Oklahoma Department of Commerce awards $150k in Grant Funding to Gatesway Foundation for the Gatesway Industries Business Service Center project
Broken Arrow, OK, 8/26/24 – The Oklahoma Department of Commerce has awarded Gatesway Foundation a grant of $150,000 for use to launch their pilot program for Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD). This grant was provided through Oklahoma Innovation Expansion Program (OIEP) and designated for Gatesway subsidiary currently known as Gatesway Industries (GWI).
The Oklahoma Innovation Expansion Program (OIEP) makes $15 million in funding available to qualifying companies across the state. OIEP supports high-impact new capital investment across a broad range of industries to help diversify the state’s economy, lead to new product development or increase capacity at Oklahoma’s existing companies. In addition to encouraging new capital investment, these awards support existing jobs and the creation of new jobs. The program is administered by the Oklahoma Department of Commerce (Commerce) and the Oklahoma Development Finance Authority (ODFA).
This program funding will allow for the launch of a new initiative to provide office support services to businesses and individuals across Tulsa County, including a variety of concierge services. This project will provide over a dozen new jobs to Gatesway Friends in various positions to match their individual wants and goals. These funds will also cover the first-year expenses for the venture, giving a smooth launch to this new program for the organization. The pilot location, which has yet to be officially named, is estimated to launch in Spring 2025.
This project will serve as an innovative, transformative hub for empowering and employing individuals living with I/DD, providing a variety of opportunities within various areas of essential office services for personal and professional growth, skills training, knowledge expansion, working alongside members of the business community, and more.
This is the first of many projects planned for employment opportunities and improvements available to Friends. As Gatesway focuses on quality in all things – housing, care, and life – this is a great step towards a brighter future for both Gatesway Friends and the I/DD Community as a whole.
About Gatesway Foundation, Inc.: Gatesway is a non-profit Oklahoma agency that encourages independence and provides opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities to enable them to live and work in the community and improve their quality of life.