Issue 9 2019

2018 Issue 9

D e ve l o p , I n n ov a t e , P r o s p e r

The Community Development Focus Issue

Weatherization Training Center Helping Oklahomans p. 3

Community Action Agencies Make a Difference p. 5

$13.7 Million Awarded for Infrastructure Improvements p. 7 OKcommerce.gov1

Rx for Oklahoma helps Oklahomans access prescription assistance programs.

Free and discounted medication assistance has proven to be a much needed service for Oklahomans since the inception of Rx for Oklahoma in 2005. Rx for Oklahoma provides better healthcare, improved medication compliance and fewer medical complications for those who qualify.

Oklahoma residents, regardless of age, who are uninsured or underinsured are encouraged to apply. Medicare Part D and Medicaid beneficiaries with unique circumstances may qualify.

Rx for Oklahoma staff will take your information including name, age, address and income as well as prescription(s) needed and dosage(s).

This information is then entered into a special database that generates the appropriate paperwork for the pharmaceutical companies for which you are eligible.

Rx for Oklahoma staff will assist you with the completion of the applications and required documentation for submission. The entire process takes approximately one month to complete, so only long-term medications will qualify.

Call Rx for Oklahoma at 1-877-RX4-OKLA (1-877-794-6552) or go to one of the regional processing centers designated for your residential county found at RX4OKLA.com.

TX

“Rx for Oklahoma has been a big help to our family by helping us obtain the medications we need. They assisted us through the whole process and were wonderful to work with. We received the medications very quickly and are so relieved that we can now take them on a regular basis. Rx for Oklahoma has saved us hundreds of dollars a month and that’s a big help when you’re on a fixed income.”

– Rx for Oklahoma Client When applying, please have the following information available: • Age • Residential address • Gross annual household income • Complete list of medications you are taking • Physician information • Insurance coverage (if applicable)

There is no charge for RX Oklahoma services.

Staff are available to provide assistance with the application process.

YOU MAY QUALIFY FOR

FREE OR LOW-COST MEDICATIONS

Weatherization Training Center Helping Oklahomans Energy auditors assess what needs to be done to make a home more energy efficient. The retrofit crew comes in and makes the necessary repairs and then the QCI examines and runs all the diagnostics to make sure everything was done correctly.”

Victoria Stewart, Training Manager, Weatherization Center, OKACAA

The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) helps lower-income Oklahoma households reduce utility bills and increase energy efficiency in homes. The program is administered by the Oklahoma Department of Commerce with funding from the Department of Energy (DOE). The program gives priority to the elderly, disabled and families with children.

Implemented through Oklahoma Community Action Agencies, the program provides energy audits and weatherization solutions to more than 200 homes per year.

WAP works to make a home more weather-tight and energy-efficient by providing attic and wall insulation, minor roof repairs, replacing exterior windows and doors, window caulking, minor wall and floor repair, and weather stripping. The objective of the program is to have an impact on the lives of Oklahomans in need by reducing energy consumption, lowering utility bills and making the house a more comfortable place to reside.

Oklahoma’s Weatherization Training Center (OWTC) is located at the Oklahoma Association of Community Action Agencies. OWTC specializes

in training WAP employees by providing certifications and on-going instruction.

“We operate the training center for WAP employees from various Community Action Agencies, and at times provide training to other states as well,” said Michael Jones, Executive Director of OKACAA and operator of OWTC. “Trainings are also taught for OKGrants, national certifications and the only certified lead based paint training in Oklahoma, which extends to general contractors and roofing contractors as well.”

At the OWTC, WAP employees are trained as energy auditors, retrofit installers, crew leaders and quality control inspectors.

“Energy auditors assess what needs to be done to make a home more energy efficient. The retrofit crew comes in and makes the necessary repairs and then the QCI examines and runs all the diagnostics to make sure everything was done correctly,” explained Victoria Stewart, training manager.

Amanda Marcott-Thottunkal, Weatherization Programs Planner for Community Development and Commerce reviewing some of the WTC on-hand training methods

said. “For instance more ceiling insulation training was needed when inspections found that those weren’t being done as well. Then we implement a training program to better serve Commerce, OKACAA employees and better serve the needs of Oklahomans.”

For more information on the Oklahoma Weatherization Training Center, visit okacaa.org/training For more, information visit okcommerce.gov/weatherization or call 405-815-5374.

