TSET AWARDS THE CITY OF MUSKOGEE A $70,000 HEALTHY INCENTIVE PROGRAM GRANT
TULSA, Oklahoma (September 19, 2019) – The Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) recognized the City of Muskogee on Thursday for its efforts to improve the health and quality of life people in the community.
Muskogee received a $70,000 Healthy Incentive Program for Communities grant from TSET. City officials used the funds to design and construct sidewalk projects.
“We are excited to recognize communities working to improve the health of their citizens by making investments that enhance quality of life for generations to come,” said Julie Bisbee, TSET Executive Director. “Combined with other prevention efforts, smart community policies support healthy choices and reduce the burden of poor health and preventable deaths in our state. We applaud the City of Muskogee for their commitment.”
The recognition took place at the annual Oklahoma Municipal League (OML) conference. TSET Executive Director Julie Bisbee, OML Executive Director Mike Fina and President Randy Ross presented a plaque and check to Muskogee’s City Manager, Mike Miller and Council Members Ivory Vann and Wayne Johnson.
TSET incentive grant funding is based on population and strategies implemented. Those strategies include adopting policies or ordinances for all city-owned and operated property to be tobacco-free and vapor-free, street and zoning policies that improve walkability and promoting community gardens and farmer markets. All of these efforts help residents live healthy, active and tobacco-free lifestyles.
TSET was created by a vote of the people in 2000 to ensure that settlement payments from a 1998 multi-state lawsuit against the tobacco industry are used to improve the health of all Oklahomans. The funds are placed in an endowment and the earnings from the endowment are used to fund grants and programs.
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About TSET
The Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) serves as a partner and bridge builder for organizations working towards shaping a healthier future for all Oklahomans. TSET provides leadership at the intersections of health by working across the state, by cultivating innovative and life-changing research, and by working across public and private sectors to develop, support, implement and evaluate creative strategies to take advantage of emerging opportunities to improve the public's health. TSET. Better Lives Through Better Health.