DUNCAN – Stephens County is asking the federal government for help covering the cost of improving access to water at the location of a former refinery.
The Stephens County Commission voted 3-0 March 21 to approve a letter seeking a federal grant for the $1 million project, according to the Stephens County Clerk’s Office. The request will be sent to Congressman Tom Cole (R-Oklahoma) whose district includes Stephens County.
The project will consist of installing a 300,000-gallon water tower to improve the water supply and provide fire protection at the site, along with a 6- to 8-inch water line, according to the letter. A wastewater system will also be integrated into the site.
Those improvements could help turn the site into a hub for cutting- edge technologies, backed by capital investments, county officials said in the letter.
“This transformation holds the promise of generating high-paying jobs for the local community and the broader region,” they said.
Officials said they support the project because they believe it will help create business opportunities that will boost the county’s economic fortunes.
The property in question is a remediated brownfield site. The term “brownfield site” refers to an underused or abandoned property where contamination makes redevelopment more challenging.
Remediating a brownfield site involves removing or sealing off contaminated areas within the site so it can be used again without health risks.