“The trainings are coordinated with Commerce which reports on what trainings need to be offered,” Jones

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Community Action Agencies Make a Difference Interview with Executive Director of Little Dixie Community Action Agency We are passionate about the work of community action and we believe in the shared mission of ‘Helping People. Changing Lives’.” Our work does make a difference – not just in Little Dixie, but through the more than 1,000 CAAs across the U.S. We all make a difference in the lives of the people we interact with on a daily basis.” ~ Becky Reynolds, Executive Director, Little Dixie Community Action Agency Little Dixie Community Action Agency (LDCAA) is one of 19 community action agencies serving all 77 Oklahoma counties in Oklahoma. LDCAA has been assisting low income people since 1968. Anti-poverty programs implemented by Little Dixie have substantially decreased poverty in southeast Oklahoma. LCDAA serves three primary counties Choctaw, McCurtain and Pushmataha and provides assistance from programs to eight additional counties.

Commerce spoke with Becky Reynolds, Executive Director of LCDAA, to get a closer look at the functions and effectiveness of the action agency.

Tell us about LDCAA. We are passionate about the work of community action and we believe in the shared mission of “Helping People.

Changing Lives.” Our work does make a difference – not just in Little Dixie, but through the more than 1,000 CAAs across the U.S. We all make a difference in the lives of the people we interact with on a daily basis.

Which programs are the most utilized in your area? Do these programs have the funding and volunteer base needed to serve all those in need?

Head Start, housing and transit are the most popular. The transit program has suffered significant cuts over the last two or three years resulting in the loss of several routes once operated.

Tell us about National NeighborWorks Week, an event LDCAA recently participated in.

LDCAA participates in National NeighborWorks week every year. This year, we chose to revitalize and renovate the Broken Bow Early Learning Center in Broken Bow, Okla.

Twenty-seven volunteers representing various agency programs traveled to Broken Bow and spent the day laying mulch, planting flowers and shrubbery, pulling weeds, raking leaves, cleaning playground equipment, laying gravel, hanging cabinets and organizing classrooms.

Additionally, LDCAA was fortunate to have the expertise of various community partners including Heady Trucking and Kiamichi Landscaping and Irrigation. Despite the Oklahoma heat, the volunteers banded together in order to improve conditions at the Broken Bow ELC for the staff, children and families that are positively impacted by the center.

Tell us about of the housing programs LDCAA offers?

We offer a variety of housing programs, including Self-Help Housing, Single Family New Construction, Weatherization, Purchase/Rehab/Resale, Speculative Housing, Housing Counseling, Homebuyer Education, Credit Counseling, Residential & Commercial Lending, Loan Packaging and others.

The Mutual Self Help Housing program has been in operation since 1974 and LDCAA has built nearly 2,000 homes through this program. Through this program, families are able to achieve the dream of homeownership through volunteering their time and skills toward actual construction phases of the home, referred to as sweat equity. This contribution, along with low fixed interest rates, make homeownership a possibility for families with low incomes.

What prenatal services do you offer?

Healthy Start provides moms-to-be with education and resources, serving pregnant women as well as children under age two years. Families are assisted with medical

care, resources and education needed to promote the wellness of the mother and baby before, during and after pregnancy. Care coordinators work individually with families and experts are brought in and utilized to provide classes over topics to include SIDS, nutrition and more.

What programs in your community are people least aware of that they might find helpful?

Rx for Oklahoma and the loan programs are probably two that immediately come to mind.

What do people look to CAA for that are actually run by other entities?

People often contact CAAs for SNAP (supplemental nutrition assistance program); health care (as in funding to pay for doctor visits); Section 8 rental vouchers and “out of area” transportation.

What advice would you have to CAA’s in other areas to make the most of their programs?

Marketing is key to reaching people who represent the populations most likely to need your services. Most individuals and families have smart phones so it’s important for CAAs to utilize social media and to update your posts often; reach out to people in a timely manner; try to place employees in satellite offices via partnerships with schools, libraries, etc. so as to be able to make access to your programs and services easy for your customers. Not everyone is on board with social media so it’s important to utilize radio and newspapers. Make sure your staff are courteous and helpful and represent individuals with a passion for helping others because those individuals represent the typical CAA customer.

What are some of the services LDCAA implements?

