2015 Issue 6
Develop, Innovate, Prosper
Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity Impacts the State Organization offers affordable housing to central Oklahoma families in need In the 28 years since it began operations, Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity (COHFH) has built homes in Bethany, Bethel Acres, Blanchard, Bridge Creek, Carney, Choctaw, Del City, Edmond, El Reno, Guthrie, Midwest City, Moore, Mulhall, Mustang, Oklahoma City, Spencer, The Village and Yukon. With 800 houses built in central Oklahoma, COHFH has been successful in obtaining many sponsors, donors and volunteers to assist it in its mission of providing and preserving affordable housing for hard-working, limited-income families living in substandard conditions. COHFH serves a vital role in Oklahoma. Its activities ensure that low income families have the opportunity to obtain affordable, quality housing. The Oklahoma Department of Commerce recently released a study of the organization and the results were clear: the agency has a significant positive impact on communities in Oklahoma.
Tulsa Company Awarded 2015 National Exporter of the Year p. 2
COHFH activities extend well beyond the economic impact seen from the survey responses and into the homes and lives of many of its beneficiaries. The majority of the people surveyed say that without COHFH they could not have owned a home. “I just wanted you to know something about my life living in my house,” wrote one COHFH
Main Street Award Winners Share Their Success Stories p. 4
homeowner in comments section of the survey. “I finally paid off my house in 2014. The joy I feel every time I walk in my house… I can’t put into words. This is a great program. I would do it all over again in a heartbeat!” Many homeowners reported feeling better about themselves, their Continued on page 2
Rose State College FabLab Open to the Public p. 7
Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity Impacts Oklahoma Organization offers affordable housing to central Oklahoma families in need Continued from page 1 financial situation, health and/or safety after moving into a COHFH Home. COHFH houses provide families with affordable and quality housing options that enable parents to better provide for their children. This housing has a noticeable impact on children’s confidence, grades and behavior. Volunteer hours, sweat equity, and donations from numerous sponsors help COHFH offset construction costs and ultimately provide affordable homes for low income families. There is a common misconception that COHFH homeowners receive their homes for free, but that is not the case. In addition to regular mortgage payments, homeowners also donate volunteer hours, take homeowner workshops and commit to being an active member of their neighborhood. Based on the impact study results and many testimonials from families who have benefited from the program, COHFH is a valuable organization that enhances the
44,200
families earning a low to moderate income in central Oklahoma that qualify for affordable housing assistance from COHFH
region. Despite this success, the need for affordable housing remains great. There are more than 44,200 families earning a low to moderate income in central Oklahoma that qualify for affordable housing assistance from COHFH. (That equals 157,964 people, 53,326 children under age 18.) Additionally, there are many other measures of the need for affordable housing, including poverty, substandard housing without adequate plumbing, and crowded living conditions. The estimated combined impact TX of COHFH investment, operation, contractors and savings accruing to Habitat homeowners is approximately $20 million added to Oklahoma’s economy between 2015 and 2020. The COHFH employment impact is more than 160 jobs. The program continues to touch the lives of those involved in each home build project, from the new homeowners and the volunteers to the donors and the sponsors who make the program possible.
44,060
hours donated by 8,812 volunteers in 2014 to COHFH
The positive social impact of the program in the region is felt throughout the state of Oklahoma. COHFH’s ability to maximize resources is an asset to the donors, sponsors and volunteers that contribute their time and money. To download the full impact study, visit 1.usa.gov/1IcKHt6. To contact Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity, please call 405-232-4828 or visit cohfh.org.
