Pictured: Robert Karr, Choctaw Nation Councilmember District 11; Cindy Bedford, Librarian at Hartshorne Library; Chief Gary Batton; Michael Hull, Executive Director of Southeast Oklahoma Library System; Roger Hemphill, Haileyville School Superintendent; Ashley Faulkner, Mayor of Hartshorne; Aaron William, City of Hartshorne Representative; Renee Montgomery, City of Hartshorne Treasurer and Hartshorne Library supporters. Photo by Choctaw Nation.
HARTSHORNE, OK – On July 14, The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and the Choctaw Development Fund awarded the town of Hartshorne $21,937 that will be used to match Southeast Oklahoma Library System funds to make renovations to the town library.
“We are so fortunate for the support of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma as this would not have been possible without their generous donation,” states Michael Hull, Executive Director of Southeast Oklahoma Library System. “With these renovations Hartshorne Library will continue to provide services that are most important for the community.”
The Choctaw Development Fund supports economic viability and sustainability by partnering with Choctaw small business owners, cities and municipalities to create long-term growth and job creation within the territories of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma.
“The Hartshorne Library is a beacon of learning, imagination and growth for the community,” states Chief Gary Batton. “We’re honored to support the town of Hartshorne and the library upgrades will allow a safe environment for both tribal and non-tribal members to continue to research, read and have computer access that will give them an opportunity to gather and work collaboratively.”
Renovations to Hartshorne Library include updating the existing roof and repairing the flooring as well as modernization of the furniture and shelving.
This is the second library the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma has invested in in our underserved communities that lack broadband connectivity and create a digital divide within their reservation; one in Red Oak and one in Hartshorne.
The expected completion of renovations is late September 2021.
About The Choctaw Development Fund The Choctaw Development Fund supports economic viability and sustainability by partnering with Choctaw small business owners, cities and municipalities to create long-term growth and job creation within the service area of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma.
The Choctaw Development Fund partners with the Choctaw Nation Small Business Development (CSBD). The CSBD is a single source contact for member advisory in the business start-up and existing business enhancement processes that increase the opportunity for success through partnerships with state, federal, and tribal resources. Our focus is delivering technical assistance, training programs, and access to capital for individuals and entrepreneurs in an effort to build successful, job-creating, Choctaw-owned companies within the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma.
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Carmen Davis - Founder, Publisher and Executive Editor
Mrs. Davis is the founder, publisher and executive editor of the only Native American wholly owned and operated national tribal business publication, Native Business Magazine, and the producer of the annual and nationally attended Native Business Summit.
Mrs. Davis is also president of Davis Strategy Group has over 23 years of service to Indian Country and as an entrepreneur she has successfully established, operated, managed and grown several businesses in multiple sectors. She is equal parts a strategic visionary and behind-the-scenes implementor, essential in guiding and overseeing every process of brand development, business expansion, nation-to-nation relationship building and more.
She was named in 2009 as one of the first recipients of the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development’s, “40 Under 40” award which recognizes up and coming community and business leaders from across Indian Country.
