Muskogee County

PROJECT PURPOSE

Muskogee County is seeking $450,000 in ARPA funds to replace our outdated Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning system in the County Jail. In the midst of the pandemic we were forced to spend $60,000 in repairs in order to make the system functional, but the condition of the entire HVAC system is critical and suffers repeated failures. The Muskogee County Jail, like nearly every correctional facility in the State of Oklahoma, suffered numerous outbreaks of COVID-19 through the pandemic. The already crowded facility was especially susceptible to COVID spread because of the insufficient HVAC system in place. This project would better serve the jail staff, administration, and prisoners in providing safe, clean air.

EVIDENCE

The failures of the outdated HVAC system at Muskogee County Jail required $60,000 in repairs during the pandemic and contributed to numerous outbreaks of infections for staff and prisoners. A new system would mitigate future repair costs and provide a safer working environment.

POPULATION DESCRIPTION

Correctional facilities were especially impacted by the pandemic because of the restricted space and movement inherent to their design. Both staff and prisoners suffered greatly as a result. Muskogee County Jail functions daily at capacity and its unreliable HVAC system contributed to virus spread through the pandemic. Muskogee County itself (67,000) has been designated as a StrikeZone by the USDA because of its high poverty rate (21%) and its many economic disparities and challenges. The damage from the historic 2019 flood along with the reduced tax income resulting from the pandemic has had a dramatic impact on our community. Muskogee County is a poor, diverse and rural population that has been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic due to restricted access to health services and socioeconomic challenges resulting from inadequate infrastructure, limited economic development opportunities, inconsistent broadband access, and access to employment. In addition to chronic poverty, other vulnerable populations include the elderly, children, and minorities. A study by the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America released in Jan. 2021 revealed that the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on rural populations have been severe, with significant negative impacts on unemployment, overall life satisfaction, mental health, and economic outlook. Often rural residents have fewer individual resources, access to services and, on average, are poorer and less educated. The residents and businesses of Muskogee County request assistance to remediate these issues for future growth and sustainability.

PERFORMANCE MEASURING

Project performance for the replacement of the Muskogee County HVAC system will be measured by the completion of the project according to schedule and within the established budget.

ONGOING INVESTMENT AMOUNT

$

ONGOING INVESTMENT DESCRIPTION

None

ONGOING INVESTMENT REQUIRED

One-time project will not need continued funding