Business news

Economy loses jobs & millions in sales COVID’s heavy toll on art industry

A new report released by the Metropolitan Policy Program at the Brookings Institution, co-authored by Richard Florida ("The Rise of the Creative Class"), confirms what many in the arts in Oklahoma have feared – the COVID-19 pandemic is taking a heavy toll on the state's arts and cultural industry.

The report shows that between April 1 and July 31, 2020, Oklahoma experienced an estimated loss of 19,504 creative industry jobs and $606 million in sales of creative industry goods and services. Data indicates the fine and performing arts have been hit hardest by the pandemic, with losses disproportionate to other parts of the creative economy – representing up to 50 percent of jobs lost in some cases.

Oklahoma Arts Council Executive Director Amber Sharples said without further relief for the arts sector, the data implies a grim outlook for Oklahoma. "This report verifies the dire circumstances facing our sector," Sharples said. "Artists and creative workers are out of jobs; performance venues, theaters, and festivals are shuttered; and, fundraising events are nearly impossible. As creative industries and occupations are essential to a healthy and growing Oklahoma economy, there is real risk of long-term negative outcomes for our state. We must pursue all means necessary to provide relief to the arts industry so that our state can continue its Top Ten trajectory."

The Economic Impact of

Arts and Culture in Oklahoma

Representing 2.3 percent of the state's gross domestic product (GDP), Oklahoma's arts and cultural sector is a sizable part of the state's economy (source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2017). A study released in 2017 showed that nonprofit arts and cultural organizations and their audiences in Oklahoma have significant economic impact, including:

Producing $872.8 million in economic activity

Supporting 29,165 jobs

Generating $84.5 million in state and local tax revenue

According to the authors of the Brookings Institution report, the creative sector is one of three key sectors that drive regional economies. The authors state that lasting damage to an area's creative sector will drastically undercut culture, wellbeing, and quality of life.

The Brookings Institution report, "Lost Art: Measuring COVID-19's Devastating Impact on America's Creative Economy," is available for download at www.brookings.edu.

Citizens Bank of Edmond

PHOTO PROVIDED From acclaimed stage productions in New York, to right here in Oklahoma, many plays and musicals have been idled by the virus.

finalist for Finovate Award

Citizens Bank of Edmond wide through this current crisis. and Teslar Software, a provider This award proves that great inof automated workflow and novation is accessible to even portfolio management tools the smallest banks with the designed to help community fimost limited resources.” nancial institutions thrive, anPPP.bank has been a huge hit nounced last week that they with business owners since it have been named as a finalist was launched in late May. for the second annual Finovate Awards. Castilla Within the first three days that the site was live, it had 14,000

Citizens Bank of Edmond small business users. Today, it and Teslar Softward were recognized as has more than 230,000 pageviews to one of five finalists in the Best Fintech date. Partnership category. The Best Fintech “We are proud to have been named Partnership Award is given to a finana 2020 Finovate Awards finalist for our cial institution and fintech company collaboration with Citizens Bank of Edwho are working together to build a mond on PPP.bank,”said Joe Ehrhardt, new, groundbreaking product and acCEO and founder of Teslar Software. knowledges two organizations whose “This year has been incredibly tough for partnership allows them to do somesmall businesses across our country, so thing together that is greater than the helping them more seamlessly navigate sum of their parts. the complex PPP forgiveness process is

The fintech and bank were selected something we felt compelled to do. for their launch of PPP.bank, a free Supporting Main Street’s revival and website that they created in collaboracontributing to the greater good will altion with Mark Cuban to provide small ways be a top priority for both Teslar businesses with assistance in navigating Software and Citizens Bank of Edthe U.S. Small Business Administration’s mond.” application for Paycheck Protection Pro“The Finovate Awards highlight innogram (PPP) forgiveness. With PPP.bank, vative ideas that are driving fintech forany borrower can get an estimate for ward,”said Greg Palmer, Vice President the forgiveness of their PPP loans and of Finovate. “This is often accomplished generate a PDF application to provide by strong bank and fintech partnerto their lender. To keep applicants’ inships, as we’ve seen here with Teslar formation secure, this site does not Software and Citizens Bank of Edmond, have a database. Data that is entered which is why this Best Fintech Partnerwill not be kept, shared, sold or ship category is always so competitive. archived. They identified a need to simplify the

