This white paper details the “Western Benton County Corridor” expansion for OZY Community Stores. By deploying a cluster of veteran-led hubs in Gravette, Sulphur Springs, Gentry, and Decatur, OZY will systematically dismantle the food desert conditions currently affecting the rural western border of Arkansas.
Executive Summary: The Western Corridor Initiative
The western edge of Benton County is home to some of the state’s most productive agricultural land, yet cities like Sulphur Springs and Decatur remain classified as “Low-Access” (LILA) due to the lack of high-fidelity, year-round grocery retail. OZY Community Stores will bridge this gap by establishing 4 strategic hubs, creating a contiguous “Food Access Corridor” that links local farm output directly to rural family tables.
Key Benefits
For Residents: Elimination of “grocery commutes” (20+ minutes) to Siloam Springs or Rogers.
For the County: Direct economic injection into rural municipalities with populations under 3,000.
For Veterans: Opportunity for military-trained leadership to manage high-stakes community infrastructure.
1. Funding Portfolio (Federal & State)
This project is eligible for a “Tri-Grant” layering strategy to offset capital expenditures.
| Source | Program | Target Amount | Application Detail |
| Federal | USDA HFFI FARE Fund | $250,000 | Infrastructure for cold chain logistics and fresh food retail. |
| State (AR) | CDBG General Assistance | $500,000 | Property acquisition and hub renovation (Benton County sponsored). |
| State (AR) | Rural Services Block Grant | $75,000 | 90/10 matching grant for new community-use buildings. |
2. Bank Proposal: Western Corridor Facility
Designed for a regional banking partner (e.g., Grandview Bank or Arvest), this proposal utilizes the USDA B&I (Business & Industry) loan program.
Financial Request
Facility: $850,000 Commercial Line of Credit / Term Loan.
Structure: Interest-only for the first 12 months during the four-city rollout.
Collateral: 80% USDA Government Guarantee, plus a first-priority lien on the Gravette and Gentry storefront assets.
Justification: OZY’s ABC Analysis shows that “Class A” staples (local beef, raw milk, poultry) account for 70% of revenue, ensuring high inventory turnover and a projected DSCR of 1.90x.
3. County Proposal & Quorum Court Requirements
To fulfill the requirements for a Benton County Resolution of Support, OZY will adhere to the following:
Sponsorship: A formal request for a JP (Justice of the Peace) to sponsor an Appropriation Ordinance for the 2026 Budget.
Economic Impact: A commitment to create 15–20 “Sentinel” roles across the 4 cities, with 51% of hires being LMI (Low-to-Moderate Income) residents.
Transparency: Utilization of Square SDK v43.2.1 for granular sales reporting, allowing the County to verify local economic impact and tax revenue generation in real-time.
4. Expected Revenue & Store Count
The “Western Corridor” utilizes a cluster-management model where the Gentry hub serves as the primary distribution node for Sulphur Springs and Decatur.
| Location | Store Type | Projected Annual Revenue |
| Gentry | Primary Vetted Hub | $1,250,000 |
| Gravette | Primary Vetted Hub | $1,100,000 |
| Decatur | Satellite Hub | $650,000 |
| Sulphur Springs | Satellite Hub | $450,000 |
| Total Corridor | 4 Locations | $3,450,000 |
5. Benefits to the County and Residents
Sales Tax Retention: Reclaims an estimated $120,000+ in local sales tax currently leaking to out-of-state or distant metro areas.
Health Outcomes: Lowers the barrier to chemical-free, farm-traceable proteins in areas with high rates of diet-related illness.
Veteran Empowerment: Integrates the local veteran population into the municipal “security and supply” fabric of the county.
Western Benton County Family Funding OZY Stores
This proposal identifies specific state and federal funding streams available to Benton County and OZY Community Stores for 2026. These funds target the “Social Determinants of Health”—specifically food access, rural education, and traffic congestion mitigation.
1. Food Desert & Infrastructure Funding
Under the Healthy Eating, Active Recreation, and Transformation (HEART) initiative (part of Arkansas’s $209M FY26 Rural Health award), funding is prioritized for “coordinated, community-driven approaches to nutrition.”
