The Tulsa 100

Would you move to Tulsa for a year for $10,000? That’s what the Tulsa Remote program asked when it formed in 2018, inviting remote workers to move to Tulsa for one year in return for cash, help with locating housing, space in a co-working office and community events.

More than 2,400 people applied, accepted the offer and moved to Tulsa, where many have chosen to stay. The program just released an Economic Impact Report which shows that as of the end of 2022, Tulsa Remote members generated $206.7 million in direct employment income and $203 million in new labor income.

– Staff Report, The Oklahoma 100

36 Degrees North works with small businesses and entrepreneurs by providing workshops, training sessions and office space. And when those companies grow, they pump millions of dollars into Tulsa’s economy.

Sounds like a lucrative win-win.

Billing itself as a basecamp for entrepreneurs, startups and innovators, in 2022 36 Degrees North helped 430 companies that launched 140 products, created 2,453 jobs and filed 32 patents. It has 2,135 co-working members and partnered with Tulsa Tech to launch STARTERS, a seven-week bootcamp for innovators.

In the past five years the company has made an impact of $859.9 million on the Tulsa economy.

– Staff Report, The Oklahoma 100

Route 66 covers almost 2,500 miles. Oklahoma has the longest stretch of any state, at over 400 miles.

Visitors who travel the 28-mile stretch in Tulsa will notice it’s a bit brighter than it used to be with the addition of more than 50 neon signs. The City of Tulsa’s Route 66 Commission decided to start a Route 66 Neon Sign Grant to do something impactful on those 28 miles that would draw businesses. Neon signs have been traditional bright spots along the Mother Road.

Business owners can apply for the grants to refurbish existing signs or erect new ones. 

– Staff Report, The Oklahoma 100

For almost 60 years, the Hi-Way Cafe in Vinita has been a popular stop for old-fashioned hamburgers and other diner food on Route 66. Now it has a new claim to fame. It just won a Guinness World Record for putting the most stickers on a car – a whopping 60,066 stickers, beating the previous record of 41,500.

Owner Beth Hilburn bought a 1963 American Rambler for the project. Seven days and countless volunteers later, the car was done and ready for inspection. It is on display at the diner and visitors are welcome to add their own stickers to the car.

– Staff report, The Oklahoma 100

Watch the new crime drama “Tulsa King,” and you may see some familiar locations. Although some scenes were filmed in New York City, the series was primarily shot in Oklahoma. Tulsa scenes were filmed at Tulsa International Airport, The Center of the Universe, the Mayo Hotel and Triangle Coffee Roasters.

Filming locations in Oklahoma City include Prairie Surf Media where the production offices were, Dust Bowl Lanes and Lounge, Cattlemen’s Steakhouse and National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum.

The series stars Sylvester Stallone in his first TV series as a mafia capo who moves to Tulsa to start a new criminal empire.

– Staff report, The Oklahoma 100

It’s been a rough couple of years in the tourism business, but the tourists have come back to Tulsa in a big way. Tulsa Regional Tourism reported its highest numbers ever at its annual meeting for its fiscal year 2022, which ended in June.

TRT reported a record $359 million total economic impact, well above its pre-pandemic amount of $308.2 million in fiscal year 2019. Area hotel room sales were also up substantially from 217,104 in fiscal year 2019 to 231,154.

In 2022, the team at TRT also re-launched the Official Tulsa Visitor Guide, which is published quarterly and available online.

– Staff report, The Oklahoma 100

Tulsa ranks No. 33 in the U.S. among cities with interest and potential demand in purchasing electric vehicles. The new study, released by QuoteWizard, gives Tulsa a 35 index score as well as a 35% increase in interest since last year.

QuoteWizard uses search data and attributes interest to increasing gas prices as well as the decreasing prices of electric vehicles.

Among states, Oklahoma ranked No. 29 nationally with nine charging stations for every 10,000 vehicles. The state had an electric vehicle adoption rate of 0.58%. The study also ranked Oklahoma No. 28 for a 45% interest in EVs.

