June 20, 2026 Issue, Page 9 of 10

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The Elk City News SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 2026 • 9 Weekly Oklahoma Oil and Gas Proudly Brought to you by: Oil & Gas Report for the State of Oklahoma for June 9 - 15, 2026 South Western Oklahoma Development Authority and Southwest (SWODA) Receives 2026 Excellence in Regional Transportation Award from the National Association of Development Organizations The South Western Oklahoma tion expansion and mobility access 16-county service area that includes Rick Hunsaker. “Programs and proj- Development Authority (SWODA), in rural Oklahoma. Through this ini- Beckham, Caddo, Comanche, Cot- ects like the Forward 45 Regional headquartered in Burns Flat, Okla- tiative, approximately $10.8 million ton, Custer, Grady, Greer, Harmon, Transportation Plan and Rural Mo- homa, has received a 2026 Excellence over five years has been dedicated to Jackson, Jefferson, Kiowa, McClain, bility Access Program foster com- in Regional Transportation Award expanding rural transportation ser- Roger Mills, Stephens, Tillman, and munity and economic connections from the National Association of De- vices and mobility access in Oklaho- Washita Counties. These efforts sup- and promote effective transportation velopment Organizations (NADO) ma. The funding supports expanding port local communities by strength- networks.” for its leadership in developing the Forward 45 Regional Transportation Plan and implementing innovative the Rural Mobility Access Program (RMAP), increasing access to health- care services and food access points ening transportation access, im- proving quality of life, and fostering economic development throughout NADO is a Washington, DC- based association that promotes pro- grams and policies that strengthen PASS TIME rural mobility initiatives that im- prove access to healthcare and food in rural Oklahoma. Together, these investments represent more than southwestern Oklahoma “This award reflects years of col- local governments, communities, and economies through regional IN LINE. access points in rural Oklahoma. $12.3 million dedicated to transpor- laboration among local governments, cooperation, program delivery, and A key component of this effort is the $1.5 million U.S. Department tation planning, mobility access, and regional connectivity throughout transportation providers, healthcare partners, and community organiza- comprehensive development strat- egies. The Excellence in Regional READ THE of Transportation FFY 2022 RAISE Grant awarded to develop the For- ward 45 Regional Transportation southwestern Oklahoma. These initiatives are implemented through the Southwest Oklahoma tions working to improve mobility in southwest Oklahoma,” said Julie Sanders, Director of Transportation Transportation Awards recog- nize organizations for noteworthy achievements in rural and small NEWSPAPER. Plan (RTP), a comprehensive re- Regional Transportation Planning for SWODA and SORTPO. metropolitan transportation plan- gional strategy designed to improve Organization (SORTPO), which “The Excellence in Regional ning, program delivery, and special mobility, connectivity, safety, and administers transportation planning Transportation Awards program initiatives. Award recipients will be economic opportunity throughout programs, grants, and regional mo- showcases effective and creative recognized during the 2026 National southwestern Oklahoma. In addi- bility initiatives across the SWODA transportation initiatives that im- Regional Transportation Conference tion, SWODA is the recipient of a and Association of Central Oklaho- prove accessibility, mobility, safety, in Atlanta, Georgia, July 20–22. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid ma Governments (ASCOG) regions. and quality of life in regions around For more information about the Services funded, five-year Rural SORTPO coordinates transporta- the United States,” said NADO Pres- award-winning projects, contact Ju- Health Transformation (RHT) Pro- tion planning, project development, ident and Executive Director of Re- lie Sanders at 580-562-5010 or Julie@ gram grant supporting transporta- and grant implementation across a gion XII Council of Governments SWODA.org. In Print. Online. In Touch.