TSET AWARDS TWO MCCURTAIN COUNTY TOWNS WITH HEALTHY INCENTIVE PROGRAM GRANTS
TULSA, Oklahoma (September 19, 2019) – The Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) recognized the Towns of Broken Bow and Valliant on Thursday for its efforts to improve the health and quality of life for people in the community.
Broken Bow and Valliant each received $36,000 Healthy Incentive Program for Communities grants from TSET. City officials in Broken Bow will use the funds to build a splash pad in their community. Valliant will use the funds to build a walking trail.
“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 Towns of Broken Bow and Valliant for their commitment.”
The recognitions took place at the annual Oklahoma Municipal League (OML) conference. Bisbee, OML Executive Director Mike Fina and President Randy Ross presented a plaque and check to the Broken Bow City Manager, Vickie Patterson, and Parks and Recreation Director, Ed Richards as well as Valliant’s City Clerk/Treasurer, Patsy Guest, and Town Trustee, Velma Gandy.
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.