800
Homes have been dedicated in central Oklahoma since 1987
Tulsa Company, Sawyer Manufacturing Awarded 2015 National Exporter of the Year Sawyer Manufacturing Company has been named the 2015 National Exporter of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Association, which has recognized the outstanding achievements of America’s small businesses for contributions in local communities and the nation’s economy for more than 50 years. Sawyer is the first Oklahoma company in the past five years to be represented at these awards and is the first Exporter of the Year winner from the state. Sawyer representatives attended a recognition awards ceremony at the White House during National Small Businesses Week. “Sawyer Manufacturing is an example of how great Oklahoma companies are creating jobs and prosperity here at home by selling their products in international markets,” said Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin. “Congratulations to their leadership and their employees for their terrific work.” To receive recognition as the National Exporter of the Year, Sawyer competed against state level award recipients from each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam. To be eligible for this award, companies must operate a small business and be engaged in exporting. The SBA characterizes
“small” manufacturing businesses as a company with 500 employees or less. Sawyer has a staff of approximately 35 employees. Criteria for the National Exporter of the Year award include increased sales, profits and/or growth of employment because of exporting, creative overseas marketing strategies, effective solutions to export-related problems, encouragement of other small businesses to export, volunteer assistance to other small businesses entering the export market, and cooperation with other businesses in the creation of
Sawyer Manufacturing Company has 66 years of manufacturing expertise and experience and, since its founding, has been exporting equipment nationwide and globally, including all 50 states and more than 50 countries. “Exporting is critical to Oklahoma’s economic growth,” Dottie Overal, Oklahoma SBA District Director, said. “We are proud to honor Sawyer Manufacturing, an Oklahoma company that demonstrates excellence in exporting and creating opportunity in our state.”
Sawyer Manufacturing is an example of how great Oklahoma companies are creating jobs and prosperity here at home by selling their products in international markets. ~ Governor Mary Fallin exporting trading companies and/ or introduction of unique trading relationships, products or services. “This year’s winners are dynamic trailblazers in their respective small business fields, contributing to their local economies and providing good jobs in their communities. It is an honor to celebrate their hard work and success,” said SBA Administrator Maria ContrerasSweet.
Based in Tulsa, Okla., Sawyer Mfg. Company is a competitive global provider of pipeline and welding equipment primarily focused on midstream transportation, storage and the general movement of pipeline materials from upstream production to downstream distribution. Sawyer equipment is designed, engineered and manufactured in Tulsa. To find out more visit sawyermfg.com.
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Main Street Award Winners Share Their Success Stories The Four-Point Approach helps to revitalize communities
Every year we are amazed at all the wonderful, creative projects and people that are nominated for these awards. Each entry highlights the outstanding volunteers, events and restoration projects taking place throughout Oklahoma. ~ Linda Barnett, Director The Oklahoma Main Street Center announced the winners in 21 competitive award categories during the 26th annual Main Street Awards Banquet, May 5, at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum. “Every year we are amazed at all the wonderful, creative projects and people that are nominated for these awards,” said Linda Barnett, director of the Oklahoma Main Street program. “Each entry highlights the outstanding volunteers, events and restoration projects taking place throughout Oklahoma. Main Street programs and communities continue to thrive because of the determination, hard work, and effort of many people.” The Main Street program encourages economic development in Oklahoma communities through historic preservation in ways appropriate to today’s marketplace. By refocusing efforts to bring vibrancy back to a commercial district, communities can find the self-reliance and empowerment needed to rebuild a commercial district and increase the quality of life for residents. Each award falls under one of the “four points” in the Main Street Approach. The Main Street FourPoint Approach™ is tailored to meet the needs and opportunities of each community. It encompasses work in four distinct areas – Design, Economic Restructuring, Promotion, and Organization – that are combined to address all of the commercial district’s needs.
Organization. The first step is getting everyone to work toward the same goal. To have a successful Main Street revitalization program, communities need to bring together the human and financial resources to reach their goals. There was a great example of this is in the Hobart Jr. Main Street Program that won “Best Volunteer Development Program.” More than 80 students were active members of the program last year. They participated in activities with three primary objectives: 1. To help students gain an awareness of community development; 2. To become active participants in community projects in order to ensure generational support; 3. To have an active corps of volunteers to promote positive involvement of young people throughout the community. All were achieved. The program’s many projects include Big Bang Days, which beautifies and cleans the community. This year it included renovating the tennis courts at the park. The program culminates with $500 scholarships being presented to two outstanding Jr. Main Streeters. Promotion. Creating a positive image that will renew community pride while communicating the district’s unique characteristics, its cultural traditions, architecture, and history and activities to shoppers, investors, potential business owners, and visitors. This year “Best Retail Event,” Eat Eight, was organized by Kendal Whitter (KW) and was a great example of
“Best Retail Event,” Eat Eight, was organized by Kendal Whitter Main Street.