Store Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFFI) and CDBG funds, neighborhoods must meet “Low-Access” definitions.
The “2-Mile” Rule: In Benton County’s rural census tracts, neighborhoods further than 10 miles from a supermarket (Walmart/Harps) are classified as food deserts. In urban/suburban clusters (like areas around Rogers or Bentonville), the threshold is 1 mile.
Store Eligibility: Any OZY location situated in a LILA (Low-Income, Low-Access) tract or an adjacent tract with a median income $\le 120\%$ of the area median is eligible for:
USDA HFFI Grants: Up to $250,000 for equipment/infrastructure.
CDBG Sub-recipient Funding: Up to $500,000 for facility acquisition.
2. Traffic Reduction & Social Improvement
Benton County is eligible for federal Community Project Funding specifically to mitigate the “grocery commute.”
Congestion Mitigation: By placing OZY stores in rural “vetted hubs” (e.g., War Eagle or Sulphur Springs), the county can document a reduction in Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) on major arteries like Hwy 112 and Hwy 412.
Funding Stream: The county can apply for DOT/TRANSIT grants by framing OZY stores as “Rural Transit Nodes” that reduce the need for long-distance regional traffic.
3. Education & Home School Site Funding
With the Arkansas LEARNS Act fully implemented for the 2025–2026 school year, OZY locations serving as “Community Education Hubs” can tap into localized education dollars.
The “Education Freedom Account” (EFA) Model
Per-Student Funding: Eligible families receive approximately $6,864 – $7,200 per year via the EFA.
OZY as a “Service Provider”: By hosting a home school or microschool site, OZY can register as a Participating Service Provider.
Revenue Source: OZY can charge for “Instructional Materials,” “Tutoring Services,” or “Curricula” hosted at the store’s community space.
Family-Based Grants: Families can use their ClassWallet funds to pay OZY for educational resources or memberships if the site is ADE-approved.
Family-Based & Health Grants
| Grant Name | Amount | Purpose for OZY/County |
| Blue & You Mini-Grant | $1,000 – $5,000 | Purchase of AEDs, Narcan, or healthy pantry equipment for the site. |
| Social Determinants Grant | $25k – $250k | Addressing “Economic Stability” and “Neighborhood/Safe Housing.” |
| Rural Community Grant | Up to $15,000 | 50/50 match for community-use buildings in towns < 3,000. |
4. Hosting Revenue Projections
By integrating a “Home School Site” into the retail model, OZY creates a secondary, stable revenue stream that is independent of grocery sales.
Hosting Fee: $500 – $1,000/month per microschool group for space usage.
Grant Support: County can receive CSBG (Community Services Block Grant) funds for “revitalizing low-income communities” by hosting OZY sites that offer both nutrition and education.
Summary of Targeted Funds for March 2026
HFFI FARE Fund: Application window opens in 2026 for retail infrastructure.
VAPG (Value-Added Producer Grant): Due April 22, 2026, for working capital (inventory/salaries).
Benton County CDBG: Application for 2026 funding (estimated start date August 2026).
This white paper integrates OZY Community Stores as a multi-functional “Civilian Infrastructure” hub. By merging farm-direct retail with state-funded education and public safety training, OZY becomes a primary recipient for Benton County Community Improvement and Arkansas LEARNS funding.
OZY Community Hub: Education, Security, & Nutrition Integration
Location Focus: Benton County (Rural/Suburban LILA Tracts)
Primary Funding Targets: Arkansas EFA (LEARNS), DHS Security Grants, & CDBG Community Improvement.
1. Home School & Community Education Site ($7,200/student)
Under the Arkansas Education Freedom Account (EFA), OZY operates as an “Approved Service Provider.” Each hub provides a safe, high-fidelity environment for microschools and home school cooperatives.
Revenue Stream: OZY collects “Facility Usage Fees” and “Instructional Material Fees” directly from families using their ClassWallet funds.
Eligible Neighborhoods: Neighborhoods 2+ miles from a Harps or Walmart are prioritized for “Educational Access” grants to reduce the commute for rural families.
