08/24/2026
The town of Arkoma wants to be transparent as well as inform our community about grants and how grant funding actually works.
Just because we receive a grant does NOT mean, “Here’s the money, let’s start writing checks.” Grants are awarded for specific purposes, projects, equipment, services, or activities. The money must be used according to the requirements of that specific grant. Every grant comes with rules, requirements, documentation, and accountability. If the money is not used as required, the town may have to return it.
You may be looking for a grant to fund one particular need and, in the process, discover other grant opportunities that could benefit our town. A grant may not always be for exactly what we are looking for as of right now, but we should always explore opportunities to bring grant funding into our community when it makes sense. We shouldn’t leave free money on the table.
There are several different types of grants that are listed below.
1. Reimbursement Grants- With a reimbursement grant, the town must first pay for the approved work, equipment, or service. We then submit a Disbursement Request along with the invoice and proof that we actually paid for the expense.
Only after that documentation is submitted and approved do we receive the grant funds. The reimbursement is for the exact eligible amount requested.
2. Grants Paid as We Go- Some grants operate on a “pay as you go” basis. The vendor performs the approved work or provides the approved service, and we receive the necessary invoice and documentation.
We submit the Disbursement Request for payment. Once the grant funds are received, the vendor is paid from those funds.
3. Grants Paid Directly to a Third Party- Some grants are awarded for a specific project, service, or activity, but the grant money never comes through the town's office.
Instead, the grantor pays the third party or vendor who is performing the approved work. The town may still be responsible for making sure the project is completed according to the grant requirements.
4. Smaller Direct-Funded Grants- Some smaller grants provide the funds to the town upfront or in an award amount, but they come with very specific requirements for how the money must be used and documented.
For example, the grant may require invoices to include certain information showing exactly what was purchased and what the money was used for. If those requirements are not met, the town may be required to return the grant money.
You might be asking why this matters?
Grant funding can be a tremendous resource for our community, but it also comes with responsibility.
Our goal should be to pursue every legitimate grant opportunity that can benefit the town while understanding that every grant has a purpose and every dollar has accountability attached to it.
Receiving a grant is not the end of the process. It is the beginning of our responsibility to use those funds properly, document how they are spent, follow the grant requirements, and make sure the community receives the benefit the grant was intended to provide.
Transparency means not only telling the community when we receive grant funding, but also explaining where the money can go, how it gets to us, and what requirements come with it. We as the Town of Arkoma intend to do this better as we move forward.
Here is a list of the following grants the Town of Arkoma has received over the last ten years.
2016 -Fire Dept received Rural Fire Defense Grant $4,290 from OK Dept of Agriculture and Forestry Services for fire calls.
2017 -None
2018 -Municipal Authority(Water Dept) received $17,000 from Choctaw Nation for engineering fees for water infrastructure repairs.
-Fire Dept received Rural Fire Defense Grant $3,744 from OK Dept of Agriculture and Forestry Services for fire calls.
2019 -Fire Dept received Rural Fire Defense Grant $4,000 from OK Dept of Agriculture and Forestry Services for fire calls.
-Town received a $36,000 T-SET grant for playground equipment at the park.
-Municipal Authority received $28,000 for manhole survey evaluation of manhole repairs.
-Municipal Authority received $7,499 KEDDO grant for repairing one manhole.
-Town received $6,670 for body cameras for the Police Department.
2020 -Fire Dept received Rural Fire Defense Grant $4,642 from Dept of Agriculture and Forestry Services for fire calls.
2021 -Town received $124,556 from OK Office of Management and Enterprise Services to help assist during COVID.
-Town received a $51,000 USDA grant to remodel city hall after flooding.
-Town received $90,085 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for flooding repairs.
-Fire Dept received Rural Fire Defense Grant $4,826.00 from Dept of Agriculture and Forestry Services for fire calls.
2022 -Town received $24,872 from OK Municipal Assurance Group for police equipment.
-Town received $165,835 from OK Office of Management and Enterprise Services for the American Rescue Plan Act.
-Fire Dept received Rural Fire Defense Grant $4,763 from Dept of Agriculture and Forestry Services for fire calls.
2023 -Town received $166,616 from OK Office of Management and Enterprise Services for residual assistance after COVID.
-Fire Dept received Rural Fire Defense Grant $10,052 from Dept of Agriculture and Forestry Services for fire calls.
-Municipal Authority received $1,000,000 ARPA grant through OWRB for Manhole Rehab Project.
2024 -Town received $10,000 Safe Grant for police department overtime.
-Town received a grant for sidewalks from grade school to high school.
2025 -Town received a $10,000 OSHO grant for a specific police department project.
-Municipal Authority received a $96,000 RIG grant to help replace non-working endpoints that transmit satellite meter connection to office.
-Municipal authority receives up to $50,000 from T-SET grant for Trails Feasibility study for possible more walking paths through Arkoma.