Hobart Jr. Main Street Program won “Best Volunteer Development Program.”
creative promotional efforts. Eat Eight was a restaurant promotion with a basketball theme held in March during the annual peak of interest in college basketball and the NCAA Tournament. Customers who dined in eight participating KW restaurants during the period specified would be entered in a drawing for an $800 cash prize.
The demolished space stayed vacant for a few years, but the bank had a vision. Ken Ferguson, chairman of the NBC Board of Directors, proposed to reconstruct the façade of the building to refer to the original theatre. Today the building is lit as it once was, but with LED lighting, and the interior is spacious and beautifully designed to accommodate various community activities. NBC turned a liability into an incredible asset, honoring the history and maintain the integrity of the downtown square.
As customers visited each restaurant, they could purchase any menu item as long as it was of equal or greater value to the restaurant’s featured menu item on the entry form. Each restaurant was given an ink stamp to mark a customer’s entry form as proof of purchase. All the restaurant owners were happy with the promotion and have agreed to participate in the next one. Design. The appearance of Main Street districts sets a vital first impression for each community. By adding in an inviting atmosphere through attractive window displays, parking areas, building improvements, signs, sidewalks, landscaping and more. Design played a key role in Altus Main Street this year who won “Best Public Improvement Project” for The Wigwam. The Wigwam is a new conference center and gallery space owned by the NBC Bank in Altus. The new building was constructed in the former site of the Wigwam Movie Theatre, which was lost to fire in the 1990s.
Economic Restructuring. Economic Restructuring highlights each community’s existing economic assets while diversifying its economic base, retaining and expanding successful businesses to provide a balanced commercial mix and helps attract new businesses. This year’s “Best Business Practices” award went to Bliss Boutique, a local retailer on Durant’s Main Street. Bliss engages in social media, posting new items every day on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. They style outfits on models, photograph the styles and post them on social media to help customers visualize the looks the store offers. Bliss Boutique also offers an ecommerce website and mobile app for online shoppers. For a full list of 2015 award winners visit: www.okcommerce.gov/media
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Meet Our Staff Kylah McNabb helps to advance Oklahoma’s clean energy future Kylah serves as a Program Manager and Renewable Energy Development Specialist in the State Energy Office (SEO), located in the Community Development Division at ODOC. SEO is dedicated to advancing energy efficiency, renewable energy and alternative fuel efforts across the state by providing technical assistance and grant funds to local communities for these efforts.
Kylah McNabb Program Manager, Community Development, ODOC 405-815-5249 kylah_mcnabb@okcommerce.gov
The two primary programs administered by Kylah through SEO include strategic energy planning for local communities and energy performance contracting for K-12 schools. She also serves as “matchmaker” to Oklahoma residents and businesses in their search for connections within the growing industry. Kylah was recognized as the Women of Wind Energy’s 2014 Rising Star and earned her Certified Energy Manager (CEM) certification in July of 2014. She has experience in private wind development, wind industry research and policy development, energy policy analysis and more.
“Kylah brings the added dimension of technical knowledge and experience to the State Energy Office, which has proven to be vital in our recruitment of wind manufacturing companies and wind farm development,” said Vaughn Clark, ODOC Director of Community Development.“Although her background has been primarily in wind energy development, she has expanded her knowledge into the growing areas of geothermal energy, alternative fuels, and energy assurance planning. Kylah is definitely regarded as an expert in renewable energy in the national arena.” Kylah is able to assist with any questions related to alternative energy programs, energy efficiency incentives, renewable energy and alternative fuel technologies.
