Rural Economic Action Plan Grants

The OWRB’s Rural Economic Action Plan (REAP) Grant Program is a point-based grant designed to assist Oklahoma's rural communities with water and wastewater infrastructure projects promoting public health and safety.

While priority consideration is given to cities, towns, and municipalities with populations under 1,750 and rural water and/or sewer districts with fewer than 525 non-pasture taps, all eligible communities with populations of 7,000 or less and rural water and/or sewer districts with 2,100 or fewer non-pasture taps are encouraged to apply. Updates to the FY 2027 scoring structure have expanded funding opportunities for all eligible communities, allowing applicants to remain competitive for funding regardless of priority point status.

Applications are accepted from 12:00 a.m July 1 through 5:00 p.m. on the first working day of September each year. The application period for FY 2027 will close on September 1, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.

Entities must have a population of 7,000 or less
Maximum of $350,000 per project per applicant during fiscal year 2027 period
No local match required; additional points awarded if at least 15% provided

Counties, towns, and municipalities
Public works authorities
School districts
Districts formed under Title 82 of the State’s statutes as follows:
- Water conservancy districts
- Rural water districts
- Rural sewage districts
- Irrigation districts

Sewer line construction or repair and related storm or sanitary sewer projects
Water line construction or repair
Water treatment
Water acquisition
Distribution or recovery and related projects

Prepare supporting documentation:
- Trust indenture or organizational documents
- Authorizing resolution
- Rate Study
- Rate ordinance or minutes
- Fiscal Sustainability Plan
- Utilities Contract
- Consent Order (if applicable)
- Proof of additional funding (if applicable)
- Engineer's report & cost estimate
- Most recent audit or agreed upon procedures (must be within two fiscal years)
- Verification Form signed by the authorized signer and attorney
Complete the REAP Grant Application between July 1 and 5:00 p.m. on the first working day of September

Applications are ranked based on the following criteria:

Population (55 point maximum)
Rates & Study (10 points maximum)
Operational Cost Ratio (13 points maximum)
Local Participation (10 points maximum)
Adjusted Per Capita Income (10 points maximum)
Need/consent order (5 point maximum)
Amount of grant requested (7 point maximum)
Benefit to other systems (5 point maximum)
Fiscal Sustainability Plan (10 point maximum)
Previous grant assistance (points vary)
Workshop Attendance (5 points maximum)

Applications receiving 40 or more points will be placed on a project priority list and ranked from highest to lowest priority based on total points. Applications are recommended for approval to the Board when all other funding sources are secured and adequate grant funds are available for obligation.