“It is a great honor for Citizens Bank complex PPP forgiveness process and of Edmond to be the first Oklahomaoffered it to small businesses free of based company named as a finalist for charge and regardless of bank affiliathe prestigious 2020 Finovate Awards,” tion. It’s a timely and well thought out said Jill Castilla, CEO and President of plan that provides a sense of underCitizens Bank of Edmond. “In just 10 standing and organization to business days, PPP.bank was built and deployed owners who are struggling from the out of a desire to help small businesses pandemic, and the recognition as a Fisuccessfully navigate the complex PPP novate Awards finalist is thoroughly deforgiveness application without fees or served.” privacy concerns. Citizens Bank of EdWinners will be announced during Fimond is proud to have partnered with novateFall Digital on Sept. 14. More on Teslar Software and Mark Cuban who the awards can be found here: are visionary leaders with a shared pashttps://informaconnect.com/finovatesion for a thriving Main Street nationindustry-awards/awards-categories/.

Lewis Moore

State Rep. Lewis Moore, R-Edmond, last week held an interim study focusing on ways to serve first responders.

Presenters at the study discussed current resources and techniques first responders have available, and also shared some stories of programs designed to address this issue, such as one implemented two years ago by the Tulsa Police Department. Additionally, presenters highlighted training and funding needs to better equip first responders and their families in the future.

“Recent years have put a greater spotlight on the mental health needs of our first responders and their families,” Moore said. “Our first responders daily are on the frontline serving the public while also dealing with stress and trauma and other effects within their own ranks. They need proper training and equipment, and it is urgent that we secure additional funding, especially for our police departments.”

Moore has been a leader on this issue at the state Capitol. He has worked with Landmark Recovery to serve individuals with drug and alcohol addiction.

Speakers at the interim study included:

Carrie Slatton-Hodges, commissioner of the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services; Verna Foust, CEO of Red Rock Behavioral Health Services; John Graham, EMSA Chief of Staff; and Sgt. Amber McCarthy with Tulsa Police Department.

Help for first responders can be found at Red Rock’s crisis line 405-987-ROCK (7625) or online at the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, https://www.ok.gov/odmhsas/.

Interim studies give lawmakers a chance to hear from experts, asked detailed questions and examine issues in greater depth than is often possible during the legislative session. Today’s study was one of more than 70 approved by the speaker of the House.

Federal & state grants reach record levels at metro’s OHSC

The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center earned a record high $190 million in federal and state awards during state fiscal year 2020, a milestone that advances research and other strategies to improve health and well-being among Oklahomans.

The total includes $86.3 million from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), considered the gold standard in research funding. The OU Health Sciences Center brings the most NIH funding to Oklahoma through its national centers of excellence, and the total for fiscal year 2020 represents growth of 40% over the previous year. That growth is a testament to the innovative work taking place across all seven colleges on campus, said Vice President for Research James Tomasek, Ph.D.

“Research is a primary mission of the OU Health Sciences Center, with the aim of advancing knowledge and improving the health of the state,” Tomasek said. “As the academic and research partner of OU Medicine, the state’s comprehensive healthcare system, a critical component of our strategic plan is to make research discoveries that lead to new methods of preventing, diagnosing and treating disease.”

Two of the OU Health Sciences Center’s key research areas, cancer and neuroscience/vision, saw a significant increase in grants in fiscal year 2020. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the National Eye Institute (NEI), two major NIH Institutes, awarded $16.1 million and $10.9 million, respectively, to the OU Health Sciences Center. That represents an increase of 26% percent from the NCI and 62% from NEI over the previous fiscal year. Those grants are used for projects ranging from laboratory science to clinical trials, ultimately improving patient care and outcomes at Stephenson Cancer Center and Dean McGee Eye Institute.

The OU Health Sciences Center also received $8.3 million from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, an increase of 221% over the previous fiscal year. Much of that research furthers the understanding and treatment of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes in children and adults at Harold Hamm Diabetes Center, advancing the search for a cure.

One of the largest NIH grants over

School is a time

the past year was a five-year, $11 million award to create the Oklahoma Center for Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunity, a hub for research into many types of infections and the immune system response, which is critical in facing COVID-19 and other emerging pathogens. This Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence (CoBRE) grant establishes multidisciplinary research in Oklahoma and enables talented researchers to compete for additional federal awards.