• Prenatal, Children & Youth - Prenatal, Children and Youth: Little Dixie Community Action Agency offers a wide-array of services for expectant mothers, infants, toddlers, children, youth and parents or primary caregivers. From education, nutrition, substance use prevention and mentoring to improving child safety and well-being, the provision of services for our most vulnerable populations has historically and continues to be a priority of the agency.

• Housing - We offer a wide variety of housing choices.

Whether you are looking to build a new home, purchase an existing home or if you prefer to rent, we are here to help you with your housing needs.

• Financial & Lending - We offer financial resources for families to support both residential and commercial needs. We offer low-interest affordable loans with terms ranging from five to 30 years.

• Intermediary Program - Our Certified Loan Packagers provide training and technical assistance as well as direct loan-packaging services for eligible entities working with the USDA/Rural Development Section 502 housing loan program.

• Technical & Management Assistance - Since 1980, Little Dixie has held a Technical & Management Assistance (T&MA) contract with USDA Rural Development for the region II. • Volunteer - Little Dixie has multiple opportunities for individuals to become involved as volunteers and give back to their community.

For more information of a full list of services and programs implemented by DCAA visit littledixie.org. To find your local Community Action Agency, visit okacaa.org/agencies.

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VSA to Bring Aircraft Manufacturing, Jobs to Oklahoma More than 350 new high-paying jobs for the state in the next five years

By bringing aircraft manufacturing to Oklahoma, the company will help us grow as a leader in aerospace and UAS (unmanned aircraft systems). Our talented workforce and low cost of doing business along with a good quality of life makes Oklahoma very attractive for growing companies like Valkyrie.”

Governor Mary Fallin State of Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin and Valkyrie Systems Aerospace (VSA) recently announced a partnership between the state of Oklahoma and the company. The partnership will ultimately accommodate manufacturing facilities, as well as flight operations and training in the greater Oklahoma City area.

VSA was recently awarded a 21st Century Quality Jobs Program incentive contract that will create at least 352 new high-paying jobs for the state of Oklahoma within the next five years.

“Oklahoma is one of the world’s premier destinations for the aerospace and defense industry. The new Valkyrie facility will continue to elevate this industry in our state,” said Fallin. “By bringing aircraft manufacturing to Oklahoma, the company will help us grow as a leader in aerospace and UAS (unmanned aircraft systems). Our talented workforce and low cost of doing business along with a good quality of life makes Oklahoma very attractive for growing companies like Valkyrie. This is another example that our economic pro-business policies are diversifying Oklahoma’s economy.”

“We appreciate the efforts of Governor Mary Fallin and her team,” Glenn Dawson, Valkyrie Systems Aerospace chief executive officer, said. “They have worked hard to create an environment to attract some of the most exciting companies in the aerospace industry today. Oklahoma already has some of the top aviation companies in the world, and they are starting to grow the unmanned arena as well. The state of Oklahoma is well on its way to become the leader in unmanned aerospace development

and manufacturing. We are proud to announce our choice of Oklahoma City for VSA’s operations center set to open during 2018’s fourth quarter.”

“One of the reasons VSA chose to partner with the state of Oklahoma was the ability to integrate our company with the University of Oklahoma’s aviation and aerospace engineering program, as well as Oklahoma State University’s autonomous UAV (unmanned aerial vehicles) program,” said Steve Tafoya, managing partner of VSA. “The Oklahoma Department of Commerce has worked with Valkyrie for nine months to bring this project to fruition,” Oklahoma Secretary of Commerce and Tourism Deby Snodgrass said. “By locating in Oklahoma City, they will be in close proximity to other world-class companies and defense operations and near our research universities, which will provide a pipeline of talent through numerous aerospace and UAS degree programs.”

VSA’s HoverJets are unmanned and optionally piloted aircraft which support multiple global missions that include medical evacuation, extraction of personnel and equipment, real-time situational awareness and threat detection, re-establishment of downed communications systems, firefighting, and much more.

The HoverJets’ unique heavy-lift vertical takeoff and landing allow them to operate in any environment, whether it be land, sea or air.

Alorica Announces 300 New Jobs At Tulsa Contact Center Alorica Tulsa services a variety of brands in the financial services, insurance, healthcare, travel & hospitality industries, including one of the largest pharmacy chains in the U.S. and one of the largest credit card companies in the world.

