Ford, Lincoln and Mercury dealers reported a 21 percent increase in retail sales in August, its second consecutive increase in monthly sales.

Overall, total sales, including fleet customer deliveries, were 176,323, up 17 percent versus last year. Ford has gained retail market share in 10 of the last 11 months, according to a company statement.

“We have the freshest lineup of new products in the industry,” said Ken Czubay, Ford vice president, U.S. Marketing, Sales and Service.  “Ford’s leadership in quality, fuel-efficiency, safety and technology all are resonating with consumers, and it is being reflected in our sales results.”

Early signs of economic recovery are suggested by this month’s sales results for Ford’s pickup trucks and the all-new Transit Connect van.  Sales of the Ford F-Series – America’s best-selling truck – were 45,590, up 13 percent.  Sales of the Ford Ranger – the most-fuel-efficient pickup in America – were 7,746, up 57 percent.  Sales for each truck were the highest in more than a year, and it was the first sales increase for F-Series since October 2006. 

The Transit Connect, a small, fuel-efficient purpose-built van, is the first ONE FORD global vehicle to be sold in the United States.  August sales for the Transit Connect were 2,220 versus 417 in July, and sales were 70 percent higher than the company’s goal for the month.

“We’re very pleased with the balanced performance of our products – from Focus to F-Series,” said Czubay.  “We are hopeful that the sales of our pickups and all-new Transit Connect are an indication that small business owners are seeing signs of recovery and gaining confidence in the outlook for stronger business conditions.”

Other August sales highlights, according to the company:

– Ford Focus sales totaled 25,547, an August record and up 56 percent versus a year ago.  The Focus is among the most fuel-efficient compact cars in America with an EPA highway rating of 35 mpg.

– Ford Fusion sales totaled 21,010, a sales record for any month and up 132 percent versus a year ago.  Mercury Milan sales were 3,844, up 112 percent.  The Fusion and Milan and their hybrid versions are the most fuel-efficient mid-size sedans in America.

– Ford Escape sales totaled 20,933, a sales record for August, and up 49 percent versus a year ago.  Mercury Mariner sales were 3,921 (also a record for August), up 50 percent.  The Escape Hybrid and Mariner Hybrid are the most fuel-efficient utility vehicles in America.

– Ford Edge sales totaled 10,845, an August sales record and up 9 percent versus a year ago.

– Ford Flex sales totaled 4,151, an August sales record and up 107 percent versus a year ago.  The Flex is among the most fuel-efficient full-size crossover utilities in America.

– Total Ford, Lincoln and Mercury crossover utility vehicle sales were 42,241, an August sales record and up 28 percent versus a year ago.

– Ford’s hybrid vehicles – Fusion, Milan, Escape and Mariner – posted combined sales of 4,695, an August sales record and up 251 percent versus a year ago.  At 41 miles per gallon, the Fusion Hybrid is the most fuel-efficient mid-size sedan in America – 8 mpg better than the Toyota Camry Hybrid.

Southeastern Freight Lines, with operations in Oklahoma, has set a new record in meeting its scheduled delivery times.

So far this year, the company met its scheduled delivery 99.2 percent of the time, exceeding the company record of 98.95 percent of last year. In addition, the company averages 455 shipments before a claim for damage is filed, exceeding the company’s record of 345 shipments per claim last year.  The company is also setting records in driver safety, pickup and delivery (P&D) cost, dock efficiency and load average, according to a company statement.

“The foundation of Southeastern’s success is trusted and reliable service, and this is achieved first and foremost through our commitment to our employees,” said Mike Heaton, a senior vice president for Southeastern. “We
attribute this success to excellent employee morale, which is at an all-time high.”

Last fall, Southeastern executives developed a “Keep Our People Working Task Force” to determine how the company could continue its practice of never laying off an employee. Strategies include finding creative ways to give
everyone enough hours as well as reducing expenses – all conducted with a commitment to not erode customer service.

Heaton said that the company is committed to avoiding layoffs and is perhaps the only company to avoid layoffs in the LTL (less-than-truckload) trucking industry. Employees recognize and appreciate the company’s commitment, resulting in an even greater focus on operational excellence and customer service goals.

