FY26 Community Project Funding Awarded to Oklahoma’s Fifth District

Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Stephanie Bice announced that three projects in Oklahoma's Fifth Congressional District received award notifications for a total of $2,721,813 in Community Project Funding secured by the Congresswoman through the Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations process. This funding will modernize Guthrie's Central Communications Center, which supports emergency communications for 5 police departments and 12 fire departments; improve security at Oklahoma Children's Hospital, which serves approximately 12,000 inpatients, 35,000 emergency patients, and 250,000 outpatient visits annually; and allow the University of Central Oklahoma's Forensic Science Institute to acquire new, state of the art technology to support students and the University's work with law enforcement.

"I am proud to have secured these critical investments for Oklahoma's Fifth Congressional District,"Congresswoman Bice said."These projects are great examples of how we can bring taxpayer dollars back home to support the important work already being done in our communities. I am grateful to everyone who helped make these projects possible and look forward to seeing the difference this funding will make."

"We are constantly looking for ways to improve our infrastructure and our equipment without placing the entire burden on our local taxpayers, and federal grants are a huge part of that," Guthrie City Manager Eddie Faulkner said.

During the event, Guthrie Police Chief Sweger previously provided a technical overview of the project, detailing how the grant will revitalize the dispatch center. He stated,"The upgrades needed to handle the volume of calls we receive often outweigh our fiscal abilities. These funds will help alleviate some of that weight and ensure the continuance of service to our region."

"Healthcare workers save lives every day. Ensuring their safety is not merely a workplace issue - it is a public health imperative and a moral obligation," said Richard P. Lofgren, M.D., MPH, President and CEO of OU Health."We commend Congresswoman Bice for her continued engagement on this critical matter and call on federal, state, and institutional leaders to invest in the people who make our healthcare system possible."

"The University of Central Oklahoma appreciates Congresswoman Stephanie Bice's support and recognition of our outstanding students and faculty in the Forensic Science Institute. This funding allows the university to continue building the nation's premier forensic science education program, driving workforce development in the critical area of law enforcement,"said UCO President Todd G. Lamb.