Alorica Inc., the largest customer service provider in the U.S., announced that its Tulsa site will be adding 300 new full-time jobs through the end of the year. The 300 new positions add to the nearly 1,000 people currently employed at the site.

“We are excited that Alorica is continuing to grow in Oklahoma. Our state offers the whole package – from the education and talented workforce to good office site,”said Governor Mary Fallin. Combining that with a low cost of doing business and a good quality of life makes Oklahoma very attractive for growing companies like Alorica.

“Alorica is thrilled to be continuing to grow and bring jobs to the community we’ve called home for almost 20 years,” said Joe Dickerson, Sr. Site Director at Alorica. “We look forward to welcoming more insanely great people into our organization to help shape positive experiences for the clients and customers we serve.”

To apply for a position at Alorica Tulsa, please visit AloricaJobs.com, call (918) 877-6343, or use our walk-in hours from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday to Friday.

Enid One of Three New Certified BNSF Sites Three new industrial locations have been awarded BNSF Railway Company’s (BNSF) Certified Sites designation. These new Certified Sites are located in Enid, Oklahoma; Libby, Montana; and Northgate, Saskatchewan. In order to be considered for the designation, sites must undergo a thorough analysis which includes an evaluation of environmental and geotechnical standards, available utilities, site availability and existing and projected infrastructure.

a BNSF line leading south from the facility to the Northern Corridor.

Kootenai Business Park, Libby, Mont. – A new 5,000foot lead track from the Kootenai Business Park connects directly to BNSF’s Northern Corridor.

Certified Sites are a part of BNSF’s Premier Parks, Sites and Transload program. The program is a strategic approach that addresses the increasing demand for customer site locations by developing various types of facilities across BNSF’s network. Businesses looking to locate at any of these properties could save six to nine months of construction time as a result of this analysis. BNSF Certified Sites have been reviewed by an industry expert in order to ensure accurate, reliable data. The goal of the program is to provide an inventory of rail-served sites that are available for immediate development.

Ceres Northgate Terminal, Northgate, Saskatchewan – Situated along Saskatchewan Highway 9 and with

Details for all 16 BNSF Certified Sites are available at bnsf.com/rail-development.

The newly-designated Certified Sites feature hundreds of acres ready for industrial development.

Easterly Industrial Park, Enid, Okla. – Located on BNSF’s Southern Transcon route and served by three major U.S. highways, the Easterly Industrial Park features more than 300 acres and is zoned for heavy industrial use.

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Become a Certified CDBG Administrator and Help Your Community The certified CDBG administrator has the focus of following the grant rules and regulations as well as getting the project completed. A CDBG administrator is good at managing the project engineer, the community, the public and the grant regulations. This is also true of the CDBG application process to order to receive CDBG funds.”

Millie Vance, Certified CDBG administrator To administer Community Development Block Grants (CDBG), community leaders need to go through a certification process. These administrators work closely with CDBG recipients as well as the Oklahoma Department of Commerce (Commerce) to make sure everything is in compliance and in accordance with the rules and regulations established for the grant. Unless a city, county or town has a certified CDBG administrator on staff, grant recipients need to hire a certified administrator to administer their CDBG funded projects.

Since CDBG funds are federal funding, they require a great deal of expertise in order to keep communities in compliance with all of the regulations of the program.

“A community leader may have their focus on a water line that leaks or the sewer system that is backed up. They are trying to juggle the handling of public complaints, DEQ compliance, local finances, etc. and their mind might not be on all of the grant rules and regulations or they might not know the rules,” says Millie Vance, certified CDBG administrator. “The certified CDBG administrator has the focus of following the grant rules and regulations as well as getting the project completed. A CDBG administrator is good at managing the project engineer, the community, the public and the grant regulations. This is also true of the CDBG application process to order to receive CDBG funds. Certified CDBG administrators receive continuing education yearly in order to stay on top of the regulation changes or new regulations. Administrators are often a very good resource tool to help communities network with funding agencies and other professionals.”

Interested in becoming a Certified Administrator?

Commerce’s Community Development Division offers an annual three-day certification training in December. The training will be administered by Community Development staff who work with CDBG on an everyday basis. The Commerce staff has a cumulative total of over 150 years of experience working with CDBG. There is no cost for the training.

