A mineral lease and city projects were among the chief discussions at the Durant Industrial Authority and Durant Economic Development Council meetings Tuesday morning.

During the DIA meeting, John Cathey, chair, told the members that the Mid-Continent Energy Corporation offered to buy 23.625 mineral acres in the area of Arkansas and 22nd Avenue for $200 an acre, a total of $4,725.

Cathey said no one else has offered to lease on the 58.50 acres of property, which is located south of Allied Stone. The agreement with Mid-Continent Energy would last for three years.

Cathey told the DIA members that their options are still open and that he could get more information and try to get a higher price for the mineral acres.

The DIA voted to have Cathey accept the oil and gas lease after he tries to negotiate a higher price.

Cathey also reported that the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission approved the city’s grant request for the approximately 8,000 square-foot terminal building at Eaker Field.

“We’re moving forward,” he said. Construction could begin the first quarter of next year.

During the Economic Development meeting, Tommy Kramer, executive director of the DIA, presented Oklahoma Labor Force statistics from this October.

The report states that McCurtain, Latimer and Hughes counties have the highest unemployment rates, with 11.8, 11.6 and 10.7 percent, respectively. Beaver, Cimarron, Cotton and Harper counties have the lowest rates, at 3.5, 4.1, 4.5 and 4.5, respectively.

In October 2009, Durant and Bryan County had an unemployment rate of 5.7 percent, up 2 percent from October 2008 and up 0.4 percent from September 2009, ranking as the 17th lowest unemployment rate in the state.

The Durant Workforce Investment Area — consisting of Bryan County as well as Atoka, Coal and Johnston counties — had 7 percent unemployment, an increase of 2.8 percent from October 2008. Kramer said this figure is higher because, aside from Bryan County, the other counties have higher unemployment rates.

Roy Davis, employment services office manager with Workforce Oklahoma, Durant, said employment figures in the area are looking better. Less people have been coming in to file for unemployment. Some people from Texas have also visited the office.

Jason Winborn invited the Economic Development members to an AT&T luncheon and meeting with Oklahoma President Bryan Gonterman and Executive Jim McGuire on Dec. 16 at the REI headquarters conference room, 2912 Enterprise Blvd., Durant.

In other business, Durant Mayor Jerry Tomlinson gave an overview of city projects.

He said the 28,000 square-foot Donald W. Reynolds Community Center and Library could have a groundbreaking ceremony as early as January. The Donald W. Reynolds Foundation gave the city a nearly $8 million grant to build the new facility.

The city also recently received two new Chevy Tahoes to use as K-9 patrol vehicles. Tomlinson said the city has adopted a police vehicle replacement program. Vehicles will be replaced when they reach 70,000 miles, so the old vehicles can have a higher resale value.

Other improvements for the police department include the addition of a classroom building at the firing range; upgrade the communication center, which covers all emergency services in the county; a new police building on the 3200 block of Carl Albert Drive; and the criminal investigation division’s new office on north First Avenue, in the old Oklahoma Highway Patrol station.

Tomlinson said construction on the new central fire station on First and Evergreen has been delayed because of rain. A ribbon cutting ceremony for the building could be held the first of February.

Tomlinson also outlined equipment purchases and projects for the Public Works and Street departments. Purchases include a new asphalt roller, an asphalt zipper, a backhoe and a small sand and gravel spreader.

City Manager James Dunegan said these equipment purchases have reduced the city costs.

“We’re living within our means,” Dunegan said.

Tomlinson also listed several road construction projects:

— Extending Larkspur Lane and constructing a bridge over Chuckwa

— Resurfacing Mockingbird Lane

— A new concrete parking lot at the old OHP building

— Building an access road to the Choctaw hangar

— Complete reconstruction and drainage on Clark Street

— Resurfacing and placing planters on Lost Street

— Upgrading drainage on Kande Lane

— Reconstructing Sleepy Hollow

The Solid Waste Department will receive two new freightliner trucks and a new automated truck that can pick up and empty trash bins. The city will still make individual pick-ups, Tomlinson said.

The Parks Department made improvements at the Durant Multi-Sports Complex, adding new gates and landscaping, Tomlinson said. Also, the fence at Lloyd Plyer Park has been removed, with the Plyer family’s permission.

Under old business, Chamber of Commerce Director Janet Reed said the Choctaw Nation had 3,012 attend their recent job fair. One thousand jobs were available.

To close the meeting, Kramer gave a gift to Clay Jones, Bryan County OSU Extension director, who is retiring after 21 and a half years in the position.

Jones has 32 years experience at the Extension office and taught high school agriculture for two years in Vanoss, Okla.

Jones’ last day is Dec. 31. He said he plans to work on his ranch and enjoy the outdoors.

“Your a true Bryan County native and we thank you for your support,” Kramer said.

“We have the best [Extension director] in the state, if not the U.S.,” Dunegan said. “He participated in everything. He did it all.”