Town of Vernon receives $1,153,846 grant for stormwater system improvements
OKLAHOMA CITY –The Town of Vernon (Town) received approval for $1,153,846 in funding Tuesday from the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) to improve the City’s stormwater infrastructure. Construction of upgrades and improvements to the stormwater system will be financed by the Oklahoma American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant program.
The Town has an issue with stormwater drainage. The Town’s roads tend to flood during high rain events. To address the drainage issue, the proposed project is to raise the road in the four high flood areas to prevent pollutants from entering Mill Creek due to erosion.
Joe Freeman, chief of the OWRB’s Financial Assistance Division, calculated that the Town’s customers will save an estimated $1,778,800 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 $7.4 billion in loans and grants for water and wastewater infrastructure improvements throughout Oklahoma.
“We are grateful to State Senator Roger Thompson and State Representative Randy Randleman for their continued support of our financial assistance programs,” said Julie Cunningham, Executive Director of the OWRB.
“There are times in our history when we are blessed to be a part of a life changing moment in time. This is truly one of those moments in time. To witness the historic investment in the underserved towns of Clearview and Vernon is monumental. This is truly an investment that will enhance the quality of life for many people for generations to come.” Sen. Roger Thompson
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Contact:
Joe Freeman
Oklahoma Water Resources Board
(405) 530-8800
Joe.Freeman@owrb.ok.gov
