In December SWODA awarded over $890,000 to eleven rural community projects in southwest Oklahoma. These funds were available through the Rural Economic Action Plan (REAP), which was designed in 1996 to help promote economic growth, community stability and improve the quality of life in communities with a population less than 7,000.

SWODA developed a specialized application and scoring system to help decide how the monies are allocated each year. Communities submit an application, and the applications are scored and submitted to the SWODA board of trustees for final approval.

This years REAP grants were awarded as follows:

Town of Mountain Park, Sewer Lift Station Improvements - $19,975

Town of Gotebo, Waterline Replacement Project - $100,000

City of Hobart, Construction of Animal Shelter Building - $100,000

Town of Carter, Waterline Replacement Project - $100,000

Town of Sentinel, Waterline Replacement Project - $99,900

Town of Dill City, Water Well Emergency Generator - $17,490

City of Snyder, Water Storage Tank Renovation - $100,000

Beckham County Rural Water #1, Installation of Booster Pump Station - $100,000

Town of Rocky, Purchase of Backhoe Machine - $50,000

City of Hollis, Sewer Line Replacement Project - $79,400

City of Thomas, New City Maintenance Barn - $79,500

Beckham County/North Fork Red River Conservation District, No-Till Drill - $47,500