City of Tulsa - Rogers County Port Authority

PROJECT PURPOSE

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed vulnerabilities in global supply chain networks creating major challenges and unforeseen problems in Oklahoma?s state and tribal food supply networks, health and human services sector, and manufacturing industries. Unprecedented congestion at large-scale distribution hubs brought on by a continuous buildup of international and domestic shipping containers and the inability to efficiently deliver products and supplies to their destination is the contributing factor to ongoing supply chain disruptions. The disruption is causing store shelves almost empty, prompting concerns about food shortages, and highlighted the need for greater resiliency in supply chain networks. Working with the private sector to address these challenges, the proposed project will construct needed multimodal railroad infrastructure at the Tulsa Port of Catoosa to facilitate an intermediate stop along a domestic shipping network to mitigate ongoing and future supply chain challenges. The project?s purpose is to reduce ?last mile? shipments via truck to relieve stresses at large-scale distribution hubs, increase capacity, and make shipping networks more reliable and resilient. Designed to relieve approximately 12,000 containers from major distribution centers, the project ensures that needed goods and supplies can be efficiently delivered to Oklahoma communities in a more timely manner

EVIDENCE

This project has been validated by the White House Supply Chain Task Force in their June 2021 report, as well as "Supply chain disruptions and resilience: a major review and future research agenda" (K. Katsaliaki, P. Galetsi & S. Kumar). In addition, a wealth of anecdotal evidence through the Port Authority's own customer base and partnerships has validated that this investment should be made.

POPULATION DESCRIPTION

The use of the funding directed towards the construction of the proposed project addresses equitable outcomes in a meaningful way by mitigating interruptions in Oklahoma?s food supply networks, for example, that impact Tribal, rural, and food desert communities. Low population density and high poverty rates in many tribal areas put Native American residents living on tribal lands at a disadvantage when it comes to accessing affordable, healthy food, according to the USDA. The same realities exist in rural areas that are not on Tribal lands. Most agriculture products in the U.S. travel through an intricate web of transport and processing routes. Supply chain networks that serve Oklahoma?s needs for agricultural and food products lack redundancy and place limits on the resiliency of these food delivery systems. As a result, the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have for over a year left store shelves empty and prompted concerns about long-term food shortages.

PERFORMANCE MEASURING

To produce high-quality infrastructure, avert disruptive and costly delays, and promote efficiency as requested by the U.S. Treasury Department guidance, The City of Tulsa ? Rogers County Port Authority and City of Inola will: 1. Implement procedures and metrics for federal and state bid-law requirements. 2. Invest in a project advertisement strategy for construction services to promote local employment and supplier diversity. 3. Set expectations for contractors and subcontractors to adhere to State and Federal fair labor standards. 4. Provide public transparency and measurement on project costs and progress through monthly meetings of the Port Authority board and City Council.

ONGOING INVESTMENT AMOUNT

$

ONGOING INVESTMENT DESCRIPTION

None

ONGOING INVESTMENT REQUIRED

Able to continue operation without additional funding from the State of Oklahoma