– Staff report, The Oklahoma 100

For the 14th straight year, Tulsa’s Oral Roberts University welcomed record-setting enrollment for its freshman class with 5,051 students for this fall’s semester.

“It is wonderful to witness the worth these families place on a Spirit-empowered whole-person education,” said ORU president Dr. William M. Wilson. “They want a university that prioritizes values, and the ORU distinctive is attractive. ORU is committed to our bold vision, and this generation wants more than a degree; they want to change the world.”

With a focus on global education, ORU’s student body also increased its diversity – 15% African American, 14% Hispanic, and 20% international.

– Staff report, The Oklahoma 100

Named as a Top Five Oktoberfest in the United States, Tulsa Oktoberfest is celebrating its 43rd year from Oct. 20-23, 2022. In addition to live music and family fun, be sure to enjoy everything Tulsa Oktoberfest has to offer:

• Bier Barrel Racing – Who doesn’t love seeing grown adults push an empty barrel around a course as fast as they can?

• Authentic German Beer and Food – Check out the more than 300 taps of beer and German dishes that will be available for purchase.

• Dachshund Dash – Watch small, long-bodied, short-legged wiener dogs wearing adorable costumes race (or zig-zag) to the finish line.

– Carolyn Taylor, Jones PR

The city of Tulsa is getting a fresh outlook and new incentive for workers to relocate to Oklahoma through Tulsa Remote, a unique recruitment initiative aimed at attracting talented individuals to work remotely from the city.

Primarily created to endorse city growth and development, the program offers several benefits including expense coverage, community workspaces and events for program members to socialize.

Many who have signed on to participate in the program are remote workers, and are therefore drawn to the low cost of living and community-building opportunities granted through this new and supportive resource.

Visit TulsaRemote.com to learn more.

– Cassidy Littlewood, Jones PR

Grab your sunscreen and shades, it’s officially summer! Here is a list of activities you can do with family and friends this season in Tulsa:

• Have a picnic! Enjoy the outdoor weather by packing your favorite foods and heading to your local park. Here’s a way to keep snacks organized while on the go.

• On the first Saturday of each month, local vendors line up the streets of Meadow Gold District. Explore shops, restaurants, bars, events and more!

• Beat the heat with ice cream and treats at these must-try dessert destinations in Tulsa.

• Visit the dinosaurs at the Tulsa Zoo.

– Carolyn Taylor, Jones PR

Get up close and personal with 25 life-sized animatronic dinosaurs and explore Zoorassic World at the Tulsa Zoo. The temporary exhibit opens Monday, May 9, through Monday, Sept. 5, and features walking tours as well as a place to dig for casts of dinosaur fossils.

You’ll be able to learn about each dinosaur as you walk through the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous Periods while seeing the realistic prehistoric reptiles in action.

Tickets to experience these spectacular animals are the cost of zoo admission plus $6 (or $5 for members). Visit the Tulsa Zoo website for more information about this event.

– Jeanine Bertou, Jones PR

Every year, Downtown Tulsa transforms into a winter wonderland during Arvest Winterfest. Enjoy skating through a 9,000-square-foot outdoor ice rink, admire what is known as the state’s tallest Christmas tree (which stands 44 feet tall and is decorated with 35,700 lights), listen to live entertainment, take a ride in a horse-drawn carriage or take the Winterfest Express train.

It all begins Friday, Nov. 19, with the Share the Light opening ceremony. Local performers, an amazing fireworks display and the Winterfest tree’s official lighting will help ring in the holiday season.

Check out the full activity schedule here.

–  Jeanine Bertou, Jones PR

The Tulsa tunnel tours shut down due to the ongoing pandemic, but they are back and better than ever.

Experience going back to the 1920s and discover the exciting story behind the underground tunnels that were used to move money, smuggle booze and protect the wealthy.

This exciting and spooky tunnel tour is perfect for people of all ages. If you live in Tulsa and were not aware of the underground tunnels, this is the perfect opportunity to learn more about the history of this beautiful city.

The tours started Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021. Grab your tickets while you can!

– Jeanine Bertou, Jones PR