State House approves rural economic development package

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- A package of bills designed to encourage economic development in rural Oklahoma is approved by a state House committee.<br/><br/>The measures are part of House Speaker Todd Hiett's

Thursday, February 9th 2006, 6:10 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- A package of bills designed to encourage economic development in rural Oklahoma is approved by a state House committee.

The measures are part of House Speaker Todd Hiett's Rural Economic Development Initiative. They were passed by the House Revenue and Taxation Committee and now head to the full House for consideration.

The measures include a bill that will make it easier for employers in rural areas to qualify for incentives under the Quality Jobs Act and offer new incentives to rehabilitate single-family rental properties in rural areas.

Other measures will make it easier for nursing homes to operate in rural areas by exempting them from having to pay property taxes.