Northeast Technology Center and Rogers County Industrial Development Authority recently honored the newest manufacturer in Rogers County at a ceremony located in the Chelsea Industrial Park. Precision Tube Headers Incorporated is owned and operated by Lonnie and Kellie Hogan who welcomed over 45 friends, family, state & local officials to the ribbon cutting ceremony. The company was formed in October of 2005 to manufacture components on air coolers used in oil production. According to Kellie, “Because we live in Rogers County, we wanted to operate our business in this county. We had heard there was a building available in the Chelsea Industrial Park that was suitable for our needs”. Meeting with Don Cochran, Project Manager at RCIDA, Lonnie and Kellie were given information about the program and how the incubator system was designed to help new businesses become successful.

Precision Tube Headers Incorporated began moving into the incubator site the first week of March and has begun manufacturing the air cooler components. Lonnie Hogan, owner with wife Kellie stated during the ribbon cutting, “AXH air-coolers in Claremore has been a big supporter for this new venture and I want to personally thank them for all their cooperation and the support they have given us”. Lonnie and Kellie also stated they were thrilled to be a part of the Incubator program offered by NTC and RCIDA and are very excited about their future in Chelsea.

A business incubator is a dynamic process of business enterprise designed to nurture a startup or expanding businessand to help that business survive and grow. Incubators have an 87% success rate of keeping a new or small business in existence after they graduate from the program. The incubator provides affordable space with flexible leases, professional business services such as business plans, financing, incentives, marketing, accounting, legal and engineering, and employee training often at reduced cost. Other benefits that are available are equipment loan program to qualified business owners who employ 25 or less, state income tax exemption. Incubators also contribute to the community by increasing employment opportunities, increased sales in the community, more local tax generated, and 84% of the businesses out of an incubator stay in the community.

Businesses eligible for consideration must be manufacturing, wholesale-distributing, and services are the types of businesses that will be eligible for the program. The incubator program has become successful in helping small businesses like Precision Tube Headers and keeping those businesses in the small communities around Rogers County.