Originally published in The Tribune July 23, 2009
by Jill McCartney, President/CEO The Northwest Chamber
It’s here. The national recession has raised its ugly head in Oklahoma. Many businesses are making do with less staff, holding off on investments in new equipment and building, and cutting corners any way they can to survive. Despite lessons learned from the past, many small businesses are now hurting.
In the face of this situation, some of the stimulus money is now making its way into our area, targeted to specific programs and projects that our national leaders hope will turn things around and ultimately also make a long term difference. One requirement of the projects is that they can start being spent between now and September 2010.
Financing transportation infrastructure has been among the first things funded by the stimulus. In Oklahoma, our state Transportation Secretary, Gary Ridley, quickly pulled together a list of shovel-ready projects that were already part of Oklahoma’s 8-year transportation plan and did not need the time involved for right-of-way clearances and other concerns that can bog down construction. Oklahoma was one of the first states to advance our plan and to use all the available funds. If other states are not able to spend all of the money they’ve been allocated in that time frame, Oklahoma leaders hope to position us to pick up those unused funds and efficiently utilize it.
Our Northwest area did not have any road projects detailed in the eight year plan, but hopes are that with many projects already being addressed, additional projects can move onto the eight year comprehensive DOT plan. Some of the money has been allocated for municipal repairs. Warr Acres recently earned stimulus funding of $285,000 for street improvements along NW 63rd between MacArthur and Ann Arbor.
My neighbor was recently hired by the Department of Rehabilitation Services to find jobs for disabled workers. Companies that hire these workers could be paid up to $3,500 for hiring and training a disabled worker in a permanent position. Because disabled workers have an unemployment rate 59 percent higher than nondisabled Americans, they hope this incentive will mean that 500 – 900 disabled workers will find long-term jobs because of this program.
The Community Action Agencies have also received some stimulus funds, and the CAA in Oklahoma and Canadian counties will dedicate it toward three programs CAA already operates, but will expand the number of clients they can serve.
One program works to weatherize homes for low income and elderly residents. Making these houses more energy efficient by installing insulation, caulking, weather stripping, doors and windows and minor roof and floor repair will help many folks live better no matter the season.
Another program provides funding for graffiti removal, a commitment that can reduce gang activity and frustrate vandals who will tire of seeing their ‘work’ quickly eliminated. Some students at OSU-OKC on N. Portland recently created an organization, “Establishing a Great Society” aimed at removing graffiti from metro area structures.
Finally, CAA is now offering Small Business Stimulus Loans to encourage economic growth within Oklahoma and Canadian Counties through the retention, expansion, or start-up of small businesses. Credit-worthy applicants who meet Federal Income Guidelines can apply for these 3% fixed rate loans in the amount of $5,000 – $100,000 on a 1 – 15 year term. As these funds are now dedicated for this purpose, as the loans are repaid CAA will be able to keep the circle going by loaning these funds again.
For more information on the Department of Rehabilitation Services Vocational Rehabilitation program, call 800-487-4042. For more information on the Community Action Agency programs, call 405-232-9074.