July 2020
Ada Strategic Initiative Public Input Session Information
The Ada Jobs Foundation and City of Ada are partnering with Oklahoma Gas and Electric on a strategic initiative to create new action plans for community and economic development. As part of this engagement, the Ada Jobs Foundation is working with TadZo as a strategic consultant who is helping to guide and facilitate this process. The Ada Jobs Foundation worked with TadZo in 2013 on a community economic development strategy, and this engagement will provide an update to the current strategy.

The short-term goal for this engagement is to produce actionable strategies to help Ada prepare for the community and economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, but the long-term goal is to create a flexible strategic framework for Ada’s residents, government, institutional stakeholders, and business community to work on new challenges and opportunities for the community.

As part of this initiative, the Ada Jobs Foundation is coordinating several opportunities for initial public input on this strategic work. The first round of public input will include three outdoor sessions where members of the public can provide input to specific strategic questions using comments written on sticky notes. Initial Public Input Sessions are scheduled on:
Those interested in participating online can follow and participate in each event using Facebook Live posts located at the Ada Jobs Foundation’s Facebook page . After the 25 th , the final posters will be displayed together to the public in the storefront windows of the Ada Jobs Foundation office, located at 209 W. Main Street.

The second round of public input will also include two online Zoom meetings, where participants will be guided to provide structured input and will be aided by the use of virtual whiteboard tools. 
 The Second Round of Public Input Sessions are scheduled on:
Both sessions will be identical in format and are scheduled to provide more flexibility to participants. It is not necessary to participate in both sessions.

The information gathered from these initial sessions will be summarized and presented to a strategic “Leadership Team” of key stakeholders. There will be more opportunities for members of the public to be engaged in this process by participating on “Action Teams” that will help carry out strategic initiatives. Anyone who is interested in providing general input or being involved can contact the Ada Jobs Foundation with the information provided below.

The Ada Jobs Foundation can be contacted for questions, help, or additional information at [email protected] or at (580) 235-0070.
Ada Business Improvement Grant (B.I.G.)
PICTURED: Crowell Lock located at 324 E. Main was a recent BIG recipient. Their project was for a new awning on the front of their building.
Ada businesses and our community are benefiting from the Business Improvement Grant (B.I.G.) program. These grant funds are dedicated to improve the appearance and performance of businesses located within the central business corridor.

The Business Improvement Grant committee recently recommended 6 new projects for the third and final round of the 2019-2020 Fiscal Year funding cycle. These projects were then approved by the Ada Main Street board, and include:
·       Interior improvements to Serendipity on Main, 116 W. Main
·       Exterior improvements to the former Grandview Building, 201 E. Main
·       Exterior improvements to three contiguous projects at 416 to 420 W. Main
·       Exterior roof improvements to 527 W. Main

The total committed for these projects is $25,000, and the fiscal year closed with $75,000 committed to 18 projects.

In addition, there were three projects inspected and awarded checks. These projects include:
·   New awning at Crowell Lock, 324 E. Main (pictured above)
·   New HVAC system at Ignite Fitness, 216 E. Main
·   New stairs and parking lot improvements at the rear entrance of Gray Real Estate, 114 E. Main.

Since the program’s inception, $69,449 has been awarded out of a total of $125,000 of matched funds from the last two fiscal years. There are currently 12 active BIG projects, with $50,738.50 in funds committed to approve projects that are awaiting completion.

Grants are matched for up to 50% of the pre-approved project's cost, not to exceed $5,000 in total grant funding.

The BIG Committee anticipates close to $300,000 in total spending will be reinvested into Ada's business district by the end of the year.
"Ada's local businesses are a vitally important part of our community and economy. The Business Improvement Grant program is providing these businesses an incentive to make improvements to enhance their ability to compete and succeed in today's economy."
- Randy McFarlin, Ada City Council Member and BIG Committee Member
AJF Board Update
2020-2021 Board of Directors
  • Jim Lawson (Chair), PTC
  • Katricia Pierson (Chair Elect), ECU
  • Brigette Jones (Secretary/Treasurer), Citizens Bank
  • Robyn Elliott (Past Chair), Chickasaw Nation
  • Tim Elliott, Redland Childers
  • Kenny Howard, OGE
  • Steve Bagwell, Vision Bank
  • Amy Kaiser (new), First United
  • James Bolt, Flex N Gate

New Ex-officio Members:
  • Jesus Campa, CLEET
  • Stacy Crabtree, Ada Chamber of Commerce
  • David Keith, OK Heritage Bank
  • Terrence Farrell, Mercy Hospital
We appreciate your service Lucas Clark! Lucas rolled off of the board this year after serving for multiple years and in many capacities.
SAVE THE DATE! Community Entrepreneurship Hour
Wednesday, August 12 at 9am via Zoom

Small business owners and entrepreneur join us for a virtual meetup the second Wednesday of each month as featured entrepreneur guest speakers pitch their business. This will be an interactive event where participants are encouraged to engage in conversation and productive feedback. The goal of the Community Entrepreneurship Hour is to provide a platform for aspiring and current entrepreneurs to share their business ideas, receive feedback and connect with like-minded members of the community who support new businesses.
Are you interested in presenting?
Stay connected with the
Ada Entrepreneurship Community on Slack.
COVID-19 Ada Business Resource Portal
A web portal complete with resources on the local, state, and national level to support Ada businesses and individuals.
Thank you to the many Employees and Businesses deemed as "Essential Services" during the pandemic. We appreciate all you do to keep our economy moving, to show up, to be the helpers, the front line. You are appreciated!
Ada Jobs Foundation
580-235-0070
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