Alva Review-Courier -

The Woods County Economic Development Committee hosted its second donor dinner Tuesday evening to honor donors and present information about what their organization offers, as well as hear from esteemed speaker and State Director of Rural Development Kenneth Corn. Corn is a former member of the Oklahoma Senate, representing an electoral district that included Sequoyah and Le Flore counties from 2002-2010. He served as Democratic caucus chair in the Oklahoma Senate and previously served in the Oklahoma House of Representatives from 1998 to 2002. The evening kicked off with Woods County Economic Development Committee Executive Director Jeremy Zeller introducing the WCEDC Board, which includes Susan Bradford, Dr. Kay Decker, Dr. Jeremy Eaton, David Hamil, Dr. Bo Hannaford, Cale Leeper, and Jack Staats. He also recognized Woods County Economic Development Authority members Bob Baker, Brodie Bush, Melissa Fisher, Stan Kline, and Randy McMurphy. 

Zeller then gave a brief speech on things the Committee does to help Woods County businesses regarding economic growth and development. He said their mission is to improve the Woods County base through communication, retention, and recruitment efforts. They also focus on the tourism aspect of the county, developing partnerships with other entities and offering free one-on-one confidential business consultations. Zeller said they work tirelessly to search for funding and grant opportunities to assist with business improvements and infrastructure. Their resources provide businesses with access to data and statistics for analytical and strategic planning. Zeller encouraged business owners to reach out to utilize these resources. 

State Director of Rural Development Kenneth Corn 

Upon completing his presentation, Zeller introduced Kenneth Corn, who, on Feb. 24, 2022, President Biden appointed to serve as the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) State Director for Rural Development in Oklahoma. Corn said he thought long and hard about leaving his secure job as the city manager of Anadarko because he could be out of the rural development job after the next election cycle.

He took to the podium, saying, "Oftentimes, you hear people say I'm here for the government, and I'm here to help you, and people are always kind of fearful when they hear that." The comment elicited some chuckles from the audience.

Still, Corn continued, saying that Rural Development was indeed there to help, and said his agency is available to be a partner and find ways to help communities advance goals to prosper, not just survive. He said he and his agency are passionate about what they do because it affects everybody and that the water we drink, the air we breathe, and the food we eat all come from rural areas, so no matter where one is located, rural development matters. Corn said President Biden has clearly said he believes rural America has been left behind – main streets are empty, infrastructure is crumbling, and there have been real struggles in getting investments in rural areas. 

Resources from Congress

Corn said President Biden has focused on finding ways of putting money back into rural communities and made it clear to state directors that it was their obligation to make sure rural communities get a portion of money from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law passed by Congress in 2021. (Congress passed this Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal to rebuild America's roads, bridges and rails, expand access to clean drinking water, ensure every American has access to high-speed internet, tackle the climate crisis, advance environmental justice, and invest in communities that have been deemed to be left behind.)

Corn said it was his job to ensure places like Oklahoma City and Tulsa didn't soak up all the funding. He stated that the money hasn't come to USDA Rural Development to dole out, he has been out making sure communities know how to get it. He recognized the infrastructure program wasn't from his department but that his department serves to connect rural communities to the places that do. 

Rural Energy Program

Corn said the Rural Energy Program is one thing they are talking a lot about right now. The program provides guaranteed loan financing and grant funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for renewable energy systems or to make energy efficiency improvements.

This program was part of The Inflation Reduction Act, passed in 2022 along party lines (51-50, with Vice President Kamala Harris breaking the tie).

Corn said the USDA is involved in the program for several reasons. First, small businesses in rural areas struggle to make a profit, so helping those businesses through this grant program can help put money back into their pocket with less money spent on utilities.

Second, the infrastructure for electricity in the United States is overtaxed, so the program lessens the demand on the energy system.

Third, costs may decrease for others who may not be eligible for the program because the energy system demand has reduced. Overall, it is good for the environment, Corn said.

The program can provide qualified small businesses with a 50 percent grant of up to $500,000 for things like a new roof for one's business, new windows, lighting, insulation, HVAC units, or more energy-efficient equipment.

"You're never going to see this deal ever again. I tell people all the time this is an opportunity because many of our businesses need to do these things anyway. This is your chance to get your money back from the federal government so you can do things important to your business to save you money and put more money in your pocket (...) Sometimes, I hear people say, 'I don't want to take money from the federal government. I don't want to take money from the Biden Administration.'"

Corn made it clear the money does not belong to Congress, that it is not President Biden's money, that it is theirs, taxpayers'. He said somebody would get the money, so why not you, the small business owner? Corn said the program application dates are Oct. 1 through Dec. 31. He encouraged ag producers to apply as well, and they are seeing those producers install solar on wells and irrigation systems, and also wind turbines. 

Other Programs

Corn said another program is the Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program. It helps agricultural producers enter value-added activities to generate new products, create and expand marketing opportunities, and increase producer income. Those who may receive priority are beginning farmers or ranchers, socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers, small or medium-sized farms, ranches structured as a family farm, farmer or rancher cooperatives, and those proposing a mid-tier value chain.

Stacy Sanborn

At the WCEDC donor dinner Tuesday night, Woods County Commissioner Randy McMurphy, Chairman of the Avard Regional Rail Park Authority Stan Bixler, guest speaker and State Director of Rural Development Kenneth Corn, and Avard Regional Rail Park Authority board member Todd Holder pose for a picture after Corn gave a speech packed with information on what his agency has to offer in the way of resources and grants for small business owners.

The last program Corn mentioned was the Rural Business Development Grant. It is designed to provide technical assistance and training for small rural businesses. Small means the business has fewer than 50 new workers and less than $1 million in gross revenue. He said in Commanche, the City bought an old motel, remodeled it, and each room has become a pop-up shop. Now, it is full and has a waiting list of over 70 businesses waiting for an opening to one of the rooms. This business model has resulted in a significant increase in sales tax, Corn said.

In Guthrie, a coffee roaster who received money from this grant was able to buy a new machine, resulting in his 10-year business plan becoming a two-year plan for expansion in that community. Ardmore is using its grant money for parking and sidewalk improvements to benefit downtown small businesses. 

Conclusion

"The world has changed dramatically since the pandemic. The world of work has changed dramatically. People are coming back to rural communities because they don't have to live in Dallas, in San Diego, or New York City. They can choose to live in a rural community and work because the telework situation has now become part of the workforce," said Corn.

He added that people are choosing to return to rural communities because of the quality of life and because they are not getting wages cut, and those wages stretch a lot further in rural areas. Rural Development has over 70 programs, and people should visit them to see what is available, Corn added.