From the Desk of Michael Southard:

How blessed are we in Oklahoma! Our diversified employment base and energy sector have softened the recessionary blow to our economy.

When I watch the national talk shows discuss how the stimulus and jobs bills have influenced the economy, it frightens me to think about how other state economies are floundering. The February jobs figures were released last week and forty-three states either experienced negative or no growth. Michigan had the highest rate at 14.1 and North Dakota the lowest at 4.1. Four states (FL, NV, GA & NC) experienced new highs. The states that weathered the 2009 employment and economic storm continue to outperform the country over the first couple months of 2010.

The BLS recently released 2009 rates for persons unemployed for periods greater than 15 weeks as a percent of workforce. The top ten states were all located between Louisiana and Montana, with the exception of Vermont who tied for tenth. Oklahoma ranked sixth at 2.6%. The 2009 national unemployment figure was over 9% and Oklahoma had the fourth lowest unemployment rate at 6.2%.

As the country moves toward renewable energy sources, the Oklahoma’s future energy economy future continues to shine. Oklahoma is rich with natural gas reserves, is located on the edge of the wind belt, and is located in the region with a lot of sunny days. Each will factor prominently in renewable & green strategies. Being centrally located is also a strategic advantage for distribution with

I look forward to watching Oklahoma’s economy to progress over the course of 2010.