Retaining CDBG Administrator Certification: In order to retain certification, administrators are required to attend one of two CDBG continuing education training offered twice a year. These trainings are held in April and October.

If administrators fail to attend the required continuing education training, they will lose their certification status and will need to complete the certification training process from the beginning to reobtain certification.

Oklahoma currently has more than 100 certified CDBG administrators. Those administrators are comprised of sub-state planning districts, city/town administrators and individual consultants. For a list of certified administrators visit: bit.ly/2MO9TSD For more information about becoming a certified CDBG administrator, contact Kathy Gain at 1-800-879-6552 or email kathy.gain@okcommerce.gov.

$13.7 Million Awarded for Infrastructure Improvements

View a detailed interactive map of 2017 awards along with data for 2013-17 at okcommerce.gov/cdbgmap In 2017, the State’s CDBG program funded 95 projects totaling more than $13.7 million. This benefited an estimated 136,577 Oklahomans and helped create 121 new jobs.

Look through the Commerce’s new interactive map to see what CDBG grants have been awarded from 2013-2017.

The economic health of Oklahoma’s rural communities is a priority for the Oklahoma Department of Commerce. Our Community Development team administers Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to support economic development in Oklahoma communities. These grants address issues such as outdated water and wastewater systems, drainage, and streets. Funds are also used for fire and emergency response as well as municipal services for youth and the elderly. These programs work together to strengthen communities, improve quality of life, and spur opportunity through job growth.

The CDBG program focuses on rural Oklahoma and funding is only available in communities with populations under 50,000. Projects that can be undertaken with CDBG funds include water, sewer, streets, drainage, community centers, fire protection and other publicly owned infrastructure. Consistently, the CDBG program is focused on our rural areas with well over 60% of funds being allocated to communities with populations of less than 1,500.

CDBG BY THE NUMBERS: $13.7 million awarded for infrastructure improvements 121 new jobs 136,577 Oklahoma beneficiaries 95 new projects in rural Oklahoma Source: Program Performance Numbers for 2017 CDBG

For more information on programs, visit okcommerce.gov/cdbg

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Upcoming Events and Important Dates OKLAHOMA MUNICIPAL LEAGUE - ANNUAL CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION The Oklahoma Municipal League (OML) conference will bring together a statewide audience of over 400 mayors, council members, trustees, city managers, clerks, electrical superintendents, public works directors and other municipal officials representing approximately 120 Oklahoma municipalities. The delegates will meet to learn, to listen, to question and to discuss the issues of our cities and towns.

September 11-13, 2018 Cox Convention Center, 1 Myriad Gardens Oklahoma City, OK 73102

NEW PIONEER A PRODUCT OF THE OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE EDITOR: Kimberly Hickerson, Project Manager CONTRIBUTORS: Stefanie Appleton, Bryan Boone, Kathy Gain, Rhonda Harding-Hill, Amanda Marcott-Thottunkal, Marshall Vogts, Mike Sexton PHOTO CREDITS: Oklahoma Dept. of Commerce

The Community Development team and Oklahoma Main Street Program from the Commerce will be in the exhibit hall ready to meet and answer questions as well as hosting sessions, more information below.

Commerce Workshops at OML: What Do You Know? - Community Development Block Grants OML Session, Thursday, Sept. 13th at 2:10 PM The session is being presented by Commerce Community Development team members who work with CDBG on a daily basis.

The presentation will include an explain of what a Community Development Block Grant is, what types of projects can be funded with CDBG, as well as the importance of having a staff person certified as a CDBG Administrator.

FOR NEW PIONEER SUBMISSIONS AND STORY IDEAS CONTACT: 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

Becoming an Oklahoma Main Street OML Sessions, Thursday, Sept. 13th Session 1: 1:10 - 2:00 PM Session 2: 2:10 - 3:00 PM Attendees will learn about the application and selection process for the Oklahoma Main Street Program, as well as the Main Street Approach to economic revitalization.

If you are coming to this workshop and not planning to attend the rest of the OML conference, please call the Oklahoma Main Street Office at (405) 815-6552 by September 6, 2018 to register. If you are already registered and attending the OML conference, you do not need to register with Main Street.

For more information visit: omlconference.org or contact OML at (405) 528-7515 or (800) 324-6651.

facebook.com/OKcommerce @OKcommerce OKcommerce.gov issuu.com/newpioneerOK