Okla. Stat. tit. 74, § 74-5003.10

authority.

The Oklahoma Department of Commerce shall have the authority to:

1. Disseminate information concerning the industrial,

commercial, governmental, educational, cultural, agricultural,

business and other advantages and attractions of the state;

2. Assist public and private agencies in the preparation of

informational and publicity programs designed to attract or retain

business and industry for the state;

3. Obligate and expend funds for services performed by local

political subdivisions of the state, state agencies, including

universities and colleges within and without the state, and federal

agencies for research and training in conformity with the general

state laws governing such activity; and apply for, accept,

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administer and expend grants from the federal government and any

other public or private sources for research and training purposes;

4. Conduct, publish and disseminate or encourage research

designed to further new and more extensive uses of the natural and

other resources of the state and designed to develop and

commercialize new products and commercial processes;

5. Study trends and developments in the industries of the state

and analyze the reasons underlying such trends; study costs within

the state; and make recommendations regarding circumstances

promoting or hampering business and industrial development;

6. Generally gather, compile and make available economic

analyses and statistical information relating to business, trade,

commerce, industry, transportation, communication, natural

resources, population and other like subjects in this state, with

authority to call upon other agencies, universities and colleges of

the state for statistical data and results obtained by them, and to

arrange and compile such economic analyses and statistical

information in such a manner as it deems advisable;

7. Study such other scientific, industrial, financial and

economic issues as, in the judgment of the Department, shall be

deemed of value to the people of the state;

8. Support and assist the efforts of state, regional and local

development organizations, industrial committees, chambers of

commerce, agricultural organizations, labor organizations and other

similar public and private agencies to obtain new and to foster

expansion of existing service, industrial and manufacturing

facilities, businesses and enterprises; and to foster community

improvements in leadership, expertise, human development,

infrastructure, public facilities and quality of life; and to expand

data availability and utilization opportunities;

9. Maintain a continuing evaluation of the sources available

for the financing of the development or expansion of industrial,

agricultural and commercial facilities in this state through both

public and private agencies;

10. Assist in obtaining financing for the development and

expansion of industrial, agricultural and commercial facilities in

the state;

11. Serve as the state’s official liaison agency between

persons interested in locating new economic enterprises in Oklahoma

and state and local groups seeking new enterprises. In this

respect, the Department shall aid communities in organizing for and

obtaining new businesses and expanding existing businesses and shall

process requests which reflect interest in locating economic

enterprises in the state;

12. Promote the sale and facilitate the marketing of Oklahoma

products including agricultural and value-added products in the

international market;

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13. Encourage the location of foreign manufacturing plants and

other industries in Oklahoma;

14. Coordinate the international efforts of the various state

agencies without violating the individual authority given those

agencies by statute;

15. Coordinate and serve as liaison to the private sector as

needed;
the

international market;

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13. Encourage the location of foreign manufacturing plants and

other industries in Oklahoma;

14. Coordinate the international efforts of the various state

agencies without violating the individual authority given those

agencies by statute;

15. Coordinate and serve as liaison to the private sector as

needed;

16. Establish, subject to an annual appropriation or private

gifts, offices outside the state boundaries. The offices may be

operated by the state or may be operated pursuant to contract which

shall not be subject to the competitive bid laws of the State of

Oklahoma. The Department shall prepare an annual report concerning

the activities of the offices and submit it to the Governor and the

Legislature. The Chief Executive Officer of the Oklahoma Department

of Commerce shall notify in writing the Governor, the President Pro

Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of

Representatives that the Department intends to establish a new

office pursuant to this paragraph at least thirty (30) days prior to

the establishment of the new office or execution of a contract;

17. Establish a system of not less than six geographic regions

for promoting new or existing businesses, assisting in the expansion

of small and medium sized manufacturers through a modernization

program, creating new jobs, and assisting local businesses,

political subdivisions or other entities to better utilize the

services of the Department;

18. Solicit, accept and expend donations and contributions from

any source, whether public or private, in order to advertise,

promote or disseminate information which may assist in the

recruitment of companies, firms or jobs to Oklahoma, including but

not limited to the Oklahoma Quality Jobs Program Act, and any other

acts which the Department administers or which may assist the

Department in the performance of its mission. The Department shall

deposit any funds collected pursuant to this paragraph in the

“Oklahoma Department of Commerce Revolving Fund” created by Section

5012 of this title; and

19. Enter into contracts at fair market value for the rental of

office space in any facility under its control to entities engaged

in activities related to the export of goods produced in Oklahoma.

The Department shall deposit any funds collected pursuant to this

paragraph in the “Oklahoma Department of Commerce Revolving Fund”

created by Section 5012 of this title.