Oklahoma Panhandle State University receives $163,840 grant for system improvements

OKLAHOMA CITY –The Oklahoma Panhandle State University (University) received approval for $163,840 in funding Tuesday from the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) to improve the University’s water infrastructure. Construction of upgrades and improvements to the water system will be financed by the Oklahoma American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant program.

The University’s water well and water lines that provide drinking water for students, staff, and visitors on campus is in need of repair to increase water pressure. These proceeds will be used to replace the existing water well and water lines with new high-quality line.

Joe Freeman, chief of the OWRB’s Financial Assistance Division, calculated that the University’s savings will be an estimated $273,740.00 compared to traditional financing.

The ARPA grant program is administered by the OWRB with funding from the U.S. Department of the Treasury and appropriated through for the Water and Wastewater American Rescue Plan Act grants program. This OWRB program has been structured to provide communities and other eligible entities financial resources necessary to address water and wastewater infrastructure needs within their systems. Since 1983 the Water Resources Board has approved over $6.8 billion in loans and grants for water and wastewater infrastructure improvements throughout Oklahoma.

“We are grateful to State Senator Casey Murdock and State Representative Kenton Patzkowsky for their continued support of our financial assistance programs,” said Julie Cunningham, Executive Director of the OWRB.

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Contact:
Joe Freeman
Oklahoma Water
Resources Board
(405) 530-8800
Joe.Freeman@owrb.ok.gov