Information about SWODA

The South Western Oklahoma Development Authority (SWODA), headquartered in Burns Flat, was created in 1971 in a joint effort by municipalities, counties and conservation districts in Beckham, Custer, Greer, Harmon, Jackson, Kiowa, Roger Mills and Washita counties. From these governmental units and from other population segments in the region, 30 representatives are elected to serve on SWODA's governing board. The board of trustees determines policy for SWODA. Leaders in these communities recognized that some problems shared by many of these governments could be better solved if they worked together.

Mission:

Strengthen local governments by providing services and technical assistance.

Promote orderly growth and development through job creation and the preservation of the environmental integrity.

Improve the quality of life by maximizing economic and social opportunities for the region and its population.

Announcements

* Tuesday, August 10, 2010: The SWODA Board of Trustee meeting will be held at 2:00pm.

CENA Grant Application Period Now Open

July 27, 2010

The FY 2011 Community Expansion of Nutrion Assistance (CENA) grant application period is now open. The CENA grant application can be found on the SWODA Grant Application page, and all applications must be received at the SWODA office no later than 5:00 p.m., August 18, 2010. (More...)

Ombudsman Volunteer Training to Be Held in Elk City

July 21, 2010

Training for new ombudsman volunteers has been scheduled for July 28, 2010, from 1:00-5:00pm and July 29, 2010, from 9:30-3:30 at The Gathering Place on South Highway 6 in Elk City. (More...)

Caregiver Shortage Threatens for Baby Boomers

June 7, 2010

By the year 2030, this nation’s 72 million baby boomers will have reached age 65. This many baby boomers reaching retirement age at the same time will create a critical shortage of caregivers. Those employed as caregivers are primarily women in their mid-20s to mid-50s, and the caregiver industry is already suffering from low wages and high turnover rates. This situation is not expected to improve anytime soon. (More...)

2010 Spring/Summer Aging Actions Now Available

May 18, 2010

The 2010 Spring/Summer edition of SWODA Aging Actions is now available. (More...)

2010 Highway Tree Grant program

May 17, 2010

The 2010 Highway Tree Grant program will provide approximately $435,000 to communities statewide this year. Funding for the continuation of the Highway Tree Grant Program is from SAFETEA-LU and is managed by the Oklahoma Department of Transportation. (More...)

New Ombudsman Volunteers Certified by SWODA AAA

May 3, 2010

The South Western Oklahoma Development Authority Area Agency on Aging Ombudsman Program has recently certified new ombudsman volunteers in the eight-county area. Louise Kenedy, Weatherford, volunteers at Alterra Assisted Living in Weatherford. Pat Allen, Altus, volunteers at English Village Manor in Altus, and Camilla Jackson, Altus, volunteers at Plantation Village Assisted Living Center in Altus. (More...)

Public to Review Hammon Public School Hazard Mitigation Plan

April 12, 2010

Hammon Public School received a matching grant to create a hazard mitigation plan through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP). HMGP funds come to the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (ODEM) through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as a result of a presidentially declared disaster. (More...)

Free Workshops for Improving Your Community

April 5, 2010

The Hometown Makeover/Community Improvement Guide will be the subject of KEEP OKLAHOMA BEAUTIFUL’s first series of FREE Regional Workshop Training sessions. . . . presented by Keep Oklahoma Beautiful, with the support of the Wal-Mart Foundation . (More...)

Appliance Rebate Program

April 5, 2010

The U.S. Department of Energy has approved Oklahoma’s plan for the state’s Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate program. Oklahoma was approved for a $3.5 million federal grant provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) for appliance rebates. The appliance rebate program is designed for Oklahoma residents to buy energy-efficient appliances from Oklahoma retailers to replace existing appliances in Oklahoma single residences. (More...)

Multipurpose Senior Center Grant Program

March 31, 2010

This program is designed to help improve the quality of existing Multipurpose Senior Centers (MSC), to construct or rehabilitate MSCs, and to provide necessary equipment to enhance the supportive services. MSCs are community or neighborhood facilities that provide of a broad spectrum of services including health, social, and nutritional group activities for senior citizens over the age of 60 years. (More...)