Press Release

Stilwell Area Development Authority receives $7,198,438 grant for system improvements 

OKLAHOMA CITY –The Stilwell Area Development Authority (Authority) received approval for $7,198,438 in funding Tuesday from the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) to improve the Authority’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 along with $7,210,000 in Cherokee Tribal Matching Funds, and $8,159,000 from Indian Health Services.

The Authority has aging water and wastewater infrastructure and insufficient capacity during peak demand. These proceeds will be used to construct a new flow equalization basin, a new pump station, and to improve the water treatment plant.

Joe Freeman, chief of the OWRB’s Financial Assistance Division, calculated that the Authority’s customers will save an estimated $11,770,900 compared to traditional financing.