I met last week with Kim Rose, the executive director of the Kiamichi Economic Development District of Oklahoma (KEDDO), who shared with me a list of recent Rural Economic Action Plan (REAP) grant awards for projects in LeFlore County.
The REAP grant program is point based and designed to assist communities with 7,000 people or fewer that lack sufficient fiscal capacity. Higher priority is given to entities with a population less than 1,750 people, RWDs with fewer than 525 non-pasture taps, and school districts with fewer than 525 students.
The list of recent awards in our House District includes:
The Fort Coffee Senior Center will receive $15,000 for equipment.
The Monroe Community Center will receive $35,000 for building renovations.
The Pocola Senior Center will receive $6,250.
The town of Spiro will receive $35,170 for a new truck.
Rural Water District 2 will receive $28,308.
A total of almost $121,000.
In addition, REAP transportation grant awards were made for several road projects in our House district. These include:
Oil, chip and seal projects on Hicks Chapel Road and Rock Quarry Road at $69,454 each and an asphalt overlay on Highway 59/AES Road for $160,000, all in District 1; and a oil, chip and seal project on Hontubby Road for $69,454 in District 3.
This is an example of tax dollars that the Legislature appropriated to REAP that are actually coming back to LeFlore County. I’m always glad when that happens.
Last week at the Capitol, we celebrated 4-H Day. Students from all across the state visited. I was fortunate to get to meet with two young women from our House district: Kinsley Williams, a 7th-grader at Fanshaw School, and Brayli Beason, a 10th-grader at Cameron School. Brayli is also a proud member of the Choctaw Nation. 4-H has always been an organization that has supported our agriculture education and helped our kids develop a hard work ethic and leadership skills. It was good to meet with these two young members from our area.
This week is the deadline for all Senate bills to be advanced out of House committees except for those going through our Appropriations & Budget Committee. Those have until April 19 to advance. Once bills pass committee, they are eligible to be considered on the House floor.
The House and Senate are still working on different versions of education bills. The House version would be a lot better for schools in our area. Under the Senate version, schools in House District 3 would receive millions less in funding. I believe something will get worked out to move forward.
On the topic of education, the House voted on Monday to approve a $9 million supplemental appropriation to Higher Education to fund scholarships for our National Guard members. I appreciate those who serve our state and our nation and believe they should have this help.
Remember to listen to me on KPRV Radio at 7:30 a.m. every Thursday for my legislative update.
As always, if I can help you with anything, feel free to call my Capitol office at (405) 557-7413 or email me at rick.west@okhouse.gov.
- Rick West serves District 3 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. His district includes part of LeFlore County.
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