Tulsa To Open Oklahoma's First Business Incubator For Immigrant Entrepreneurs

The Tulsa Global District will soon be home to Oklahoma's first business incubator to cater specifically to immigrant entrepreneurs.

The new historic public-private partnership aims to revitalize the 21st and Garnett area and increase entrepreneurship opportunities.

City leaders said the Tulsa Global District is the most culturally diverse community in Tulsa, with over 80 languages spoken and 25 countries represented.

The city said a study on the Tulsa County immigrant community found that entrepreneurship is far higher than the non-immigrant population.

Leaders involved said with the new incubator inside Plaza Santa Cecilia, there will be staff to host workshops and support immigrant entrepreneurs on things like getting permits and loans.

The City of Tulsa invested $ 1 million, and Tulsa County pitched in $120,000, both from COVID-19 relief money.

The George Kaiser Family Foundation contributed $1.4 million through Elevate East, its new program that is funding initiatives in East Tulsa.

Tulsa Mayor GT Bynum said this incubator is long overdue.

"When people place their faith in our city, we want them to find the success here that they hoped for when they left their homeland, and we believe a business incubator like this is a key part of making that happen,” said Bynum.

Groundbreaking for the construction of the business incubator is set for this summer.

Current businesses inside Plaza Santa Cecilia will be able to stay there during the renovations.