SWODA Press Release

Burns Flat, OK – The South Western Oklahoma Development Authority (SWODA) and the Southwest Oklahoma Regional Transportation Planning Organization (SORTPO) are pleased to announce the grant award of $30,000 from the Carolyn Watson Rural Oklahoma Community Foundation Fund at the Oklahoma City Community Foundation.

The grant will support the launch of a Mileage Reimbursement Pilot (MRP) project under the organization’s Mobility Management Program (MMP). The project focuses on connecting people to the places that matter - from medical appointments and job interviews to community centers, senior centers, grocery stores, libraries, and more.

This funding will help address critical transportation barriers in Caddo, Kiowa, and Stephens counties by reimbursing eligible individuals for travel to essential services. The program aims to reduce missed healthcare visits, support wellness, and enhance the overall quality of life for residents in rural communities who lack access to public transportation or personal vehicles.

“Transportation shouldn’t be a barrier to living a healthy, connected life,” said Julie Sanders, SWODA/SORTPO Transportation Director. “We’re making sure that older adults and working families in our rural towns have a reliable way to get to the doctor, to school, to job interviews—without being left behind by systems that weren’t built with them in mind.”

SWODA is dedicated to strengthening communities through collaborative planning and service delivery. Through the MMP, in partnership with SORTPO and the Oklahoma Department of Transportation, the organization works to connect vulnerable populations with essential services. By piloting this innovative approach, SWODA hopes to create a scalable, data-informed model that can be replicated in other rural regions across Oklahoma. Contact SWODA's Mobility Navigator, Cristi Williams at 580-562-5038 to see if you qualify.