OKLAHOMA CITY - Jumping through a maze of hoops to start up a business can be frustrating and that’s even after intensive research on just which hoops to jump through and in what order are identified.
On Thursday, Gov. Kevin Stitt took action to make it easier for entrepreneurs to start, identify the legal requirements and grow businesses in the state. Executive Order 2026-04 was filed with the Secretary of State on Jan. 29.
“Oklahoma was built by bold dreamers and doers who took risks, created opportunities, and forged their own path forward,” Stitt said. “It’s more important than ever that we make it possible to keep that legacy alive. As a business-friendly state, we know that our entrepreneurs are the key to Oklahoma’s lasting prosperity. That’s why I’m taking steps to set them up for even greater success. When entrepreneurs thrive, we all win.”
In part, some of the key actions designated in the executive order include:
•Designating a Chief Entrepreneurial Officer (CEO) within the executive branch.
•Launching a one-stop shop online portal for easy access to permits, licenses, and compliance guidance.
•Proposing that new business filing fees be reduced to just $1.
•Embedding entrepreneurial education in schools.
•Exploring tax waivers for startups’ first two years and fairer access to state contracts for young businesses.
•Tracking entrepreneurship metrics to guide smarter policies.
•Reports on fees, taxes, education, and contracts will go to legislative leaders within 120 days.
Stitt said in his proclamation that entrepreneurs often face burdensome and unnecessary challenges navigating complex regulation, tax burdens and bureaucratic processes that limit growth and opportunities.
“My administration is dedicated to removing such barriers to emphasize the importance of entrepreneurship, creating new businesses, and furthering prosperity and economic opportunity in Oklahoma,” he wrote. “Entrepreneurship drives innovation, produces meaningful careers, increases earning power and builds lasting wealth for all Oklahomans.”
Entrepreneurship, Stitt said, reinforces the foundation of a free market economy. Supporting the formation and growth of new businesses and industry will help retain Oklahoma’s talent, incentivize investment, and ensure Oklahoma remains a top 10 state for doing business.
The CEO, appointed by the governor, will serve without compensation and report directly to the governor. Promoting entrepreneurship as a central driver of Oklahoma’s economic growth will be the mission.
Stitt believes this can be accomplished by encouraging new business formation, growth and success across the state. This includes coordinating and streamlining policies and regulations that negatively affect entrepreneurs and identifying and removing barriers that burden the creation and growth of businesses.
Other goals include connecting the state’s entrepreneurs to resources, mentors and networks and serving as a voice for the entrepreneurs within the state government.
One-stop shop for entrepreneurs
A centralized resource for new and growing businesses will be created through a coordinated effort of the Office of Management and Enterprise Services and the Oklahoma Department of Commerce.
The shop will provide guidance and information to help entrepreneurs navigate resources, programs and state regulations related to licensing, permitting, contracting and compliance. Information will be provided to locate certified “incubators” that provide business services, training, workspace assistance and tax benefits for business owners. Information will be available on a unified online portal accessible to the public.
Reducing the cost to start a business
Within 120 days of the executive order, the CEO, in coordination with the Secretary of State, will submit a proposal to the governor, speaker of the House of Representatives and the president pro tempore of the Senate recommending the reduction of all filing fees for new business formation to one dollar. This proposal will include a fiscal analysis and an implementation plan.
Education in schools
Entrepreneurship-focused learning will be encouraged by integrating entrepreneurial mindset, financial literacy, real- world problem-solving and project-based learning into existing curricula. This task will be a coordinated effort between the CEO and the Oklahoma State Department of Education. A report will be submitted for possible avenues to achieve this goal.
Oklahoma Tax Commission
The CEO, along with the Oklahoma Tax Commission, will explore options to waive or defer state tax filings and payments for businesses in their first two years of operation and submit a report within 120 days of the executive order. The goal is to reduce compliance costs and simplify tax procedures.
Expanding access to state contracts
Stitt’s order aims to ensure that new and young businesses, defined as businesses five years or fewer in operation, have fair opportunities to compete for contracts. OMES, in consultation with the CEO will review current procurement policies and submit a report within 120 days. The report will include recommendations for pilot contracting preferences or scoring systems for Oklahomabased startups.
Additional requirements
The Department of Commerce is tasked with building a marketing plan to promote established entrepreneurship and resources across the state. In addition, the department will collaborate with other agencies and academic partners to improve access to relevant data to guide policy decisions.
New business formation measures and entrepreneurship information will be integrated into the state’s regular economic reports.
Oklahoma Business Hub
While changes are being researched and implemented in the area of entrepreneurship, a good resource to access is the Oklahoma Business Hub, found at oklahoma.gov/business. A section answering frequently asked questions is available.
Debi DeSilver is an award-winning, third-generation Oklahoma journalist whose writing career now spans 50 years. She can be reached at silvercitypublishing@ mailto:ing@gmail.com gmail.com.