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Stitt and Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell, Department of Commerce Executive Director Brent Kisling and Economic Development Director Jennifer Springer, toured an aircraft manufacturing plant in Owasso and a small factory in Broken Arrow that has transitioned from building oil and gas field equipment to high-end firearms. They also heard from a number of other businesses that benefited from state programs intended to get Oklahoma businesses through this year’s sharp COVID-related downturn.

Read more about Gov. Stitt touts Oklahoma's COVID-19 relief for small businesses in visits to Owasso, Broken Arrow

Stitt toured Mingo Aerospace, an Owasso-based aircraft component repair and manufacturing facility, which received a $113,550 award from OBBAP to fund a project designed to bring outsourced repairs from Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma City back into the state.

“Aerospace and defense is a huge driver for Oklahoma’s economy,” Stitt said during the visit. “We have Tinker … we’ve got American Airlines, so there’s companies like Mingo that are really the supply chain for all those … So, really proud of their leadership, the Emery family, here in Owasso.”

Bill Emery, managing director at Mingo, oversees 45 employees at the family-owned company. He had to lay off six technicians during the initial phases of the COVID-19 pandemic, but has since rehired two of them, thanks in part to Stitt’s relief efforts.

Due to the popularity of and need for the program, approximately 3,000 OBRP business applications remained unfunded after the submission form was closed. With no additional funding left for the program but understanding that there was still great need, Kouplen and the Oklahoma Department of Commerce (Commerce) worked diligently to find a way to help.

To provide assistance to those remaining businesses, Governor Kevin Stitt, Oklahoma’s CARES FORWARD team and Commerce announced today that the state will dedicate an additional $45 million to allow qualifying OBRP applicants to receive up to a $14,250 grant. Qualifying applicants are those who submitted to a participating financial institution (PFI) on or before July 14 at 9:00 a.m. that did not receive OBRP Phase 2 funding.

“The vision of the OBRP was to provide Oklahoma companies impacted by COVID-19 access to much needed funding to bridge the gap while they work to get back up to speed, both in terms of operations and revenues,” said Stitt. “Our CARES FORWARD team has worked hard to ensure these critical funds are distributed quickly and on target, and I am pleased we are able to provide additional assistance to the remaining OBRP applicants.”

Developed to help Oklahoma businesses overcome the economic challenges of COVID-19, OBRP offered vital funding for businesses that have suffered revenue loss due to the pandemic. Businesses submitted their applications through participating financial institutions, and 20% of the program funds were designated for minority-owned businesses. Governor Kevin Stitt originally set aside $50 million in Federal CARES Act funds for Phase 1 of the program, and an additional $50 million for Phase 2. The approval of funding for this final, third group of applications adds another $45 million, for a total of $145 million overall.

Read more about Remaining Oklahoma Business Relief Program Applications to Receive Funding.

Attendees told the governor how the pandemic impacted their businesses.

“A couple of folks got really emotional talking about their businesses,” Stitt said.

“They're trying to take care of their employees, they've got loans to pay back at the bank,” he said.

Stitt said his administration is focused on keeping Oklahomans healthy but can’t lose sight of the need to take care of businesses in the state as well.

Tracey Bittle, executive director of the Leonardo Children's Museum, said her museum was closed for 70 days and had to rely on state grant programs to its employees on staff.

“During that time period, we lost over $241,000 from our annual income,” she said.

The museum applied for the Oklahoma Business Relief Program and was able to provide 30 employees with income, she said.

Read more about Stitt hears from Enid business leaders about pandemic struggles.

“For the past two months, the State has closely followed guidance from the federal government in how to distribute critical Coronavirus Relief Funds to state agencies, cities and counties. After working with and observing the fiscal impact of COVID-19 on local governments, I directed our team to streamline its reimbursement process and to deliver more flexibility for getting these critical funds out the door,” Stitt said. “The new CRF allocation model will ensure city and county governments have equitable access and more foresight as they plan for the remainder 2020.”

The State’s new CRF allocation model designates a portion of the $250 million to each city and county based on a formula of $77 per capita. The model calculates city and county populations using the latest 2019 Census estimates, and county populations solely reflect unincorporated areas.