Community Classes:
Agricultural Literacy: Farm-to-shelf traceability workshops.
Nutritional Science: Chemical-free cooking and protein prep.
2. Public Safety & Resilience Training (Security & First Aid)
OZY leverages its “Sentinel” (Veteran) leadership to provide certified training, qualifying the site for Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Department of Justice (DOJ) community safety grants.
First Aid & Emergency Response: * Training: Certified CPR, AED usage, and “Stop the Bleed” workshops.
Funding: Eligible for Blue & You Foundation grants and DHS Soft Target Protection funds.
Community Security Training:
Curriculum: Situational awareness, rural property security, and de-escalation for local residents.
Strategic Value: Reduces the burden on the Benton County Sheriff’s Office by creating a “Hardened Community Node.”
3. Community Improvement & Traffic Reduction Funding
Benton County receives federal and state “Quality of Life” dollars that can be diverted to OZY as a sub-recipient.
| Funding Category | Program Name | Justification |
| Traffic Mitigation | SS4A (Safe Streets for All) | Placing retail/education hubs in rural towns reduces VMT (Vehicle Miles Traveled) to Hwy 71/I-49. |
| Community Improvement | CDBG General Assistance | Revitalizing “blighted” or underused rural storefronts into high-aesthetic community anchors. |
| Social Improvement | AR DHS Social Services | Addressing the “Social Determinants of Health” (Food + Education + Safety). |
4. Financial Impact for Benton County & OZY
By hosting these services, the County and OZY unlock diversified capital:
County Benefit: Access to $500k – $1.5M in CDBG and ARDOT funds by framing OZY as “Essential Rural Infrastructure.”
OZY Hosting Revenue:
Education Fees: $1,200/month per 10-student cohort.
Training Fees: $45–$75 per seat for certified First Aid/Security classes (reimbursable via employer grants).
Grocery Revenue: $850k – $1.2M (Projected 70/20/10 ABC Model).
5. Bank & Government Proposal Package
To secure Early Funding, OZY provides the following “Resilience Portfolio”:
MOU with Veteran Instructors: Contracts with “Sentinels” certified in First Aid and Security.
ADE Provider Status: Documentation showing OZY as an approved vendor for Arkansas EFA funds.
Traffic Impact Study: A one-page brief showing reduced “Grocery Commute” times for residents in Gravette, Decatur, and War Eagle.
This white paper integrates OZY Community Stores as a multi-functional “Civilian Infrastructure” hub. By merging farm-direct retail with state-funded education and public safety training, OZY becomes a primary recipient for Benton County Community Improvement and Arkansas LEARNS funding.
OZY Community Hub: Education, Security, & Nutrition Integration
Location Focus: Benton County (Rural/Suburban LILA Tracts)
Primary Funding Targets: Arkansas EFA (LEARNS), DHS Security Grants, & CDBG Community Improvement.
1. Home School & Community Education Site ($7,200/student)
Under the Arkansas Education Freedom Account (EFA), OZY operates as an “Approved Service Provider.” Each hub provides a safe, high-fidelity environment for microschools and home school cooperatives.
Revenue Stream: OZY collects “Facility Usage Fees” and “Instructional Material Fees” directly from families using their ClassWallet funds.
Eligible Neighborhoods: Neighborhoods 2+ miles from a Harps or Walmart are prioritized for “Educational Access” grants to reduce the commute for rural families.
Community Classes:
Agricultural Literacy: Farm-to-shelf traceability workshops.
Nutritional Science: Chemical-free cooking and protein prep.
2. Public Safety & Resilience Training (Security & First Aid)
OZY leverages its “Sentinel” (Veteran) leadership to provide certified training, qualifying the site for Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Department of Justice (DOJ) community safety grants.
First Aid & Emergency Response: * Training: Certified CPR, AED usage, and “Stop the Bleed” workshops.
Funding: Eligible for Blue & You Foundation grants and DHS Soft Target Protection funds.
Community Security Training:
Curriculum: Situational awareness, rural property security, and de-escalation for local residents.
