Scott-Macon Opens New Tulsa Facility

By Dan Bewley and Scott Thompson, The News On 6

TULSA, OK -- A Tulsa business is celebrating in its new home.  Scott-Macon Equipment says it's bucking the trend during a tough time.  The owner of Scott-Macon says his new building is a sign that Oklahoma's economy is on a different playing field than the rest of the country.

Amid the tall cranes and heavy machinery, a celebration is underway at Scott-Macon Equipment at 9477 North Ridgeway.  The Tulsa business is christening its new building, a 10,000 square foot shop on five acres of land.

Scott-Macon provides cranes and other lifting equipment to construction companies.  Al Scott started Scott-Macon in 1973.

"We came to Tulsa roughly three and a-half years ago," said Al Scott, company founder.

He says the construction business in Oklahoma is doing very well and he expects President Obama's economic stimulus plan to give the industry a shot in the arm.

"We hope to see it in the infrastructure side in road building, bridge building, bridge repair, and we're hoping power line work will grow," said Al Scott.

Construction on Tulsa's Inner Dispersal Loop is expected to provide a big boost.  It's the largest project ever attempted by ODOT.  Industry insiders say it will take a few months before we start seeing a big boost from stimulus projects but, they say the ripple effects are already being felt.

"In the last month or so, we have definitely seen an increase in activity, a lot more rentals and a lot more quotations," said Janice Moeller, branch manager.

Company leaders expect that trend to continue and, they say, their brand new facility is a step in the right direction and proof of their confidence in the Oklahoma economy. 

"We are committed to the area, as you can tell from our new facility here and we think it's a great opportunity because we think it's an expanding area, a growing one and we want to be here for many, many years to come," said Al Scott.

Scott-Macon is based in New York and employs 20 people at its Tulsa facility, but they hope to add more jobs in the future.