Oklahoma cited as having lowest cost of living in U.S.
Oklahoma has the lowest cost of living in the U.S., according to a personal finance and investing company.
With average total annual expenditures of $62,898, Oklahoma is the cheapest state to live, with a general cost of living that’s 14.8% lower than the national average, according to GOBankingRates.
“The real savings, however, are in housing. Residents pay 31.5% less than the rest of the country,” the company said.
GOBankingRates said it used data from the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and determined the cost-of-living index in each state compared to the overall national average.
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The study included costs associated with six categories: Housing, utilities, groceries, healthcare, transportation and miscellaneous expenses, the company said.
Hawaii was listed as the most expensive state, with average expenditures of $131,560.
Regional states and their rankings from lowest to highest and average expenditures, according to the company are:
- Arkansas (44th), $64,941
- Colorado (16th), $76,688
- Kansas (48th), $63,554
- Missouri (45th), $64,576
- New Mexico (31st), $68,589
- Texas (32nd), $67,640
New York-based company offering TSA PreCheck service at airport
A New York City-based company will offer travelers at Tulsa International Airport signups for TSA PreCheck.
The company, CLEAR, will offer new registrations and renewals seven days a week.
Details for those wanting to register or renew TSA PreCheck at TUL:
- No appointment needed
- Available Monday-Sunday from 6 a.m.-5 pm. at Tulsa International Airport’s TSA Security Checkpoint with CLEAR
- Must bring passport or other acceptable documentation to one of CLEAR’s ambassadors to complete their PreCheck enrollment or renewal
- Service is available for anyone to enroll or re-enroll in the PreCheck program. TUL’s CLEAR enrollment pods are located pre-security, so the general public is able to sign up even if they’re not flying.
TSA PreCheck members benefit from the convenience of keeping shoes, belts and light jackets on through the security checkpoint, and keeping electronics and 3-1-1 compliant liquids in carry-on bags. Members typically get through security screening much faster, with about 99% of members waiting less than 10 minutes at airport checkpoints nationwide.
ONEOK invests $480M for increased energy, capacity for Denver
Tulsa-based ONEOK, Inc. announced plans to expand its pipeline capacity connecting Mid-Continent and Gulf Coast refined products supply with the greater Denver area to meet growing demand and increase connectivity with Denver International Airport.
The project includes construction of a new 230-mile, 16-inch diameter pipeline from Scott City, Kansas, to the Denver airport and the addition or upgrading of pump stations along the existing refined products pipeline system.
Total system capacity will increase by 35,000 barrels per day and will have additional expansion capabilities, ONEOK said. The project is expected to cost about $480 million and be completed in mid-2026.
“ONEOK is uniquely positioned to help meet the growing demand for refined products and renewable fuels across the greater Denver area of Colorado,” said Pierce H. Norton II, ONEOK president and chief executive officer.
“This project will provide additional needed capacity for various transportation fuels, including aviation and sustainable aviation fuel to support increasing demand from the expansion of Denver International Airport.
“This announcement is another example of the attractive-return growth opportunities ahead of us following the acquisition of our refined products and crude oil businesses,” Norton said. “We remain focused on addressing growing energy demand while maintaining our commitment to safe and reliable operations.”
HoganTaylor announces merger with Talent Acquisition Group
Tulsa-based HoganTaylor LLP, one of the largest business advisory and public accounting firms in Oklahoma and Arkansas, announced an expansion of its talent services business through a merger agreement with Talent Acquisition Group (TAG). TAG and HoganTaylor’s existing talent practice will do business as HoganTaylor Talent.
HoganTaylor has offered clients a wide array of talent development and talent management services for nearly a decade, including HR outsourcing and compliance, strategic planning facilitation, team-based training, executive coaching, and succession development.
“The competition for executive talent is intense across all industries, and we at HoganTaylor have sought to provide value-added talent solutions to our clients,” Robert Wagner, Specialty Services Leader at HoganTaylor, said. “Joining forces with TAG allows us to offer our clients a more comprehensive suite of talent solutions so they can spend more time on what matters most — growing their business.”
TAG’s primary service is its executive search offering, which provides retained executive recruitment with straightforward terms, performance-based milestones, and an unparalleled “white glove” experience for both clients and candidates. TAG advisors also provide clients with general talent acquisition guidance, including strategy, assessment, training, vendor selection, process refinement, and tool implementation.
Osage Nation announces small business loan program
The Osage Nation said it is launching a $5 million small business program, made possible by the U.S. Treasury’s State Small Business Credit Initiative.
The program will stimulate the local economy with loans and equity investments for small businesses in Osage County and for businesses owned by Osage Tribal members living anywhere across the U.S., the tribe said
The support “is expected to drive growth and employment in the Osage Nation community, fueling businesses to make dreams a reality,” a news release said.
“The Osage Nation has tremendous business diversity, including art, fashion, and food. This program aims to stimulate the success of existing businesses and encourage the creation of new businesses through job creation, financial education, and improved relations between Osages and financial institutions, ultimately benefiting the Osage Nation constituency,” the release said.
“Osage Nation is an extraordinary community of artists, makers, entrepreneurs, and visionaries,” said Osage Nation Principal Chief Geoffrey Standing Bear. “Investing in Osages is a winning strategy to build a more successful economy, and we are proud to launch this program to help our people reach their professional goals.”
The program loans are available through participating community banks for business purposes, including startup costs, working capital, business procurement, franchise fees, equipment, inventory, and the purchase, construction, or renovation of an eligible place of business.
Loans can range from $10,000 to $20 million, with a maximum term of loan participation of 10 years, the release said.
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