Press Release

OKLAHOMA CITY –The Chelsea Economic Development Authority (Authority) received approval for $1,302,083 in funding Tuesday from the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) to improve the Authority’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 along with $1,269,800 from Cherokee Tribal matching funds, and $655,000 from Indian Health Services (IHS).

The Authority will utilize the proceeds to convert existing lagoons to a total retention lagoon system and for improvements to the headworks and pump stations for a land application system.

Joe Freeman, chief of the OWRB’s Financial Assistance Division, calculated that the Authority’s customers will save an estimated $1,955,300 compared to traditional financing. The Authority’s Wastewater Superintendent, Mike Wooten, stated, “We appreciate the efforts to help minimize debt service through ARPA dollars.”