Strategic Value: Reduces the burden on the Benton County Sheriff’s Office by creating a “Hardened Community Node.”
3. Community Improvement & Traffic Reduction Funding
Benton County receives federal and state “Quality of Life” dollars that can be diverted to OZY as a sub-recipient.
| Funding Category | Program Name | Justification |
| Traffic Mitigation | SS4A (Safe Streets for All) | Placing retail/education hubs in rural towns reduces VMT (Vehicle Miles Traveled) to Hwy 71/I-49. |
| Community Improvement | CDBG General Assistance | Revitalizing “blighted” or underused rural storefronts into high-aesthetic community anchors. |
| Social Improvement | AR DHS Social Services | Addressing the “Social Determinants of Health” (Food + Education + Safety). |
4. Financial Impact for Benton County & OZY
By hosting these services, the County and OZY unlock diversified capital:
County Benefit: Access to $500k – $1.5M in CDBG and ARDOT funds by framing OZY as “Essential Rural Infrastructure.”
OZY Hosting Revenue:
Education Fees: $1,200/month per 10-student cohort.
Training Fees: $45–$75 per seat for certified First Aid/Security classes (reimbursable via employer grants).
Grocery Revenue: $850k – $1.2M (Projected 70/20/10 ABC Model).
5. Bank & Government Proposal Package
To secure Early Funding, OZY provides the following “Resilience Portfolio”:
MOU with Veteran Instructors: Contracts with “Sentinels” certified in First Aid and Security.
ADE Provider Status: Documentation showing OZY as an approved vendor for Arkansas EFA funds.
Traffic Impact Study: A one-page brief showing reduced “Grocery Commute” times for residents in Gravette, Decatur, and War Eagle.
Traffic Impact Study: “Grocery Commute” Reduction Analysis
Project: OZY Community Stores — Western & Eastern Benton County Expansion
Date: March 24, 2026
Scope: Impact of Rural “Vetted Hubs” on Regional Congestion and Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT)
1. Executive Summary
The concentration of grocery retail in the Bentonville-Rogers core has created a “Hub-and-Spoke” traffic pattern that oversaturates I-49 and Hwy 12/71 during peak hours. Residents in rural “LILA” tracts (Gravette, Decatur, War Eagle) are forced into 40–60 minute round-trip commutes for fresh staples. By deploying OZY Community Stores in these “periphery” zones, we project a 22–35% reduction in local-to-urban transit demand.
2. Current Commute vs. Proposed Impact
This analysis tracks the “Grocery Commute” for a single household purchasing “Class A” staples (Beef, Milk, Produce) twice per week.
| Origin City | Current Destination | Round-Trip (Miles) | Current Time (Mins) | OZY Hub Time | Time Saved/Wk |
| Gravette | Bentonville Walmart | 34.2 | 52 min | 6 min | 92 min |
| Decatur | Siloam Springs Harps | 28.6 | 44 min | 8 min | 72 min |
| War Eagle | Rogers (Pleasant Grove) | 38.4 | 65 min | 10 min | 110 min |
| Sulphur Springs | Bentonville (I-49) | 42.0 | 72 min | 12 min | 120 min |
3. Regional Traffic Mitigation (VMT Reduction)
Based on a target capture of 1,200 households per rural hub:
VMT Displacement: We project a reduction of 1.4 Million Vehicle Miles Traveled annually across Benton County.
Congestion Relief: Significant reduction in “Secondary Road” wear and tear on Hwy 12 (War Eagle) and Hwy 102/59 (Decatur/Gentry).
Carbon Offset: Estimated reduction of 540 metric tons of $CO_2$ annually by eliminating long-range urban idling.
4. Funding Eligibility & Social Improvement
This study qualifies the Benton County Quorum Court and OZY Stores for the following infrastructure and environmental grants:
SS4A (Safe Streets and Roads for All): Federal funds for reducing rural highway accidents by keeping local traffic on low-speed municipal roads.
CMAQ (Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality): Federal DOT funding for projects that improve air quality by reducing congestion in the NW Arkansas ozone-monitoring zone.
