In a move hailed as a significant advancement for Piedmont's infrastructure, Senator Kristen Thompson, R-Edmond, has garnered approval for a $2 million grant aimed at upgrading the area's water system. Announced on Wednesday, the support comes from the Oklahoma Water Resources Board via the Progressing Rural Economic Prosperity grant program. This financial injection is set to fund the development of new waterlines, reaffirming the cornerstone role of dependable water service in fostering community and economic growth, as reported by the Oklahoma Senate.
The grant, paired with an additional $809,080 Oklahoma Water Resources Board Financial Assistance Program (FAP) loan, is earmarked for constructing a span of 9,200 feet of 16-inch waterline that will cater to Piedmont's accelerating expansion. Sen. Thompson was pivotal in orchestrating the collaboration between the Oklahoma Water Resources Board and local constituents. In a comparably swift and steady process, such an investment aims to satisfy increasing demands on the local water system, and, according to Oklahoma Water Resources Board calculations, customers are on track to save roughly $3.3 million compared to traditional financing methods, as reported by the Oklahoma Senate.
"Reliable water is basic infrastructure for families and job creators," Senator Thompson elucidated, underscoring the vital nature of such systems to daily life and commerce. Adding to Thompson's praise, Oklahoma Water Resources Board Executive Director Julie Cunningham conveyed gratitude not only for Thompson's contribution but also for Rep. Denise Crosswhite Hader's steadfast support of the region's infrastructural endeavors, as stated by the Oklahoma Senate.
Piedmont's Municipal Authority is set to save over $3 million and improve water reliability, thanks to Thompson’s work and Hader’s continued efforts. By securing these funds, Thompson and Hader have helped protect one of the community’s most vital resources—water, as per the Oklahoma Senate.
