Published: August 15, 2008 02:18 pm      

Stonewall receives more than $500K grant for medical clinic

Ada — U.S. Congressman Tom Cole attended a special ceremony hosted by the city of Stonewall Thursday to celebrate the town receiving more than half-a-million dollars in federal grants.

The grants were awarded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development. The majority of the money—$499,900—will be used to fund a new rural medical clinic. An old bank building will be renovated to house the facility. Once completed, residents will have access to medical care locally.

The grant is being leveraged with a $100,000 Community Development Block Grant and a $75,592 in-kind contribution from Tri-County Indian Nations Community Development Corporation, bringing the total amount to $525,682.

Stonewall city officials, Oklahoma State Senator Susan Paddack, USDA Rural Development officials, Pontotoc County Commissioner Winford Wood, officials from Tri-County INCDC and others were on hand to congratulate the community on their accomplishments.

To represent the funding, a ceremonial check was signed by Cole and Rural Development State Director Brent Kisling.

“Rural Development is proud to be a partner in providing essential community services to this area,” Kisling said.

“We commend the community leaders of Stonewall and all who devoted their time to apply for these grants. We also extend our appreciation to Congressman Cole for supporting USDA programs such as these and for his obvious commitment to seeing this area prosper.”

A second grant for $25,782 was awarded to Stonewall to purchase a new police car. This grant is being funded through the USDA Rural Development’s Rural Business Enterprise Grant program and will be leveraged with a $8,595 REAP grant. The new car will replace a high-mileage car which has become unreliable.

A spokesperson with the USDA said in addition to making grants available for community projects, the Community Facility program also offers a guarantee option which presents communities with the opportunity to obtain financing for their projects through eligible local financial institutions.

USDA Rural Development administers many other federal programs including housing, utility, business and many other opportunities believed to help build rural communities from the ground up, the spokesperson said.