FOR NEW PIONEER SUBMISSIONS AND STORY IDEAS CONTACT:
NEW PIONEER A PRODUCT OF THE OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE EDITOR: Kimberly Hickerson, Project Manager
Kimberly Hickerson Editor-in-Chief - New Pioneer Oklahoma Department of Commerce 900 N. Stiles Ave., Oklahoma City, OK 73104 (405) 815-5240 kimberly_hickerson@OKcommerce.gov
CONTRIBUTORS: Stefanie Appleton, Bryan Boone, Jon Chiappe, Rose State College
PHOTO CREDITS: Central Okla. Habitat for Humanity, Rose State College
facebook.com/OKcommerce @OKcommerce OKcommerce.gov issuu.com/newpioneerOK
Rose State College FabLab Open to the Public Students and commuinty take part in high tech self-discovery
Rose State College (RSC) recently announced public hours of operation for its new FabLab. A fabrications laboratory or “fab lab” is a small-scale workshop offering digital fabrication with an array of computer controlled tools. Products that were once thought to be only available for creation in mass production shops can be fabricated in these labs. RSC is the first higher education institution in Oklahoma to make its FabLab open to the public. Students, businesses and the community are invited to take part in “high tech self-discovery” activities as they design, prototype and create objects through computer-aided design and desktop manufacturing technologies as part of a global network managed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). “With 3D printers now sold at local retailers, we’re excited to welcome the community into the FabLab to imagine, design and foster creative thinking for hobbyists and tinkerers alike,” said Bret Wood, Ed.D., Dean of Community Outreach and Workforce Development. The lab also features a polycom video conferencing bridge, allowing for consultation with fab labs worldwide, such as those located at MIT in Cambridge, Mass., University of Nairobi in Kenya, Universidad de Sevilla in Spain and more. The collaborative nature of this network integrates users around the world with common tools and platforms to facilitate the exchange of ideas and designs.
3D printer building a teapot at Rose State College’s new FabLab.
The RSC FabLab offers memberships to the community at a rate of $150 for adults, $120 for seniors and $50 for current Rose State students, valid for 5 months. A 10-visit punch card is also available for $100. The FabLab also offers classes in 3D printing, laser engraving, vinyl cutting and casting and molding.
We’re excited to welcome the community into the FabLab to imagine, design and foster creative thinking for hobbyists and tinkerers alike. ~ Bret Wood, Ed.D The Rose State FabLab is open from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Fridays, and 1-5 p.m. Saturdays. The lab is closed Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. Tours are available Friday mornings from 10-11 a.m., and a safety class is held Saturdays from 1-2 p.m. For more information about the FabLab or to schedule a tour, visit rose.edu/fablab or call 405-733-7392. Corporate tours, classes and rentals are also available by calling 405-733-7573.
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900 N. Stiles Ave. Oklahoma City, OK 73104-324
Upcoming Events &Important Dates GETTING GOOD DATA FOR GRANTS WORKSHOP Tuesday, July 14, 2015 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Oklahoma Dept. of Libraries, Internet Lab, 2nd floor, Oklahoma City
Getting good data for grants and using it correctly is the focus of this training. Its focus is learning how to use the “Advanced Search” tool of the Census Bureau’s American Factfinder to get precise data by topics for the state of Oklahoma and geographies within our state, including towns, cities, counties, and Oklahoma’s 38 federally recognized tribal geographies. Register by emailing Steve Beleu at steve.beleu@libraries.ok.gov STATE OFFICES CLOSED IN OBSERVANCE OF THE FOLLOWING STATE HOLIDAY: Friday, July 3, 2015 Indepedence Day
(PRSRT STD) US POSTAGE PD OKLA. CITY, OK PERMIT NO.41
FRESH PAINT DAYS IN OKLAHOMA Applications Available June 1 - July 31, 2015
Is there a building in your community that is in need of a little bit of TLC? Transform it with a 2015 Fresh Paint Days grant! Fresh Paint Days is a Keep Oklahoma Beautiful project designed to encourage volunteers to seek out unsightly community structures and renovate them with the creative use of resources. Selected participants will restore the exterior of a structure during the month of September with the use of paint donated by H.I.S. Coatings of Oklahoma City, a stipend to purchase supplies funded by Public Service Company of Oklahoma, and a lot of elbow grease from willing volunteers. KOB will deliver your paint within a reasonable driving distance from your location. Applications will only be accepted online and the deadline is July 31, 2015. To find the application, project requirements and a tentative program calendar visit: bit.ly/1G1YYcB