Leadership Tahlequah unveils plan to work with Habitat for Humanity

Dec. 22—Leadership Tahlequah Class 26 presented its project Dec. 21 to the Tahlequah Area Chamber of Commerce board: donating funds for an excavator to Habitat for Humanity to help build homes.

The proposal from Emily Christie, volunteer with Leadership and representing Cherokee Nation Health Services, laid out the plan to supplement funds Habitat has budgeted for an excavator to the sum of $15,000.

"Habitat for Humanity builds homes and performs critical repairs for community with a great need in Cherokee County," Christie said. "They have done such a wonderful job throughout our community that we really wanted to benefit them to benefit our community further."

What Habitat needs is a new excavator, Christie said. Habitat currently has about $30,000 set aside to buy one.

"They were buying one with only a half-life and what we wanted to do is to fundraise and donate money so they could buy a newer excavator that would increase the speed of repair," Christie said. "Currently, they are going off of contracted services which we know can slow down the process of builds as they wait for a spot in the schedule."

Habitat is building two houses a year and volunteers want to do more, so this will decrease the time to build a home, Christie said.

Leadership plans to raise the money and volunteer with the organization to the tune of 500 service hours — the same amount a couple would have to donate in work on their home.

Treasurer Genny Maiden asked what the 500 hours averaged out per person in the class. She praised the project for not only doing a donation but also volunteering time.

"That averages out to 21 hours per person," said Anthony McCarty, president of Leadership. "I think that is well within our reach."

Jim Berry, board member and CEO of Northeastern Health System, questioned the wisdom of buying a new one versus the original plan by Habitat.

"My question is a practical one and not a criticism. Why do you need to buy a new excavator when a rebuilt or used one is less expensive and you aren't going to wear it out, based upon the usage you laid out in your presentation?" Berry asked.

Christie said the funds are being donated directly to Habitat, and if the organization chooses not to use the money on an excavator, that still puts $15,000 in their budget.

"From an advisement standpoint in construction that I'm in, you buy used trucks and buy new equipment for the warranty," said Dillin Springwater, owner of Springwater Lawn Care.

The board approved the project.

Nathan Reed, CEO of TACC, gave the financial report, which was approved by the board. Part of the report was an update on garnishment of funds from David Moore, former executive director of TACC, who was imprisoned on charges of money laundering, wire fraud and failure to remit employment taxes. The initial amount of the judgment was a little under $400,000.

"Member investments were up, year-to-date were up, special programs were up year-to-date, and we are positive $75,000, and we budgeted to have a positive of $75," Reed said.

A board member reported there were complaints about the street not being cleaned up from the Christmas parade by the next morning. Reed said there was a meeting with the city, and in the future, multiple points of communication set up for next year's parade to ensure that doesn't happen again.

Reed updated the board on Cross Industries' move from Canada to Tahlequah. CI is a company that primarily produces 10/10 Cross Mag, a two 10-round magazine, featuring integral couplers, allowing for four unique coupling configurations. The plastics manufacturing company also creates products from designs submitted by clients. The business is across from Tahlequah Lumber on Park Hill Street.

"Dave Cross got his first load moved here from Canada and plans to start up production the first quarter of next year," Reed said.

Tahlequah Regional Development Authority officially approved Provalus' bid for construction of the Workman building.

TRDA submitted grant requests for Progressing Rural Economic Prosperity funds for rural communities to be used in updating the Industrial Park. There are 130 acres of raw land left there.

"We got awarded about $2.2 million to spend out at the Industrial Park and it will be for stormwater; the bridge on Woodard Street, which is considered unsafe; and wastewater extension to the whole park," Reed said. "It makes the park much more valuable."

A shared professional services agreement between TRDA and TACC was tabled for further review. It would reduce number of hours on economic development for Chamber staff to half versus 75% of the time now.

The Women in Business Christmas Market was a great success, Reed said. The event was sold out and vendors reported good results at their booths.

What's next

The next Chamber of Commerce meeting is Jan. 23, 2024, at 8 a.m. at Indian Capital Technology Center, 240 Vo-Tech Drive. The next Monthly Mingle will be Jan. 5, 2024, at 8 a.m., at Peak Health and Performance, 148 Williams St. The next Business After Hours is Jan. 11, 2024, 4-6 p.m. at Kroner & Baer, 200 N. Muskogee Ave.