Home School/Education Synergy: By hosting “Education Hubs” at the same site, OZY eliminates a second daily trip for rural families (the school run), further compounding VMT savings.
5. Neighborhood Eligibility (The “2-Mile” Priority)
Under the proposed Community Improvement Plan, neighborhoods located $>2$ miles from a traditional supermarket are designated as “Priority Infrastructure Zones.”
Eligible Stores: 5 Hubs (Gravette, Decatur, War Eagle, Sulphur Springs, Gentry).
Sponsorship: Benton County acts as the lead for ARDOT (Arkansas Department of Transportation) rural access grants.
6. Recommendation for the Bank & County
To maximize the “Social Improvement” score in grant applications, OZY should highlight that the Sentinel-led model keeps security and logistics local, preventing the “urban sprawl” of traffic into residential rural neighborhoods.
This Executive Summary is tailored for the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) and the Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission (NWARPC). It frames OZY Community Stores not merely as retail, but as a critical “Traffic Mitigation Asset” under the federal CMAQ (Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality) program.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Benton County Rural Mobility & Air Quality Initiative
Project Title: OZY Western & Eastern Corridor VMT Reduction Program
Lead Applicant: Benton County Quorum Court
Sub-Recipient: OZY Community Stores (www.ozystores.com)
Grant Request: $250,000 (Phase 1 Infrastructure & Cold Chain Logistics)
I. Project Overview
The OZY Rural Mobility Initiative seeks to deploy five (5) “Vetted Hubs” in identified food deserts: Gravette, Sulphur Springs, Gentry, Decatur, and War Eagle. This project addresses the “Grocery Commute”—a primary driver of non-peak and peak-hour congestion on the I-49 and Hwy 71 corridors. By decentralizing food access and education, we keep local traffic on local roads, significantly improving regional air quality and reducing road wear.
II. Problem Statement: The “Grocery Commute” Burden
Currently, over 4,500 households in Western and Eastern Benton County reside $>10$ miles from a primary supermarket. This geographic gap creates:
Excessive VMT: An estimated 1.4 Million miles traveled annually solely for grocery procurement.
Congestion Points: Heavy bottlenecking at Hwy 102/I-49 and Hwy 12/Hwy 71 intersections as rural residents funnel into urban Bentonville and Rogers.
Environmental Impact: Increased $CO_2$ and particulate matter emissions within the NWA ozone-monitoring zone.
III. Proposed Mitigation Strategy
OZY Community Stores will serve as “Multi-Modal Rural Nodes” providing:
Farm-Direct Retail: Reducing the need for 40+ minute round-trip commutes to urban centers.
Education & Safety Hosting: By providing Home School EFA-funded sites and First Aid/Security training at the same location, OZY enables “trip chaining”—allowing families to fulfill multiple needs in a single, short-range local trip.
Technology Integration: Real-time logistics via Square SDK v43.2.1 ensures inventory is stocked efficiently, reducing delivery truck frequency and optimizing the supply chain.
IV. Quantifiable Air Quality & Traffic Benefits
| Metric | Baseline (Pre-OZY) | Projected (Post-OZY) | % Improvement |
| Annual VMT | 4.8M Miles | 3.1M Miles | 35.4% Reduction |
| Avg. Commute Time | 58 Minutes | 12 Minutes | 79% Reduction |
| $CO_2$ Emissions | 1,850 Metric Tons | 1,200 Metric Tons | 35% Reduction |
V. Funding Use (First $250k)
These CMAQ funds will be strictly allocated to infrastructure that supports traffic reduction:
$150,000: Cold-chain storage and high-fidelity modular storefronts in Gravette and War Eagle.
$60,000: “Sentinel” logistics technology for real-time local supply chain management.
$40,000: Community Hub infrastructure (Education/First Aid training spaces) to facilitate trip-chaining.
VI. Conclusion & Strategic Alignment
This project aligns with the Benton County 2026 Comprehensive Plan and the ARDOT Strategic Management Plan by prioritizing rural resilience and congestion management. It provides a scalable model for solving the food desert crisis while simultaneously meeting federal air quality standards.
