Progress 09/01/22 to 08/31/23
Outputs
Target Audience:Community outreach and engagement has been extremely pertinent during this reporting period. Community engagement sessions have taken place in both January and March of 2023. During the January 2023 community engagement session, important feedback on the following topics was received: Planning process Building design Store location Transportation Grocery store prices Grocery store sales Contents of the store Health and wellness Youth and elder engagement This feedback helped inform the project team of what the community would like to see at the grocery store. This information also informed the next community engagement meeting that took place in March 2023. During the March 2023 community engagement meetings the project team was able to meet with local artisans, elders, the steering committee, and Tribal Council Members. During these meetings, the project team deployed a survey via PowerPoint Polling technology asking questions related to: Phase 1 design Cultural appropriateness Design of outdoor and community spaces Follow-up to January concerns of entry/exit of market Level of excitement for each project element How the new space and business area will be utilized Preferred form of public engagement Art and sculptures for Phase 1 RFP or local contest In addition, part of the Project Team attended the local Bear Dance Event in June 2023 to provide updates to the community on the grocery store. The Project Team reported very valuable conversations with community members that are now in full support of the project. Additionalcommunity engagement activities are planned for July, August, and October 2023. Changes/Problems:There have been no major changes/problems during the last reporting period as the project team has been established and more individuals are added to the team as needed. The Project Team anticipates everything to move on schedule as they continue to advance activities and deliverables. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The team has started to bring Tribal Members into discussions and brainstorming for the facility/programming. Each of these events gets them ready to lead the charge on running this business. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Progress and results of the project are mainly disseminated to the community during public engagement meetings. During the March 2023 community engagement meeting a poll was conducted on various elements of the Phase 1 design. Once the poll was collected, results were shown to community members to gauge where everyone stands on the current design and aspects fo the market. The poll showed support by the community members for the Phase 1 design. In addition, the Project Team will be briefing the Tribal Council in July 2023 of the progress being made. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?During the next reporting period, the Project Team anticipates having the design at 100% complete and beginning construction. Community engagement will continue to take place regularly as the community is vital to receiving input as the project moves forward. In addition, FEED Towaoc will continue to foster the growth of small businesses within the region as the project team works with local businesses and artisans in development of Phase 1.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Goal 1: Team development has continued to evolve as Horrocks Engineers has now brought supply chain professionals to the team to assist in the development of the market. The project team coordinated to have a market study completed in June 2023 which showed the ideal size of the market for the best chance of success. In addition, the project team is continuing to develop a business plan to be completed by March 2024. The business plan is currently 40% complete. Goal 2: Design for the market is at 50% complete and is projected to be 100% complete by the end of June 2023. This market is made up of shipping containers where local businesses and community members can sell goods. This will encourage small businesses to launch comprised of local entrepreneurs. RFP documents are being compiled and will be advertised by the end of August 2023. Goal 3: As stated before, community engagement activities have continued to take place with two main engagement meetings in January and March 2023 as well as a smaller engagement in June 2023. There are plans to continue community engagement sessions in July, August, and October of 2023. In addition, the Farm and Ranch Enterprise as well as the UMUT Casino are engaged in the project to strengthen the food system within Towaoc.
Publications
|
Progress 09/01/21 to 08/31/22
Outputs
Target Audience:A community engagement session took place on September 29, 2022 to update the community on the current progress being made on the UMUT Grocery Store project. Part of the project team traveled to Colorado so that they could meet face to face with community members who will benefit from the future grocery store. Changes/Problems:As noted before, due to unforeseen changes with the original contractor, THRIVEPartners, the project was halted due to the need to rebuild the project team. Beginning in September 2022, UMUT coordinated with Horrocks Engineers to rebuild the administrative team. This transition is now complete with a full team of professionals that will ensure the project activities and deliverables are advancing with all diligence. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The FY 2022 Directors Meeting provided by USDA NIFA CFP provided an opportunity for the project team to get more familiar with NIFA any requirements for this project. It also provided an opportunity to share our project with others as well as learn about other projects around the world that NIFA is supporting. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?As reported previously, there was a community outreach meeting that was held on September 29, 2022. This meeting was to update the community of work on the current UMUT Grocery Store Project as well as get input on activities moving forward. Another community engagement meeting will take place on January 9-10, 2023. Activities are underway to make this community outreach productive and allow for UMUT community members to provide input into the project design. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?The project team plans to continue working with the community and essential project partners to finalize the design and construction of the UMUT Grocery Store, In addition, the project team will begin planning and designing the Native food-business incubator and accelerator program (FEED Towaoc) to foster the launch and growth of small businesses within the Towaoc region. Finally, work will be done to strengthen relationships with the Farm and Ranch Enterprise and other community food systems in the region to engage these individuals in the project moving forward.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Goal 1: During the past year, theproject team has been re-established. Beginning in September 2022, UMUT coordinated with Horrocks Engineers to rebuild the administrative team given the departureof our previous contractor, THRIVE Partners. The transition is now complete with a full team of professionals that will ensure the project activities and deliverables are advancing with all diligence. The new team is comprised of Hillary Fulton, Hopeful Consulting; Beverly Santicola, Santicola & Company; Brian Cole, Building Communities; Bailey Anderson, Building Communities; Heather McDaniel, Horrocks Engineers; Kate Kowalski, Horrocks Engineers, and Tim Reinin, Reinin Consulting. In addition, the professional team from UMUT is actively engaged with the project. This includes Chairman Manuel Heart, Director of Planning & Community Development Bernadette Cuthair, and Grants & Contracts Coordinator Patrick Littlebear. Goal 3:Community engagement activities are underway including a two-day public outreach scheduled for January 9 and 10, 2023. Community engagement will allow UMUT members to provide input into the project design. The project team will also be meeting with the Farm and Ranch Tribal Enterprise to continue to build that relationship in order to strengthen the community food system in Towaoc, the surrounding region, and the Native-country.
Publications
|
|