Pictured (L to R): Choctaw Development Fund Advisor Blake McGee, Choctaw Nation Tribal Councilwoman Jennifer Turner, Tamah Mayor Michelle Stallard, Tamaha Councilwoman Tonia Brannan, Tamaha Clerk/Treasurer Jessika Nolend, Choctaw Nation Small Business Development McAlester Center Coordinator Nichole Smith. Second row: Choctaw Small Business Development Advisor Taely Dedmon, Curtis McGuire with the Tamaha Fire Department, John Wells with the Tamaha Fire Department, Haskell County Commissioner Larry Watson.

Tamaha receives town’s first storm warning system

TAMAHA, Okla. - The Choctaw Development Fund contributed $17,975 in matching funds to the Town of Tamaha to purchase the town’s first storm siren.

The Town of Tamaha was awarded $17,975 from a Rural Economic Action Plan (REAP) grant, and the Choctaw Development Fund covered the matching funds to enable the town to purchase a storm siren that will provide early warning in the event of an impending weather event.

“It’s just exceptionally important,” said Tamaha Councilwoman Tonia Brannan. “We didn’t have any type of storm warning system before. What we had was the fire department, who would drive around in the truck and blow the siren, so not only is it safer for the citizens, but it’s safer for our fire department. This grant is a really big deal for us.”

Brannan said the town’s partnership with the Choctaw Nation has been integral to community projects over the years.

“With a history of severe weather across the Choctaw Nation, it’s crucial that our communities have storm warning systems that can alert them at the first sign of storms,” said Angel Drake, Choctaw Development Fund manager. “We were thrilled to see Tamaha receive the REAP grant, and we were happy to contribute to such a vital safety measure for their town.”

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