On Tuesday, the Durant Industrial Authority (DIA) met during their monthly meeting to discuss a new water tower, water well and water line infrastructure project in the city of Durant. The authority said this project is “to support future growth of Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Medical Center of Southeastern Oklahoma, Durant High School and multi-family housing. The tower would be housed on the corner of 9th and Chuckwa in Durant.

The city plans to partner with Choctaw Nation in the grant process.

Mayor Jerry Tomlinson said, “This is truly a partnership effort, along with Choctaw Nation participating in the grant process, we can double the amount received.”

He said that this is almost a four million dollar project and “is not just for water tower, but for infrastructure for Southeastern that is needed right now.”

Tommy Kramer, executive director of the DIA, said the Southern Oklahoma Development Association is helping in the grant process. He said, “We’re continually looking at partnerships and funding.”

City Manager James Dunegan said, “The university needs water pressure bad. If we want this university to grow, we’re going to have to stretch it to do that. Not only is this something we have to do, it’s something we need to do.” The members of the DIA approved moving forward with the grant application and funding up to $500,000 of the project, which will match Southeastern’s funding. The DIA also discussed a job creation application for an industrial loan from Pharmcare. Kramer said Pharmcare is “a multi-state industrial pharmaceutical supplier to nursing homes and assisted living types of entities” and “a highly profitable company.”