 “The company’s leadership founded the company almost 60 years ago on the core value of being committed to our employees, knowing that in turn, they will take care of our customers. That heritage continues to benefit our company and customers today,” he said.

While other companies are cutting expenses in ways that often degrades service to customers, Southeastern has continued to invest in the future, such as expanding service into Mexico and providing customers with “real-time” shipping status reports. Investments in dock management systems reduce labor costs and increase efficiency, making the company very competitive in pricing, the statement said.

Southeastern has facilities in Tulsa and Oklahoma City. Their web site is www.sefl.com

While rural Americans make up 20-25 percent of the nation’s population, only nine percent of the nation’s physicians work in rural areas, according to the Agency for Health Care Research and Quality.

However, some rural communities are working to change those numbers by utilizing the lending programs of Rural Enterprises of Oklahoma, Inc., in partnership with the U. S. Small Business Administration and local banks.

Examples of what’s happening in rural Oklahoma communities like Durant, McAlester, McLoud, Owasso, Ponca City and Guthrie, abound.

The Sturch Family Clinic in Durant has a 4,290 sq. ft. expansion project underway with help of REI, SBA and First United Bank & Trust.  The expansion will make room for additional medical professionals to further increase access to health care for area citizens, according to an REI press release.

In McAlester, KidzChoice, PC is bringing specialized medical care to patients from birth to
 age 21 and in Guthrie, the Ringrose Clinic, Inc. offers medical care specializing in gastroenterology/endoscopy procedures.  Both medical care businesses chose business financing available through REI, their local lenders and SBA, the release said.

Similar projects can be found in Owasso and Ponca City.  The Owasso Family Chiropractic, Inc. and the dental offices of Phillip A. Tyndall in Ponca City also utilized these working partnerships to obtain the needed financing for their chiropractic and dental service businesses.

 “Business financing is still very much accessible and readily available, even in today’s economic environment,” said Tom Seth Smith, REI President & CEO.  “REI still has funds available for lending and we aren’t limited to one program – we have quite diversity and we can help the business choose the one best suited for its particular need.”

Smith also said REI offers more than the initial business financing.

  “We go beyond the norm and provide technical assistance and even training workshops to help the business along the way and we have five office locations so our services and assistance are available statewide,” he said.

 REI is a non-profit economic development organization with a mission to create jobs and stimulate the economy through business assistance services.  For a complete overview of services and office locations, visit www.ruralenterprises.com.  REI also has Facebook and Twitter  accounts.  Just search for “Rural Enterprises” and become an REI fan to stay up to date on all programs and activities.

Information may also be obtained by calling 800-658-2823.

Last Updated ( Monday, 24 August 2009 )

Local Circle K business leaders will host a conference call with Oklahoma reporters today to discuss a national campaign calling on Congress to end hidden credit card fees known as interchange or “swipe fees.”

Oklahoma City’s Circle K stores are joining nearly 3,000 stores in 34 states nationwide in a summer petition drive. They’re hoping customers will join in signing a petition asking Congress to rein in these unfair hidden fees that drive up costs for business and customers alike.

Circle K expects to deliver nearly three-quarters of a million signatures to Congress after the petition drive concludes on Labor Day, according to a company press release.

Swipe fees are the fees charged to businesses whenever one of their customers uses plastic to pay.  These fees cost Americans $48 billion a year – more than credit card annual fees, cash advance fees, over-the-limit fees, and late fees combined, the release said.

The rates are set in secret and mandated by the big banks with no chance for negotiation, and the amount the big banks have raked in on swipe fees has tripled since 2001, despite the steady decline in the cost of processing credit card transactions, according to store officials.

Lynda Gromek, Circle K’s Region Operations Director for the Southwest, and an Oklahoma City Circle K store manager will share their stories and talk about their participation in the petition drive.

They will be joined on the conference call by Lyle Beckwith of the National Association of Convenience Stores, and Doug Kantor of the Merchants Payments Coalition, a group of small business owners and retailers across the country who have launched a grassroots campaign to ask Congress to reform the abusive swipe fee system.

