Oklahoma’s central location and easy, affordable access to domestic and international markets, low business costs and taxes, comprehensive transportation system (interstate, rail, air, and inland ports), cutting-edge incentives, and a technologically skilled workforce make it THE place to live and do business.

Known globally as an oil and gas giant, Oklahoma is rapidly diversifying that power portfolio to become America’s clean energy leader—a primary focus of our FDI efforts. Foreign-owned renewable energy companies, such as Umicore Optical Materials (solar panel parts) and Acciona (wind power facilities and turbines) continue to expand across the state.

In general, about 14,000 foreign-owned companies, such as Labinal, LaFarge, Michelin, and many others in a variety of industries, thrive across the state and employ more than 35,000 people.

5 Reasons Foreign Companies Succeed in Oklahoma:

(1) Gateway to North America  

Oklahoma’s central location, low transportation costs, and comprehensive transportation system—interstate, rail, air, and inland ports—can affordably and easily connect your company to national and worldwide markets. For details, visit the Gateway to North America page.

Highways: Oklahoma sits at the crossroads of I-35, I-44 and I-40, three of the major highways in the United States.

Airports and Trade Zones: Oklahoma is home to 149 public-use airports, two international airports designated as Foreign Trade Zones, and seven offering commercial services.  

Rail: Oklahoma’s extensive rail service and network of carriers operate about 3,853 miles of railroad track, including 2,536 miles of Class 1 service.

Waterways: Oklahoma’s McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System is the nation’s most inland all weather seaport, linking Oklahoma to major U.S. markets along the Mississippi River and to the Gulf of Mexico. Two publicly developed Oklahoma ports at Catoosa and Muskogee are on the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System.

(2) Lower Cost of Business
Oklahoma’s overall cost of doing business consistently ranks among the most competitive in the United States. Specifically, Oklahoma’s labor costs and industrial electric rates are substantially below the U.S. national average, and Oklahoma boasts a fifth lowest overall tax burden. For details, visit the Cost of Doing Business pages: Labor & Employment, Land & Facilities, Taxes, and Utilites.

(3) Pro-Business Incentives
Oklahoma’s business incentives program offers you a choice of cash back quarterly payments of up to 5% of new taxable payroll and a tax credit on new investment.  Additionally, a 5-year Ad Valorem Property Tax Exemption is available for qualifying manufacturing companies. For details, visit the Incentives page. For a customized incentive analysis, contact Erika Lucas, Foreign Direct Investment Manager, Erika_Lucas@OKcommerce.gov, 405-815-5187.

(4) Career-Ready Workforce
Oklahoma’s certified skills-tested workforce supports diverse, technologically advanced industries. Oklahoma’s Workforce Team assists your company with all human resource needs, including recruitment, workforce screening, and no-cost/low-cost customized workforce training. For details, visit the Workforce Training page.
 
(5) Statewide Research & Development Support
Each year in Oklahoma, millions of dollars of federal and state funds are committed to R&D. Through Oklahoma’s R&D organizations, and major institutions of higher education, manufacturers can take advantage of funding and programs, which include technical consulting, laser scanning, reverse engineering, prototyping, stereo lithography cost analysis, process instrumentation, ISO training and LEAN manufacturing among other process improvement methods. Such organizations include: Oklahoma’s Center for the Advancement of Science & Technology (OCAST), Helmerich Advanced Technology Research Center (ATRC), the Manufacturing Center for Applied Research (MCAR); Oklahoma State University, University of Oklahoma, University of Tulsa and CareerTech, among others.

FDI Services Provided by the Oklahoma Department of Commerce
Contact: Erika Lucas, Foreign Direct Investment Manager, Erika_Lucas@OKcommerce.gov, 405-815-5187

• Site location
• Customized incentive analysis
• Supplier/Partner identification
• Visa application assistance; (Download U.S. Visa Information and Frequently Asked Questions from Related Documents.)
• Workforce recruitment and hiring
• No-cost/low-cost, customized startup training
• Regulatory and permitting assistance
• Foreign entrepreneur support; visit the Start or Register a Business page.