City and county governments have until Nov. 1 to apply for reimbursement of expenses related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Read more about City to get $7 million in CARES funds

Churches are also stepping up to meet the need. Edmond school officials say they're looking to partner the churches that led their food distribution programs over the summer to help provide more daycare options.

When looking for a place for your child during online learning days, experts recommend you make sure your provider is caring for kids ages 5 and up.

There should be one provider for 5 children, and that includes the provider's own kids. There should be no more than 10 children in total, with two providers. The program can only run for up to 10 weeks unless it gets certification from DHS.

Read more about Metro businesses pivot to meet childcare need.

“For the past two months, the State has closely followed guidance from the federal government in how to distribute critical Coronavirus Relief Funds to state agencies, cities and counties,” Stitt said in a release. “The new CRF allocation model will ensure city and county governments have equitable access and more foresight as they plan for the remainder 2020.”

Both Owasso and Collinsville were named on the list of recipients, with Owasso eligible for over $2.5 million and Collinsville authorized for over $557,700.

Read more about Cities of Owasso, Collinsville receive over $3.4 million in CARES Act funds.  

“For the past two months, the State has closely followed guidance from the federal government in how to distribute critical Coronavirus Relief Funds to state agencies, cities and counties. After working with and observing the fiscal impact of COVID-19 on local governments, I directed our team to streamline its reimbursement process and to deliver more flexibility for getting these critical funds out the door,” said Gov. Stitt. “The new CRF allocation model will ensure city and county governments have equitable access and more foresight as they plan for the remainder 2020.”

The State’s new CRF allocation model designates a portion of the $250 million to each city and county based on a formula of $77 per capita. The model calculates city and county populations using the latest 2019 Census estimates, and county populations solely reflect unincorporated areas.

City and county governments have until Nov. 1, 2020 to apply for reimbursement of expenses related to the COVID-19 pandemic. To learn the maximum amount a city or county is eligible for, please click here.

Under the CARES Act, federal funds were directly awarded to cities and counties with populations above 500,000. Tulsa (401,190) is the largest Oklahoma city or county without a direct allocation and will now receive more than $30 million from the State.

“I am so grateful to Governor Stitt and our partners at the State for ensuring local communities have the resources they need to meet the challenges of this pandemic,” said Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum. “Now more than ever, we must be innovative and work together to meet the immediate needs of our residents and to plan for our community’s recovery. I look forward to partnering with the State to ensure these funds are deployed quickly in support of our residents, our schools, and the continued safe reopening of our city.”

Read more about STATE ANNOUNCES CARES ACT MODEL TO DEPLOY UP TO $250 MILLION TO CITIES, COUNTIES FOR COVID-19.

Long-term care and nursing home facilities in Oklahoma have until Aug. 31 to apply for grant funding from the state now to cover the expense of infection disease support, PPE supplies, and mitigation expenses related to the coronavirus pandemic.

“Governor Stitt and OSDH prioritized these critical CARES Act funds to continue to help Oklahoma’s nursing homes and long-term care facilities operate safely while keeping residents connected with their loved ones during the pandemic,” said Interim Health Commissioner Lance Frye, MD. “The grant process is simple and straightforward, and we urge facilities to get their applications in before August 31 in order to be eligible.”

The OSDH said that 66 percent of Oklahoma's long-term care facilities and nursing homes have applied for a CARES Act grant since it was first announced by Gov. Kevin Stitt and Commissioner Frye on June 30.

49 percent of coronavirus related deaths in Oklahoma have been associated with a resident in a long-term care facility or nursing home, the OSDH said.

Read more about Deadline extended for Oklahoma nursing homes to apply for CARES Act grant.

The money will go to what is being called Community HOPE Centers that are being set up across Oklahoma. The first one will be the Boys and Girls Club at Templo de Alabanza in southwest Oklahoma City.

“There will be a pretty critical element of just giving kids a safe place to go where they can receive the resources and supports that are necessary,” said Secretary of Human Services Justin Brown.

Brown said the department plans to expand the Community HOPE Centers to 30 sites across the state.

Read more about Gov. Stitt announces $15 million set to help Oklahoma children learn amid pandemic.