“This grant is an exciting opportunity because it will allow us to advance our research through collaborations with scientists in other disciplines and other universities,” said Jimmy Ballard, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology in the OU College of Medicine. “But the grant is also significant because a major component of the program is mentoring junior researchers. They will contribute to better patient treatment with their projects, while building their careers and attracting additional grant funding that helps to drive Oklahoma’s economic growth.”

Many of the NIH grants earned by researchers at the OU Health Sciences Center are made possible by an important local nonprofit organization – the Presbyterian Health Foundation (PHF). Each year, PHF awards millions in grants, which researchers use to further their investigations or purchase crucial equipment they would otherwise be unable to acquire.

“Our partnership with PHF is indicative of the importance of local funding to the process of research,” Tomasek said. “Because of the generosity of entities like PHF, our researchers are able to enhance their investigations and make discoveries that then attract the attention of federal funding sources like the NIH.”

Overall, federal funds awarded to the OU Health Sciences Center increased by 43% over the previous fiscal year. Grants from the U.S. Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) were second behind the NIH in federal awards to the OU Health Sciences Center. In fiscal year 2020, HRSA awarded several multimillion-dollar grants, including one for suicide prevention strategies in Native Ameri

can and other communities.

for new fitness

By Brian Attebery

School is back in session. It may not be our normal yearbut schedules are being made and school is in session.

For many, school year marks establishing a routine. It is Attebery also a re-start of fitness and nutrition routines that fell off during the last few months. It is an important time to get your discipline back with fitness, nutrition and health. New Year’s Resolutions mark the beginning or new beginning of a fitness and nutrition program for many. Many of us have used the last few months issues as an excuse to park the exercise and eating healthy. We all know that is an excuse and not going to help our immune systems and over-all health. It is time to get back on track and treat yourself right!

The start of the school year is a great time to start back on track if you have let it slip. Like New Year’s, this time of year marks the time to get back on a responsible schedule after having holidays and down time. Holidays and vacations are filled with high calorie, not so healthy foods that we all love to eat and drink. I do not exclude myself from this group. My trainers will fully admit we indulge in the yummy foods of life on occasion. Once again, moderation is the key. We deal with the same pressures as anyone. We don’t just eat broccoli and chicken. We fall off the wagon. We also get back on track after those indulgences and tighten up the diet, get back on the cardio and weights and start back over the day we get back.

This year, I want you to get back on track but plan to have mini-breaks from your strict “nutrition lifestyle” and fitness. I use the phrase “nutrition lifestyle” because that is a long term, on-going process and not a moment in time like a “diet” tends to be thought of as. Food is intended to nourish our bodies.

Treat food like that and think

about what it is doing for your body to make it healthy. Have junk food on occasion as a way to feel a reward for the lifestyle you have chosen to live. I like to use these “free days” where I allow myself some “fun foods” as a social release too. Make it a day when you gather with friends and family. We all appreciate having those social interactions no more than ever.

We can talk about adults and their fitness without discussing kids. We all know that this has been a stressful year. Many people have been cooped up in their houses. It is easy to get into sedentary modes with your kids and grandkids. Kids absolutely need to exercise daily for their stress just like adults. It is vital for their physical and mental health. Limit their time on phones, movies and video games. Exercise as a family and get everyone back on track!

The school year is when we must get back into a routine with our children and our selves. That really is the key to fitness and nutrition. You must make it a routine and schedule it. It won’t be perfect but you just keep going. Like school, where there are subjects that are more difficult to us than other subjects, fitness and nutrition can be the same. Some people lose weight easy but find muscle harder to build. Some people feel they get too bulky and can’t lose their fat on top of that. Some people find it difficult to workout because of health issues and do not know how to modify it.

Once again, professional trainers are like teachers. Find one that has an education and allow them to help you get tutored on the “subjects” you struggle with. School would not be rewarding for children if they do not feel successful and as adults, we need to feel successful too. Let the new school year be a new start for you. Let’s get educated!