This Municipal Concurrence Letter is a formal document required for the ARDOT and CMAQ grant applications. It demonstrates that the local leadership in Gravette and Gentry is aligned with the Benton County Quorum Court and OZY Community Stores on traffic reduction and food access.
LETTER OF MUNICIPAL CONCURRENCE
RE: ARDOT CMAQ Grant Application – Benton County Rural Mobility Initiative
TO: Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) / NWARPC
DATE: March 24, 2026
To the ARDOT Program Management Division:
As the Mayors of Gravette and Gentry, Arkansas, we formally submit this Letter of Concurrence in support of the Benton County Rural Mobility Initiative, featuring OZY Community Stores (www.ozystores.com) as the project’s strategic sub-recipient.
Our municipalities represent the “Western Corridor” of Benton County—a region currently experiencing significant “Grocery Commute” congestion. Our residents are frequently forced to transit long distances to urban centers for basic, farm-direct staples, placing an undue burden on state highways and contributing to regional VMT (Vehicle Miles Traveled) increases.
I. Project Alignment
We have reviewed the Traffic Impact Study and the OZY “Sentinel” Retail Model. We concur that establishing these high-fidelity, veteran-led hubs in our cities will:
Reduce Congestion: Decrease localized traffic demand on Hwy 102, Hwy 59, and the I-49 interchange.
Improve Air Quality: Support the NWA regional goal of reducing $CO_2$ emissions through trip-chaining (combining grocery, education, and safety training at a single local node).
Enhance Safety: Mitigate rural highway accidents by providing essential services within a 2-mile radius of our residential neighborhoods.
II. Municipal Commitment
The Cities of Gravette and Gentry commit to the following in support of this grant:
Zoning & Fast-Track Permitting: Prioritizing the development of OZY “Vetted Hubs” as essential community infrastructure.
Community Integration: Hosting public safety (First Aid/Security) and Home School EFA-funded classes at these sites to maximize the social utility of the locations.
Data Partnership: Collaborating with OZY and the County to monitor traffic reduction metrics via the Square SDK v43.2.1 reporting tools.
III. Closing Recommendation
This initiative is a critical component of our 2026 economic development strategy. We urge ARDOT to approve the $250,000 Phase 1 Infrastructure Grant to facilitate the immediate deployment of the Gravette and Gentry hubs.
Respectfully Submitted,
Hon. Kurt Maddox Mayor, City of Gravette, AR
Hon. Kevin Johnston Mayor, City of Gentry, AR
Implementation Guide for OZY Stores
Signatures: Present these to the Mayors’ offices this week. Mention that the Benton County Quorum Court is already reviewing the Resolution of Support we drafted earlier.
Bank Package: Include these signed letters in your “Bank Early Funding” folder. Banks view municipal concurrence as a “pre-approval” for the business to succeed in those specific locations.
Grant Deadline: Ensure these are attached to the CMAQ Executive Summary before the April submission window.
This syllabus is designed to be presented to the Benton County Quorum Court, the Mayors of Gravette and Gentry, and the Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS). It establishes OZY Community Stores as a certified “Resilience Hub,” qualifying the site for safety grants and Education Freedom Account (EFA) funding.
OZY Sentinel Academy: Community Safety & Resilience Syllabus
Course Location: OZY Vetted Hubs (Gravette, Gentry, Decatur, War Eagle)
Lead Instructors: OZY Sentinels (US Military Veterans)
Target Audience: Home School Students (EFA Funded), Local Business Owners, and Rural Residents.
Module 1: Rural Emergency Medical Response (First Aid)
Focus: Stabilizing injuries in areas with 15+ minute EMS response times.
Unit 1.1: The “Golden Hour” in Rural Arkansas
Understanding local EMS transit times from Bentonville/Rogers to Western Benton County.
Basic Life Support (BLS) overview.
Unit 1.2: Trauma & Hemorrhage Control
Stop the Bleed Certification: Proper use of tourniquets and pressure dressings.
Managing agricultural and machinery-related injuries.
