Tulsa Companies Hiring Could Be Sign Of Rebounding Economy

By Emory Bryan, The News On 6

TULSA, OK -- Some Tulsa area companies are hiring, not in big numbers, but hiring after almost a year of layoffs. It could be a sign of rebounding economy.

We hear lots about layoffs and Tulsa has had plenty, but the always optimistic Chamber of Commerce says it's beginning to see signs of change. They've identified eight companies that are hiring 361 people.

Whenever a QuikTrip expands or is rebuilt, the company adds jobs, and that's just one of the companies that says it's bullish on Tulsa.

"And we think things are great, or like everybody else, we wouldn't be spending the time or capital to grow," said Mike Thornbrugh, QuikTrip.

The Tulsa Metro Chamber of Commerce says it's getting reports that all sorts of companies are beginning to hire employees.

"We are hiring. We hired 15 new associates in March of this year, and we'll be hiring additional associates for auto and fire opportunities in June," said Dorothy Wampler, State Farm.

Eighteen months ago, M & M Manufacturing had just completed an expansion and was hiring. The recession followed, and the company ultimately laid off five employees. 

Now they're back to hiring, already adding 20 employees this year, with plans to add 10 more.

"What we're realizing is that we can find the good quality help and quality contracts to support that and increase one or two at a time to get where we need to be," said Kenneth Statton, M & M Manufacturing.

Company President Kenneth Statton says he's hiring because other companies are spending money.

"The biggest thing we've seen is not just the aircraft sector, but some of the local companies we do work for have started to increase again," said Statton.

US Cellular says it has hired 78 people this year in Tulsa and plans to hire 80 more.

"The biggest reason is that we see the workforce here and we like the talent we get and we also have loyalty from the community," said Nancy Fratzke, U.S. Cellular.

Besides the jobs these companies create, the chamber says the increase will add other support jobs -- the same multiplier effect that comes into play when companies lay off employees.