§ 74-5003.2. Statement of needs - Oklahoma Department of Commerce created - Status.

A.  Recognizing the geographic diversity of this state, Oklahoma needs one central, primary public-sector economic development agency for the state in order to manage or coordinate all public sector economic development activity.

Oklahoma needs an agency to work at the community and firm level to:

1.  Create new and higher quality jobs for the people of this state through the expansion, creation, restructuring and recruitment of export-oriented Oklahoma firms which produce value-added goods, services and processes;

2.  Encourage statewide economic diversification and stability;              3.  Maintain a two-way flow of information between the central state economic development agency and firms, farms and communities;

4.  Implement the strategic economic development five-year plan; and

5.  Carry out policy development and research in support of Oklahoma Futures.

B.  The Oklahoma Department of Commerce is hereby constituted an agency of state government.

C.  Whenever the terms "Department of Economic Development" or "Department of Economic and Community Affairs" appear in the Oklahoma Statutes they shall mean and refer to the Oklahoma Department of Commerce.

Added by Laws 1986, c. 207, § 9, operative July 1, 1986. Amended by Laws 1987, c. 222, § 9, operative July 1, 1987. Renumbered from § 5003 by Laws 1987, c. 222, § 122, operative July 1, 1987.