BOWLIN SPRINGS, Okla. — Cherokee Nation and Craig County officials signed a letter of intent on Tuesday to partner on over $400,000 in improvements to South 4280 Road in Bowlin Springs.
“Cherokee Nation has made major investments in Bowlin Springs in recent years,” said Cherokee Nation Council member Kendra McGeady of Vinita. “Partnering on an asphalt overlay on South 4280 Road will mean improved safety and accessibility in a very active Cherokee community.”
McGeady, and Council of the Cherokee Nation Deputy Speaker Kevin Easley, Jr, Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr., and County Commissioner Lowell Walker signed a letter of intent for the partnership at the tribe’s community center on Tuesday.
The project calls for up to $320,000 from Cherokee Nation and up to $100,000 from Craig County for the project. Cherokee Nation’s commitment includes funds from Councilor McGeady’s District 11 road funds, Deputy Speaker Easley’s District 14 road funds and new funding available under the tribe’s Public Health and Wellness Fund Act.
“Many of my constituents in northern Rogers County use 4280 Road daily, including to get groceries or attend activities at the community center,” said Deputy Speaker Easley. “I’m proud to work with Councilor McGeady, Chief Hoskin and Commissioner Walker on such an impactful project.”
In 2023, Cherokee Nation opened a $2 million community center in Bowlin Springs, operated by People’s Community, Inc. Since then the tribe has made additional improvements to the site.
Peoples’ Community, Inc, is a local non-profit that works with Cherokee Nation to provide cultural, educational and social activities in the Bowlin Springs Community. The organization’s elder nutrition lunch program serves an average of over 70 elders per day.
“This is another great partnership with Cherokee Nation that helps us stretch dollars countywide,” said Commissioner Walker. “This project will make an important route to Bowlin Springs safer.”
The project includes an asphalt overlay on a 1.5 mile stretch of gravel road south from Bowlin Springs Grocery Store to East 290 Road.
The overlay will connect with the existing asphalt portion of South 4280 Road north to East 270 Road, an asphalt road providing access to the community building. The county expects to complete the work in 2026.
“Like so many of our great infrastructure projects across Cherokee Nation, the coming improvements to South 4280 Road are a result of Cherokee Council members identifying needs in their districts,” said Chief Hoskin. “This project comes directly from the leadership of Councilor McGeady, Deputy Speaker Easley and Commissioner Walker, and they make a great team.”
The community of Bowlin Springs was founded in the Cherokee Nation in 1875, and is located in southwest Craig County.