Gov. Brad Henry and legislative leaders agreed Wednesday to appropriate $17 million for state Centennial projects when the Legislature convenes in February.
The agreement would provide $4 million for projects in Oklahoma City, $4 million for Tulsa and $8 million for other projects across the state.
The state Commerce Department will get $1 million to secure contracts for the largest of the events, the governor and legislative leaders said.
Major projects include an event on Nov. 16, 2006, in Tulsa to kick off a year of Centennial events, said Blake Wade, executive director of the Oklahoma Centennial Commission.
Another major project is to finish the Land Run Monument in Oklahoma City, said Lee Allan Smith, chairman of Centennial projects and events.
Oklahoma's 100th birthday is Nov. 16, 2007.
"Several years ago, state leaders made a commitment to fund a world-class centennial in Oklahoma, and this bipartisan funding agreement will allow us to keep that commitment," Henry said. "The many communities across the state that have been raising money for local Centennial projects will get the matching state dollars that were promised them, and the state of Oklahoma will get a Centennial observance that will boost the economy and state pride."
The private sector will provide matching money for projects.
"We're extremely happy and proud they see it as important," Wade said of Henry, House Speaker Todd Hiett, R-Kellyville, and Senate leader Mike Morgan, D-Stillwater.
"I'm as pleased about the $8 million for rural areas as I am for anything," Smith said.
"This plan guarantees the state a memorable 100th birthday celebration while protecting the interests of Oklahoma taxpayers," Hiett said.
