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, 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;
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 Director 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.
Added by Laws 1992, c. 259, § 1, emerg. eff. May 22, 1992. Amended by Laws 1994, c. 322, § 27, emerg. eff. June 8, 1994; Laws 1999, c. 71, § 1, emerg. eff. April 7, 1999.