City of Weatherford

PROJECT PURPOSE

The City of Weatherford is seeing high volumes of economic growth in Western Oklahoma. When seeing growth, you also need to meet the infrastructure needs of your community. That is why the City of Weatherford is looking at adding two more water wells for the city. Every $1 invested in water and sanitation provides a $4 economic return back into its citizens. These water wells will be ensuring and supporting economic development, innovation, and water-dependent industries. It is also expanding access to water resources and enhancing water recreation opportunities. The City of Weatherford evaluated the locations needed to determine the most impacted area for efficiency in economic development. This project will support the Weatherford in utilities, while meeting the needs for future growth.

EVIDENCE

The 2020 census showed that Weatherford was the only city in Western Oklahoma that had seen growth in population compared to others that had shown declined population. The census data showed from 2000 to 2020 that Weatherford had seen a constantly increase in growth. The City of Weatherford is moving forward on growing and being progressive.

POPULATION DESCRIPTION

The pandemic has particularly affected people with low incomes and/or with poor health. According to the most recent U.S. Census data 24.2% of Weatherford citizens are at or below the federal poverty level. This population is disproportionately affected by the pandemic. Rising costs of goods and services due to inflation and other supply chain issues has impacted these consumers ability to purchase basic necessities. The assistance requested will help the City of Weatherford to control the cost of providing clean, safe drinking water to residents. Many disproportionately affected residents, suffer from health issues that could be exacerbated without access to reasonable priced drinking water.

PERFORMANCE MEASURING

The investment in infrastructure towards utilities will have a long lasting positive impact on economic development for the City of Weatherford. This will show how the state joined together in making sure that Western Oklahoma is growing and meeting all the needs in economic development. Rural Oklahoma and Western Oklahoma will help grow our state in workforce, but also bring economic growth within our state. The data will be collected to determine project effectiveness by increasing growth in Weatherford, and meeting a need in water supply for the City of Weatherford.

ONGOING INVESTMENT AMOUNT

$

ONGOING INVESTMENT DESCRIPTION

None

ONGOING INVESTMENT REQUIRED

Able to continue operation without additional funding from the State of Oklahoma