The federal government is making grants available to assist local homeowners with repairs that were necessitated after last year’s severe weather, which included a major tornado on May 4.

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Oklahoma State Director Kenneth Corn announced Thursday that the grants would be available only in counties that were declared disasters by President Joe Biden, which includes Seminole County. Other counties covered under the declaration are Adair, Cherokee, Muskogee, Okmulgee, Pottawatomie and Tulsa.

“Oklahomans all too well know the destructive forces Mother Nature can bring to the Sooner State and unfortunately the increasingly negative impacts of climate change have made each successive year harder for Oklahoma families to recover from these powerful storms,” Corn said. “However, the Biden-Harris Administration has made it known they want to use the power of our federal government for good and ensure our rural neighborhoods in Oklahoma are able to afford the repairs so our neighbors in Oklahoma can live in safe and secure homes.”

The grants are being made available through supplemental disaster funding under the Rural Disaster Home Repair Grant Program. Through this program, people may apply to receive grants of up to $40,675 directly from the USDA Oklahoma State Office to repair their homes.

Funds will be available until fully utilized. They may be used to pay for home repair expenses, prepare a site for a manufactured home or to relocate a manufactured home.

To be eligible, applicants must have household incomes that do not exceed the low limits based on their household size and county. This information may be found online at www. rd.usda.gov/sites/default/ files/RD-DirectLimitMap. pdf.

“The Oklahoma economy depends on the work rural Oklahomans do every day, but that isn’t possible without a strong foundation and pride in our rural homes,” Corn said. “I am so thankful to our President for not only his leadership but more importantly delivering on his promises when Rural America raises its hand and asks for assistance.”

For more information on how to apply, contact 405742-1061 or visit https:// www.rd.usda.gov/ok.

According to a press release, USDA expects to announce additional funding in the near future. This additional funding will assist eligible organizations help rural people repair and improve their homes. It will also help rural communities repair water infrastructure and essential community facilities.

Additional resources to support rural communities seeking disaster assistance are available at https:// www.rd.usda.gov/page/ rural-development-disaster- assistance.