The Board of Directors of the Midwestern Oklahoma Development Authority recently awarded grants totaling over $88,000 dollars to nine area cities and towns. The grants are awarded each year for community development and economic growth. Cities qualifying for the grants can receive up to $25,000 if their projects meet certain criteria. Cities receiving grants this year included Sentinel, Cordell, Carter, Corn, Lone Wolf, Rocky, Roosevelt, Sayre, and Weatherford.
The cities will often utilize the funds to improve existing programs or use the monies for entirely new projects. From splash pads, to playground equipment, to leadership workshops, to firefighting equipment, the funds are a welcome gift that cities/ towns compete for each year. Total funds that are awarded is based on a formula devised by the MODA Board of Directors.
“It is always the highlight of my year when we can award these grants. If MODA can help in some small way to lessen the financial burdens these cities/towns face, then we have fulfilled our mission at MODA”, stated Kathy Carlisle, Chief Executive Officer of MODA.
Carlisle has worked for the Authority for over forty years, and has served as its Chief Executive Officer since 1990.
“I want to remind cities/ towns that are included in the four county area that MODA serves, (Washita, Beckham, Custer, Kiowa) to seriously consider applying for these yearly grants,” said Board Chairman Don Greteman. “Although the requirements are stringent and require matching funds from the grant applicants, the time and effort is certainly worth it,” he added.
The MODA Board of Directors include Chairman Don Greteman, Burns Flat; Guy Hilton, Sayre; Jimmy Ingram, Weatherford; Rick Wiest, Cordell; Lee Litterell, Elk City; and Jason Hulin, Clinton.
Recent grant awards include $22,777 to Weatherford for playground equipment and Leadership Weatherford projects, $5,000 to Sentinel for a road repair project, $22,777 to Sayre for a skate park project, $5,000 to Roosevelt for playground equipment, $5,000 to Rocky for a park refurbishing project, $5,000 to Corn for safety surfacing, $4,675 to Lone Wolf for upgrades to the city office and brush fire equipment, $14,450 to Cordell for a brush pumper fire suppression unit, and $4,200 to Carter for HVAC in the community building.