WHEN:           Wednesday, August 19th, at 1:15 PM Central

TO JOIN:        Dial-in number: 800-894-5910,  Conference ID: CIRCLE K
Last Updated ( Monday, 24 August 2009 )
 

TAHLEQUAH, Okla.–The link between tribal sovereignty and Oklahoma’s prosperous economy was explained to members of the American Indian Chamber of Commerce of Oklahoma (AICCO) by United States Congressman Tom Cole, recently.

Cole (OK-04) was the keynote speaker of the AICCO Oklahoma City Chapter Wednesday, Aug. 12.

The meeting was conducted at the Gardner Center at the Meinders School of Business at Oklahoma City University in Oklahoma City.

"Watching the Oklahoma economy, we have our series of challenges, but not like the rest of the country," Cole, a Chickasaw citizen, said.

When his Washington colleagues discover Oklahoma’s low unemployment rate, Cole said, "They look at me and ask ‘what in the world is going on in Oklahoma."’ One factor in Oklahoma’s strong economy, explained Cole, is tribally-owned businesses.

"The tribes contribute so much to the Oklahoma economy; they are a huge reason why Oklahoma is prosperous. There are thousands of jobs with tribes. They are here and they are anchored, corporate headquarters will never be moved to Dallas or Houston and jobs will never go to China."

Collectively, Oklahoma Indian tribes are the fourth or fifth largest employer in the state, Cole said.

"That’s a pretty phenomenal number."

Tribal sovereignty is critical to maintaining a healthy Oklahoma economy, Cole said.

"There is an enormous interest in maintaining tribal sovereignty as a state, because of the enormous wealth that is flows into the state, (because of tribal business)."

Tribes, according to Cole, have been working with Washington lawmakers, both Democrat and Republican.

"Tribes are dependant on federal status and tribal issues are not partisan issues at all."

Cole, who is the only Native American in Congress, also touched on other issues facing Indian County during his 20-minute talk.

"A lot of Native American issues are festering or ripe for movement," he said, such as the Indian Health Care Reauthorization Act, which was approved last year by the Senate, but not by the House.

"That bill will come back again, it is working its way through committee," he said.

Another important issue, Cole explained, is a renewed government focus on 8 (a) contracting, a federal business development program that focuses on minorities.

"We need to really keeping an eye on it, because it could really blow up a lot of investment and a lot of opportunity."

He also touched on a recent the Carcieri v. Salazar Supreme Court decision that ruled the Narragansett tribe in Rhode Island was not a nationally-recognized tribe under the Indian-Reorganization Act of 1934.

As a result this tribe cannot put land into trust, he explained.

"We are going to try to get that fixed, legislatively."

That issue, he said, underscores the importance of tribal government and federal government relations.

"Tribes are dependant on federal status; you are what the Congress wants you to be."

He also stressed the importance of keeping Indian County tax credits as a law. "It’s not a permanent law; it comes up every two years.

It is not a tribal issue, its an Oklahoma issue that encourages jobs in Indian Country," he said.

Cole also mentioned the federal budget for Indian p rograms up 14-15 percent, describing it as "catch-up spending."

The meeting ended with the Congressman answering a few questions from chamber members.

Several Chickasaw citizens and business owners attended the meeting. The American Indian Chamber of Commerce of Oklahoma’s purpose is to assist American Indian businesses to expand and grow their business. The Chamber actively supports and nurtures well-planned, long-term business opportunities for members by providing organized access to public sector agencies and private industry.

The Chamber also acts as a collective voice for American Indian businesses on important issues.

For more information about the AICCO, log on to aicco.org.

About Tom Cole

Tom Cole, a Chickasaw citizen, has been Representative for Oklahoma’s Fourth Congressional District since November 6, 2002.

He is an advocate for a strong national defense, a defender of the interests of small business and taxpayers, a proponent of education at all levels and a leader on issues dealing with Native Americans and tribal governments.

Cole was appointed to the House Appropriations Committee in 2009. Cole has previously served on the Armed Services Committee, Natural Resources Committee, Rules Committee and Education and Workforce Committee.

Cole serves as a Deputy Whip in the U.S. House. In this role he helps line up the votes needed to pass the legislative agenda of the House Republican Conference. Cole recently served as Chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee for two years.

This made him a member of the House GOP Leadership. Cole also serves as Republican Co-Chairman of the Native American Caucus.