Great Plains Enterprises
GPE is a not-for-profit corporation organized for the specific purpose of providing education, training and employment opportunities for the blind, disabled and the significantly disabled. Since its charter GPE has actively pursued business opportunities that furthered this purpose, creating new jobs for the disabled in Arizona, Oklahoma, Kentucky and Nevada, while fostering an environment that promoted success for both the employees and the customers.
Nellis AFB, NV
Fort Campbell, KY
Altus, OK
Yuma, AZ
Operations
Currently, GPE conducts business at Altus AFB, Altus Oklahoma, Yuma Marine Naval Air Station, Yuma Arizona, Fort Campbell, Fort Campbell Kentucky and Nellis Air Force Base Nevada.
The business processes consist of Commissary operations; shelf-stocking, warehousing and janitorial/custodial functions; laundry and dry cleaning functions. These business practices form the nexus of GPE; however, they represent only a small portion of its’ potential and future operations.
As GPE matures building upon success, the core business will expand to include numerous administrative functions. A complete list of potential core business practices is detailed below.
Administrative Services
Custodial Services
Assembly of Kits, Packets, Components
Laundry Services
Mailroom Services
Commissary Shelf Stocking and Warehousing
Medical Transcription
Data Entry
Operation of Call Centers
Database Management
Operation of Supply Centers
Full Food Service
Recycling
Food Service Attendants
Switchboard Operations
Grounds Maintenance
Warehouse/Storage/Distribution
General Support Services
Employment
Great Plains Enterprises seeks to provide a fantastic workplace for our employees. We are proud that over 80% of our workforce are individuals with a disability. Our culture is one of acceptance, opportunity, and safety.
About Ability One
The AbilityOne Program creates jobs and training opportunities for people who are blind or who have other severe disabilities, empowering them to lead more productive and independent lives. Its primary means of doing so is by requiring Government agencies to purchase selected products and services from nonprofit organizations employing such individuals.
Currently, the AbilityOne Program provides employment opportunities for more than 45,000 people who are blind or have other severe disabilities by orchestrating Government purchases of products and services provided by nonprofit agencies employing such individuals throughout the country.
In 1938, the Wagner-O’Day Act was passed under President Franklin D. Roosevelt to provide employment opportunities for people who are blind by allowing them to sell products to the Federal Government.
In 1971, under the leadership of Senator Jacob Javits, Congress amended this Act (41 U.S.C. 46-48c) to include people with severe disabilities and allow the Program to also provide services to the Federal Government. More than 60 years later, this extraordinary socioeconomic program provides Federal customers with a wide array of quality products and services, while providing thousands of people with severe disabilities employment opportunities and increased independence.
The Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled is the Federal agency that administers the Program. Through two Central Nonprofit Agencies, National Industries for the Blind and NISH-Creating Employment Opportunities for People with Severe Disabilities, the Committee currently works with more than 600 nonprofit agencies across the country, as well as in Puerto Rico and Guam, to provide employment opportunities to people who are blind or have other severe disabilities. The purchase of AbilityOne products and services by Federal customers helps battle the chronic 70 percent unemployment or underemployment rate faced by this untapped labor resource.
Visit AbilityOne’s Website for more information.