OKLAHOMA CITY –The City of Crescent (City) received approval for $1,000,000 in funding Tuesday from the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) to improve the City’s wastewater infrastructure. Construction of upgrades and improvements to the wastewater system will be financed by the Oklahoma American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant program.
The City owns and operates a sanitary sewer system that flows into a lagoon southwest of Crescent. The City has experienced an increase in population which will require a system expansion. These proceeds will be used to construct a new gravity sewer main, lift station, and force main to the City's lagoon.
Joe Freeman, chief of the OWRB’s Financial Assistance Division, calculated that the City’s customers will save an estimated $1,553,200 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 the Water and Wastewater American Rescue Plan Act grants program. This OWRB program has been structured to provide communities and other eligible entities with the financial resources necessary to address water and wastewater infrastructure needs within their systems. Since 1983 the Water Resources Board has approved over $7.1 billion in loans and grants for water and wastewater infrastructure improvements throughout Oklahoma.
“We are grateful to State Senator Chuck Hall and State Representative John Pfeiffer for their continued support of our financial assistance programs,” said Julie Cunningham, Executive Director of the OWRB.
“Congratulations to the City of Crescent on receiving a grant of ARPA funds from the OWRB for improvements to their sanitary sewer system. This is a most-deserving award,” said Senator Chuck Hall whose district includes Crescent and surrounding communities. “We all know that nothing grows without water and with their recent increase in population, Crescent is a fitting and proper use of our state’s ARPA funds. I appreciate the work of the OWRB director and board in approving the grant and look forward to the completion of the project.” Representative John Pfeiffer stated,” "I am excited that we are able to use the funds to upgrade infrastructure in Crescent. This investment will serve as a resource in Crescent's continued growth and allow them to expand into the future."
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Contact:
Joe Freeman
Oklahoma Water Resources Board
(405) 530-8800
Joe.Freeman@owrb.ok.gov
