Updated - December, 2009 - In July 1999, 19 manufacturers from a five-county area in central Oklahoma formed the Central Oklahoma Manufacturers' Association (COMA). The membership has grown to more than 340 statewide. The meetings are bimonthly (Jan/Mar/May/Jul/Sep/Nov). In each of the months except November, the Association's Board of Directors invites service providers to make presentations on topics of interest to manufacturers. In November or December of each year, the Association hosts a Legislative Forum. Members of the State Legislature attend and share their thoughts with and receive comments and recommendations from the manufacturing community. Association dues are $50/calendar year. The Association is sponsored by Oklahoma City Community College, Moore Norman Technology Center, the South OKC Chamber of Commerce and the Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance.
There are a number of important business reasons for manufacturers to join or renew their membership in the Association for 2010. They are:
- Impact - At our recent Legislative Forum the manufacturers raised several issues currently affecting the profitability of manufacturers, i.e. business incentives, "green" incentives, etc. With more than 340 members and employees totaling over 12,000, the Association has become an important voice with state legislators.
- Training - Most of the metropolitan area technology centers offer their own unique package of training credits for companies located in their district. These training classes are available to the employees of Association members. When appropriate, half-day seminars on manufacturing-related topics are offered to member companies.
- Health Insurance - Members with two or more full-time employees are eligible to participate in the Oklahoma Manufacturers Health Plan underwritten and administered by BlueCross & BlueShield of Oklahoma. The potential savings in premium costs to your company could be substantial.
- Long-Term Care Insurance - Members are eligible to participate in long-term care insurance underwritten by Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. Significant discounts off standard rates are possible.
- Workers' Compensation Insurance - Members are eligible to participate in a workers' compensation insurance program underwritten and administered by Midlands Management Corporation/PMA Companies. Midlands/PMA is a nationally-recognized company in the WC arena. A written safety plan is required. Substantial savings in premium are possible.
- Employment Law - The Wells Law Firm provides legal representation for both "non-litigation" and "litigation" matters, each at substantially reduced hourly rates to member companies.
- Marketing - The firm of CreativeState offers professional services in the areas of marketing strategy/consulting, graphic design, website development, custom software development and search engine optimization at reduced hourly rates to member companies.
- Sprint Wireless Telephone Services - Member companies and their employees are eligible for a 25% discount. A 23% discount is available to company employees and their family members seeking the same or similar service.
- PreHire Screening Services - The services available include national and federal criminal searches, workers' compensation search, employment/educational/reference verification, driving record search and Form I-9 verification at reduced individual rates.
- Chamber Membership - The South OKC Chamber of Commerce will reduce their membership dues to manufacturers by $50, the amount of Association dues.
- Networking - Networking, a vital part of any organization, is an integral part of each bimonthly meeting, a time to visit with other manufacturers to exchange information.
For more information or to make comments:
Bob Carter
Central Oklahoma Manufacturers' Association
7777 South May Avenue
Oklahoma City, OK 73159-9987
Telephone: (405) 682-7543
Fax: (405) 682-7802
Email: Bob Carter