Altus recently received a state grant for water system improvements according to Sen. Mike Schulz (R-Altus) and Rep. David Braddock (D-Altus).

 The Oklahoma Department of Commerce/ Office of Community Development awarded Altus a nearly $72,000 grant as part of the 2007 Community Development Block Grant Small Cities set-aside.  The funds will be used to construct 2,000 feet of eight-inch water line.  This will include installing a new water line in the alley between Thomas and Chambers Street from Falcon Road to Park Street and from Park Street turning south to connect to the existing eight-inch water line. 

Funds will also be used to install 1,400 feet of six-inch water line.  A new six-foot water line will then be installed going south on Chambers Street then West to the alley between Chambers and Thomas then going south to connect to the existing ten-inch water line located on C Street.

 The city of Altus will match the CDBG funds by providing an additional $117,000 to complete the projects.

 The Small Cities set-aside was established for communities with a population between 15,000 and 50,000 residents, which are not U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) designated entitlement communities.  Each year, HUD provides funding for these set-asides through the Community Development Block Grant Program.