Pictured (L to R): Choctaw Development Fund Advisor Blake McGee, Choctaw Nation Tribal Councilwoman Jennifer Turner, Tamah Mayor Michelle Stallard, Tamaha Councilwoman Tonia Brannan, Tamaha Clerk/Treasurer Jessika Nolend, Choctaw Nation Small Business Development McAlester Center Coordinator Nichole Smith.
Second row: Choctaw Small Business Development Advisor Taely Dedmon, Curtis McGuire with the Tamaha Fire Department, John Wells with the Tamaha Fire Department, Haskell County Commissioner Larry Watson.
Tamaha receives town’s first storm warning system
TAMAHA, Okla. (Aug. 20, 2026)- The Choctaw Development Fund contributed $17,975 in matching funds to the Town of Tamaha to purchase the town’s first storm siren.
The Town of Tamaha was awarded $17,975 from a Rural Economic Action Plan (REAP) grant, and the Choctaw Development Fund covered the matching funds to enable the town to purchase a storm siren that will provide early warning in the event of an impending weather event.
“It’s just exceptionally important,” said Tamaha Councilwoman Tonia Brannan. “We didn’t have any type of storm warning system before. What we had was the fire department, who would drive around in the truck and blow the siren, so not only is it safer for the citizens, but it’s safer for our fire department. This grant is a really big deal for us.”
Brannan said the town’s partnership with the Choctaw Nation has been integral to community projects over the years.
“With a history of severe weather across the Choctaw Nation, it’s crucial that our communities have storm warning systems that can alert them at the first sign of storms,” said Angel Drake, Choctaw Development Fund manager. “We were thrilled to see Tamaha receive the REAP grant, and we were happy to contribute to such a vital safety measure for their town.”
About The Choctaw Development Fund
The Choctaw Development Fund supports economic viability and sustainability by partnering with Choctaw small business owners, cities and municipalities to create long-term growth and job creation within the territories of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma.
The Choctaw Development Fund partners with the Choctaw Nation Small Business Development (CSBD). The CSBD is a single-source contact for member advisory on business start-up and existing business enhancement processes that increase the opportunity for success through partnerships with state, federal, and tribal resources. Our focus is delivering technical assistance, training programs, and access to capital for individuals and entrepreneurs to build successful, job-creating, Choctaw-owned companies within the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma.
About The Choctaw Nation
The Choctaw Nation is the third-largest Indian Nation in the United States with more than 230,000 tribal members and 13,000-plus associates. This ancient people has an oral tradition dating back over 14,000 years. The first tribe over the Trail of Tears, its historic reservation boundaries are in the southeast corner of Oklahoma, covering 10,923 square miles. The Choctaw Nation’s vision, “Living out the Chahta Spirit of faith, family and culture,” is evident as it continues to focus on providing opportunities for growth and prosperity. For more information about the Choctaw Nation, its culture, heritage and traditions, please go to www.choctawnation.com.
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