Southeast Oklahoma’s Enterprise and Champion Communities, Round I and Round II respectively, have been fortunate by enjoying more successes in 2003. Entering into our final year, the community has taken stock of not only the accomplishments over the past nine years but began to focus on the unfinished actions within our Strategic Plan. It is the communities’ goal to address each and every need which was identified during the initial planning processes. To date, more than 90% of the actions within our Round I strategic plan and about 35% from our Round II plan have been completed. Several million dollars in funding has been received this past year to address the actions in both plans.

A few of the projects accomplished this past year include construction of a $2.5 Million new library facility in Choctaw County; housing rehabilitation, new home construction and various other housing-related activities; a new Community Center in Bennington, Oklahoma; completion of three train depot projects; completion of several lakeview cabins; creation/expansion of small businesses from EC loan programs resulting in the creation of twenty jobs; a new amphitheater in Idabel; continued support/expansion of after-school programs; start-up business in Antlers, Oklahoma creating thirty jobs with expectations of 30-40 additional hires in the near future; improved infrastructure sewer systems in Ft. Towson and Bennington, and much much more.

With the initial seed money and unprecedented support from the communities and various funding entities through grant priority, etc…. the Enterprise and Champion Community efforts took off. The bottoms-up and community collaboration approach has proven successful. A recent award received by our community offers proof to that.

When the W.K. Kellogg Foundation published an RFP (request for proposals) describing the foundation was seeking applicants whom had been involved in a successful collaborative process for several years, Little Dixie Community Action Agency, Inc. knew immediately the Southeast Oklahoma Enterprise and Champion Communities fit the description. A total of 764 applications from across the nation, urban and rural, were submitted. The somewhat rigorous process included the funding source making site visits, holding teleconferences, and follow-up interviews with community members. Seven communities, identified as experts in the area of getting things done through collaboration, received awards. The Southeast Oklahoma Enterprise and Champion Community’s Steering Committee were among the seven. This award will allow members of the steering committee to collaborate with other successful applicants in a “work-study” group. This “panel of experts” (approximately 35 members) working alongside representatives from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and the New York Academy of Medicine, hope to teach, learn and most importantly help other communities “model” the process. This is a three-year program and will aid in the committees’ continued efforts towards achieving all the goals identified in our strategic plans.

Our local economic condition continues to improve. The ever-increasing demand for moderate income housing is one indicator of that. Only a few years ago, this area consisted of only a handful of homes above the $50,000 range (nice home in rural Oklahoma) and now we are seeing $100,000+ homes being built throughout the four counties. The lead entity itself built five such homes in 2003, all of which were under option prior to completion. Private development is being seen as well. These types of activities are creating jobs, providing revenue for local businesses and providing an overall economic boost.

Initial success was achieved through the EZ/EC initiative and start-up funding provided by the program. This “new” approach to solving the problems faced in underserved, poor communities through empowering those directly affected has shown to be effective. Building and maintaining strong relationships through partnering with various local, private, state and federal entities is what has made our success possible. We know firsthand that this program design works, not only in our community, but in the many throughout the nation, who have been just as successful. Our steering committee is still strong, consisting of many of the original members and meets an average of 6 times per year. The local committees (census tracts and developable sites) meet separately within their respective sites as well. Although designation will end this year, continued success will be achieved as the steering committees, community members and the support from the many partners continues.

*Disclaimer Notice

Southeast Oklahoma EC Summary Page    Southeast Oklahoma EC Funding Page 

Main Map    EZ/EC Home Page