INFRASTRUCTURE AND PROGRESS Frederick is also investing heavily in infrastructure. The city is updating its water treatment facility with a new SCADA system, valves, and other upgrades, along with a $1 million project to refurbish the water tower. Grant money is also replacing aging water lines. Along with these enhancements an existing 800,000 gallon city pool is being updated to current standards and new waste management solutions are underway. “Like many small towns, the DEQ and EPA closed down our landfill. So we had to go outsource land waste management,” Davis elaborates.“They brought in these 90,000 pound trucks on our streets that were built in the 40s and 50s, and they destroyed our streets.” He says a new $3 million transfer station will be built outside of town, allowing for smaller trucks in city limits, making it possible to repair and maintain the roads. In total, Davis says he has secured about $8 million in grants over the past three years, along with another $40 million in the employees. The employees here are very proud of their product and what they do. So the labor force that we have here is one that they can count on.” Another local success story is Granna’s, which employs 20 people and continues to grow.“A hometown boy bought the company and moved part of it here.They prepare dinners for nursing homes, schools, jails, even airlines. They’re frozen and shipped all over the United States,” Davis relays. Frederick’s utility ownership is an added bonus. The city is part of a group of municipalities that own their own power production facilities. That allows Frederick to sell power at retail, funding full time fire and police services and infrastructure improvements. “We are part of a group of 43 cities that own our own power companies, we own wind power, we own water turbines, electric or gas fired turbines and coal fired turbines,” details Davis. “With those deals we are able to come out of this and start thriving again.” 218 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 09 FREDERICK, OK
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