Press Release

Okemah Utilities Authority receives $1,000,000 grant for system improvements

OKLAHOMA CITY –The Okemah Utilities Authority (Authority) received approval for $1,000,000 in funding Tuesday from the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) to improve the Authority’s water infrastructure.  Construction of improvements to the water system will be financed by the Oklahoma American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant program along with $20,875,325 in funding from the OWRB Financial Assistance Loan Program.

The Authority owns and operates an aged water treatment plant (WTP) that serves the city of Okemah. These proceeds will be used for the construction of a new WTP which will allow the system to continue meeting the needs of their customers. 

Joe Freeman, chief of the OWRB’s Financial Assistance Division, calculated that the Authority’s customers will save an estimated $1,553,200 compared to traditional financing.