OCAST fuels $3 billion for economy

December 20, 2007

Investment in Oklahoma research and development by the state's technology-based economic development agency fueled a $3 billion boon to the state's economy in fiscal 2006, officials said Friday.

And they have a study conducted by the Oklahoma Commerce Department to prove it, said Michael Carolina, executive director of the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology.

The study, conducted by Jon Chiappe, senior research analyst at the department, concluded that technology-based companies and research institutions supported by OCAST are responsible for $1.7 billion in direct contributions to the economy while generating another $1.4 in indirect economic activity.

By Jim Stafford Business Writer

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