(Brian Attebery is a Degreed/Certified Trainer. He owns and operates Results Fitness and Nutrition Center, L.L.C. in Edmond. www.resultsfitnessusa.com)

Food drive for children ongoing

Donations to the Reand work and the Relivered to the district's gional Food Bank of Okgional Food Bank's Food high school gymnasium, lahoma's Food for Kids for Kids Programs are where the district will disMatch help the organizacrucial to making that tribute the food to famition as it finds innovative happen." lies with children who ways to provide food to As the school year beparticipate in the prochildren during the gins, the Regional Food grams. COVID-19 pandemic. Bank and its partners are “Collaborations like

Through Sept. 30, all finding innovative ways these are important in donations to the Reto continue providing providing food to the gional Food Bank's Food meals in hundreds of growing number of Oklafor Kids Programs are school districts across homa children who are matched, dollar for dolcentral and western living with food insecular, up to $160,000 Oklahoma, some of rity," said Deb Bunting, thanks to gifts from the which have opted to interim CEO of the ReMasonic Charity Foundahost school virtually. In gional Food Bank. " tion of Oklahoma, order to safely serve Make a donation Dolese Bros., Mark and school districts and entoday by visiting foodBeth Brewer, David and sure that children are forkids.us or by calling Lezlie Hudiburg and getting the nutritious 405-600-3136. David Gorham. food they need, the Re"Dolese Bros. believes gional Food Bank is ofthat no child should ever fering delivery of have to worry where Backpack Program comtheir next meal will come ponents and boxes of from. We are proud to food for the School partner with the RePantry Program. gional Food Bank for this Innovative partneropportunity to help proships with school districts vide meals to the next like Oklahoma City Pubgeneration of Oklalic Schools will see food homans," said Kermit being delivered to BackFrank, director of compack Program students munications and commualong bus routes. Backnity relations at Dolese pack Program and Bros. "We believe in supSchool Pantry Program porting the communities components for Yukon where our employees live Public Schools will be de

Oklahoma Human Services announced new features to its popular okbenefits.org website last week, including considerable support for foster and adoptive families.

With this second release of okbenefits.org, prospective foster and adoptive families will find an easier way to say yes to fostering or adopting. New users can create an account to begin the application process and throughout their journey their very own dashboard will provide a progress stepper that shows where they are in the certification process. Families are also able to upload required documents and receive messages about their progress on their own schedule, day or night.

The website, first launched in February as part of a multi-year plan to re

place the agency’s outdated case management legacy systems, brought online the ability for Oklahomans to apply for child support and view benefit information to better manage their cases. More than 19,000 Oklahomans have already created accounts on okbenefits.org.

“Our agency is dedicated to serving our customers where they are, and with the most efficient and effective tools at our disposal,” said OKDHS director Justin Brown. “OK Benefits is creating pathways for our customers to improve outcomes, and we’re doing it by providing more information and transparency than ever before.”

Once approved, a foster family can access important information about children placed in their home.

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For the safety of our members and friends, all services and events at Channing UUC have been cancelled through April 12th, 2020 in light of the COVID 19 Pandemic. We are ZOOMING through the month ofSeptember! You are welcome to join us. tG NMIOOe Ze arW ou aYer! bemtSepof htone mthoughrh otomecelwerou a ou aYer! bemtSepof n uijo otomecelwerou a s.n u tĞƵƌŐĞĂůůĐŝƟnjĞŶƐƚŽĨŽůůŽǁƚŚĞŐƵŝĚĞůŝŶĞƐ ŐŝǀĞŶďLJƚŚĞŽƌůŽĐĂůĂƵƚŚŽƌŝƟĞƐ͘ Sundays at11:am asyadSun am:t11a &&ŽƌƌŽ ĂŶŶĂ Please be safe. ŝŶǀŝƚĂƟŽŶ͕ƉůĞĂƐĞ ƐĞĞƐĂĞůƉ͕ŶŽƟĂƚŝǀŶŝ ĞĞƐĞƐ ŽƵƌƌƵŽ &WW& ĂŐĞĞŐĂ —— :WK6WUHHW³(GPRQG2. www.facebook.com/ChanningUUChurch/mcok.ocebow.faww rchuUUChgninanCh  See us on Facebook at: : WK 6WUHHW³(GPRQGHUW6KW: W³H GQRPG( 2..2 ǁǁǁ͘ĨĂĐĞŬ͘ĐŽŵͬŚĂŶŶŝŶŐhhŚƵƌĐŚ