land/sites were identified as the major site selection factors in the recent Area Development Magazine survey of the nation's top location consultants.

Top Ten Factors

1. Highway accessibility
2. Availability of skilled labor
3. Labor costs
4. Available land
5. Fast-track permitting
6. State and local incentives
7. Tax exemptions
8. Proximity to major markets
9. Energy availability and costs
10. Advanced information, communications and technology services

Quality of life factors are also important and often serve as a key determinant in a new location/expansion search. Factors are: public school ranking, crime rate, housing costs, higher education assets, health facilities, recreational and cultural opportunities.

Roundtable members will be asked to participate in two important surveys. The first, from Secretary Natalie Shirley, was sent to you several days ago.

The second will be a very brief Membership Survey from Chairman Steve Hendrickson. It will help the Roundtable gain valuable insight regarding communication, events and programming for the future.

Please participate in both surveys. In both cases results will be shared with all members.

A recent study indicated that taxes are a motivator because the eight states without an income tax are stealing talent from other states. They are Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wyoming. These states all reflect a significant increase in immigration the past several years.

Contrary to folks that believe Americans are willing to pay more taxes to get better government services, these migration patterns reveal just the opposite.