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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">It’s that time of year again!
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Segoe UI Emoji",sans-serif">😊</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">If you are a nationally accredited and designated community, you are eligible to apply for the FY25 TOOLS FOR YOUR BUSINESS GRANT.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="xyiv6749888745msonormal"><span class="oypena"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">TOOLS FOR YOUR BUSINESS is a<b> FREE</b> and interactive event for all business owners and budding entrepreneurs. Covering topics in a speed-dating style format, attendees
will meet local professionals to help their businesses and network with other business owners to strengthen the economic vitality of your community’s historic core.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="xyiv6749888745msonormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">As the result of our success in Enid, Yukon, Altus, Woodward & Tulsa Global, our leadership has seen the value of creating more entrepreneurship opportunities in our Main Streets programs as
well as providing business retention expansion. As a result, we have set-up a<i> stipend</i> of up to $2,500 per awarded to help with planning, resources and event execution.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="xyiv6749888745msonormal"><span class="oypena"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">TARGET AUDIENCE:</span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="xyiv6749888745msonormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">People who want to start a business but don’t know where to start.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="xyiv6749888745msonormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">People who are in business but want to go to the expand.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="xyiv6749888745msonormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Partners to include: City representatives (permits),local banks, CDFI’s, local insurance agents, marketing and branding firms, SBDC, Able Commission, Bi-lingual
staff or translators, local career tech, college or university reps, radio, newspaper, etc.<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul>
<p class="xyiv6749888745msonormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">The stipend is to be used solely towards your local vendors that would provide services for proper event planning such as space rental, printing of marketing/promotion materials, food, etc.
If your program is selected, we would provide instructions/information to ensure a proper processing system is followed for payment of services to your vendors directly. Consequently, on the last page of application (List of Vendors for Consideration), please
leave blank as we will cover this separately should your program be selected. <o:p>
</o:p></span></p>
<p class="xyiv6749888745msonormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">If you are interested in this opportunity, please fill out the attached application by 5pm June 14<sup>th</sup>. If needed, we will be happy to schedule and meet with you, your Board President
& EV Chair/Committee to answer any questions prior to the completing of the application as both your President and Chair would need to provide signatures on the application along with yours before submitting to us.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="xyiv6749888745msonormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Funding for stipend has been set aside for our FY’25 which starts on
<b>July 1<sup>st</sup></b>, so, if chosen, your program can plan your event anytime between
<b>July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025</b>. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="xyiv6749888745msonormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Note: We will award
<i>no</i> more than 4 Main Street programs for FY’25, so consider this a competitive application given that we currently have a number of programs that have expressed interest.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="xyiv6749888745msonormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">I look forward to hearing from and working with you to bring entrepreneurial opportunities to your community!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">Tamara Nelson, Economic Development Specialist<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white;vertical-align:baseline"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">Oklahoma Main Street Center | Oklahoma Department of Commerce</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white;vertical-align:baseline"><u><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black"><a href="mailto:Tamara.Nelson@OKCommerce.gov"><span style="color:black">Tamara.Nelson@OKCommerce.gov</span></a>
</span></u><u><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white;vertical-align:baseline"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">c.405-778-9321
<i>(text capable)</i></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white;vertical-align:baseline"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black"><a href="https://okcommerce.gov/"><span style="color:black;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">OKcommerce.gov</span></a>
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black"><img border="0" width="176" height="56" style="width:1.8333in;height:.5833in" id="Picture_x0020_4" src="cid:image001.png@01DAB112.57D58670" alt="Title: State of Oklahoma logo - Description: Multi-color chevron pinwheel with the word Oklahoma to the right. "></span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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