TWO CENTRAL OKLAHOMA COMMUNITIES RECEIVE VALUABLE TOOLS TO FOCUS ON ECONOMIC REVITALIZATION & RESILIENCY

The Community Economic Resiliency Initiative (CERI) Program, funded in part by the 2020 CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant and the Economic Development Administration (EDA) Planning Grant, was created by ACOG in 2021. The CERI Program offers municipal governments the opportunity to develop planning demonstration (demo) projects that will model strategic community and economic investments with a focus on sustainable economic recovery and long-term resiliency.

Three CERI projects have been successfully completed in the cities of El Reno, Harrah, and Guthrie. In 2023, ACOG partnered with the University of Oklahoma Institute for Quality Communities (IQC) to provide a toolkit of services to successful applicants, serving as the foundation for effective economic revitalization and resiliency.

Following a competitive RFP process,  the ACOG Board approved two (2) planning demonstration site projects as recommended by the CERI Review Committee:

• The City of Noble – Noble Main Street Revitalization and Preservation Plan
• The City of Choctaw – Choctaw 23rd Street Corridor Plan

At the May 30, 2024 ACOG Board of Directors meeting, a presentation of the results and outcomes of the year-long planning initiatives in Choctaw and Noble were provided by OU IQC staff.

“Through collaborative community engagement and comprehensive research, the IQC team and the CERI program helped our citizens craft a vision rooted in pedestrian safety, placemaking, beautification, and economic development. Together, we’re building a vibrant future for Noble.” – Mayor Phil Freeman, Noble

Planning consultant services were provided by IQC through an inter-local agreement. Funding of $25,000 per planning demonstration site was provided, which entailed $22,500 of ACOG EDA Planning Grant funds, along with a $2,500 match in local funds from each city.

Applications are now being accepted for the 2024-2025 CERI Program until July 15, 2024.