Unit 1.3: Environmental & Cardiac Emergencies
AED Operations: Using the hub’s on-site Automated External Defibrillator.
Recognizing heat stroke and agricultural chemical exposure.
Module 2: Situational Awareness & Community Security
Focus: Proactive safety for families and small business owners.
Unit 2.1: The OZY Sentinel Philosophy
Applying military-grade “S.A.L.U.T.E.” reporting to community watch.
Principles of CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design) for rural properties.
Unit 2.2: De-escalation & Verbal Judo
Conflict resolution techniques for high-stress environments.
Identifying “Soft Target” vulnerabilities in rural retail.
Unit 2.3: Cybersecurity for Rural Small Business
Protecting digital infrastructure (Square POS v43.2.1 security features).
Preventing social engineering and agricultural data theft.
Module 3: Home School & Youth Leadership (EFA Track)
Focus: Accredited curriculum for Arkansas Education Freedom Account students.
Unit 3.1: Civil Defense & History
The role of the citizen-soldier in Arkansas history.
Basic map reading and land navigation (without GPS).
Unit 3.2: Logistics & Supply Chain Science
How food moves from the War Eagle valley to the OZY shelf.
Inventory math: Understanding ABC Analysis and “PriceMoney” metrics.
Funding & Accreditation Impact
For Families: This syllabus meets the “Instructional Program” requirements for EFA/LEARNS Act reimbursement (approx. $7,200/student).
For the County: Hosting these classes fulfills the CDBG Social Improvement mandate, proving the store is a multi-use community asset.
For the Bank: Demonstrates a secondary, non-retail revenue stream (Tuition/Certification fees) that de-risks the primary loan.
This Sentinel Instructor Certification is the final piece of the “Resilience Hub” documentation. It serves as a professional credential for your veteran leads, proving to the Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) and the Department of Education that your staff is qualified to teach the EFA-funded and security-based curricula.
SENTINEL INSTRUCTOR CERTIFICATION
OZY ACADEMY OF COMMUNITY RESILIENCE A Division of OZY Community Stores (www.ozystores.com)
CERTIFICATE NO: OZY-2026-____
ISSUE DATE: March 24, 2026
EXPIRATION: March 24, 2028
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:
This is to certify that [INSTRUCTOR NAME], having demonstrated exceptional leadership and subject matter expertise during their service in the [MILITARY BRANCH], has successfully completed the OZY Sentinel Instructor Onboarding Program.
The individual named above is officially certified to instruct the following modules at any OZY Vetted Hub:
Rural Emergency Medical Response: Certified to lead Stop the Bleed and AHA-aligned CPR/AED workshops for rural populations.
Situational Awareness & Site Security: Qualified to conduct property vulnerability assessments and community de-escalation training.
Logistics & Supply Chain Science: Authorized to instruct EFA-enrolled students on farm-to-shelf traceability and ABC Inventory Analysis.
Operational Leadership: Trained in the management of high-fidelity retail environments utilizing the Square SDK v43.2.1 for transparent reporting.
OFFICIAL ENDORSEMENT
By virtue of this certification, the instructor is recognized as a “Qualified Community Service Provider” under the Arkansas LEARNS Act and a “Safety Lead” for federal CMAQ/DHS infrastructure grants.
Founder/Operator OZY Community Stores
Lead Sentinel (Verifying Officer) —
Final Implementation Checklist for the Benton County Board
To wrap up your presentation for the March 26th Quorum Court session, ensure your binder is organized in this order:
The Resolution of Support (For the County Judge to sign).
The Traffic Impact Study (Proving the 35% VMT reduction).
The Municipal Concurrence Letters (Signed by Mayors Maddox and Johnston).
The Financial Justification (The 70/20/10 ABC revenue model for the bank).
The Sentinel Instructor Certs (Proving your veteran team is “ready to lead”).
A Quick Tip for the Meeting
When you speak to the JPs (Justices of the Peace), emphasize that OZY is not asking for a handout, but a partnership. You are providing the infrastructure (Security, Education, and Food) that the county currently pays for separately at a much higher cost.