Google in OK

The recent developments at the Mid America Industrial Park are good news for Oklahoma. In 2006 Oklahoma's per capita personal income was $32,210 ranking 37th in the nation. The nearly 200 jobs at Google's data server will have an average salary at about $48,000; close to the state's average household income of $51,000. Compare to Pryor's current average personal income $16,887, these jobs are extraordinary. Plus Google jobs have other benefits like paternity leave for men and women, free meals on campus and more. These jobs are the quality jobs we always talk about attracting to our state. What is even more notable is that these jobs are being located not in the metro areas, but rather in rural Oklahoma, where job growth is most needed. This is great news for our state, especially rural Oklahoma. Brad Henry has done a pretty good job in economic development so far. Hopefully we can keep up this momentum and diversify our economy farther.