The City of Seminole has been awarded $4.3 million by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for construction of a new water tower, according to a news release from Congresswoman Stephanie Bice’s office.

The funds, requested by Bice, will be used for a new 500,000-gallon tower that will be constructed near Seminole State College. The total cost of the project will be about $4.5 million, and the majority, if not all, of the costs are covered by the EPA grant. The city was approved for a cost share waiver and the EPA requires no matching funds, but any cost overruns will be the responsibility of the city.

“I’m not sure words can describe how grateful we are for what Stephanie Bice has done for us. We are lucky to have such a stateswoman representing us in congress,” said City Manager Steve Saxon. “This water tower will serve Seminole for decades. Making this kind of generational investment represents what good governance can look like.”

Mayor Cory Crabtree echoed Saxon’s sentiments.

“Congresswoman Bice has been a champion for our citizens and our community. She spent quality time with our people after the May 2022 tornado and sympathized with the adversity we were facing,” Crabtree said. “Out of those challenges the congresswoman responded in a big way to relieve a major challenge. This water tower is critical to sustain our community and it ensures we have the opportunity to continue our growth.”

Bice said that she will continue to be an advocate for clean water for all communities in her district, which includes Seminole County.

“Working on the Appropriations Committee gives me the opportunity to upgrade and expand critical infrastructure needs in our communities. This water tower project will ensure that the Seminole community can continue to expand and grow while having access to reliable, safe water. I will continue to advocate for towns throughout the Fifth Congressional District of Oklahoma.”