State funds will leverage nearly $130 million in private, local and other state resources, expect to create more than 125 family wa



Having trouble viewing this email? View it online [ [link removed] ]




CERB Logo


Nov. 17, 2022

News Release

*Washington Community Economic Revitalization Board invests $11.9 million in six counties*

*"State"**" funds will leverage nearly $130 million in private, local and other state resources and are expected to create more than 125 family wage jobs."*

OLYMPIA, WA ? The Washington State Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) today approved $8.75 million in low interest loans and $3.2 million in grants for economic development and public infrastructure improvements intended to spur broadband deployment, business growth and job creation in communities throughout the state.

Among the projects supported are a new Canature USA Freeze Dry pet food production facility in Lynden and a clean energy project at the Port of Sunnyside where Pacific Ag Renewables intends to produce renewable natural gas from agricultural waste.


* *Adams County *? $50,000 grant to the *City of Othello *for the ?Economic Feasibility Study and Marketing Plan? that will assist the Othello community in expanding its economy. CERB funds are matched by $12,500 in local funds.
* *Franklin County *? $50,000 grant to the *City of Pasco *for the ?Comprehensive Economic Development Strategic Plan? to help the city and region better plan and respond to continued growth and development. CERB funds are matched by $50,000 in local resources.
* *Kitsap County *? $50,000 grant to the *Port of Bremerton *for the ?Sewer Replacement Planning? project consisting of design and engineering needed for the replacement of approximately 1,400 linear feet of failing sewer line. CERB funds are matched by $12,500 in local resources.
* *Skagit County *- $1.8 million grant to the* Port of Skagit County *for the ?Sauk-Suiattle Broadband Connectivity Project to construct a dark fiber backbone from Darrington to the Sauk-Suiattle tribe, connecting premises within 1,000 feet of Highway 530 and extending to Skagit County radio tower facilities nearby on Christian Camp Road. This project will create 90 high-speed internet connections. CERB funds are matched by $450,000 in state resources.
* *Whatcom County *? $5 million loan to the *City of Lynden *for the ?West Main and Berthusen Road Roundabout? project including construction of a roundabout, street improvements, stormwater facilities, and LED street lighting. An estimated 74 full-time equivalent (FTE) staff are expected to be created by this project. CERB funds leveraged $40 million in private investment by Canature USA Freeze Dry. The company intends to build the largest freeze-dried pet food production facility in North America. CERB funds are matched by $1.125 million in local resources.
* *Yakima County *? $25 million loan and a $1.25 million grant to the *Port of Sunnyside *for the ?Pacific Ag Project? consisting of construction of public utilities to include sanitary sewer, sanitary force main, sanitary sewer lift station, a water main for domestic and fire flow, stormwater, and roadway improvements extended to the site. An estimated 55 FTE are expected to be created by this project. CERB funds leveraged $80 million in private investment by Pacific Ag, for a facility to produce renewable natural gas from agricultural waste that will then be injected into the interstate natural gas pipeline. CERB funds are matched by $4.7 million in local resources.

?Since 1982, the Community Economic Revitalization Board has invested more than $223 million across the state, an investment generating over 39,000 jobs. The jobs and economic growth that result from these projects are imperative, especially as the economic landscape is shifting. These investments will help build stronger communities for our Washington residents.? said CERB Chair Michael Echanove.

The release of CERB funds to these projects is contingent upon each applicant completing specific pre-contract requirements, such as finalizing other funding sources and obtaining necessary permits. If you are a Washington local government or federally recognized Tribe and have project ideas, please reach out to Janea Stark <[email protected]> or Leslie Wolff <[email protected]>.

Since 1982, CERB has committed nearly $220 million to local jurisdictions across the state, an investment generating more than 39,000 jobs, and private capital investment of $6.3 billion ? a $29-to-$1 return on CERB investments. Read the 2020 CERB Legislative Report [ [link removed] ] and the 2020 CERB Rural Broadband Legislative Report [ [link removed] ] to learn more.

As Washington?s strategic economic development resource, CERB is focused on creating private sector jobs in partnership with local governments by financing infrastructure improvements. These improvements encourage new business development and expansion. In addition to funding construction projects, CERB provides limited funding for studies that evaluate high-priority economic development projects.

Learn more about CERB at www.commerce.wa.gov/cerb [ [link removed] ].

###

MEDIA CENTER [ [link removed] ]

Media contacts:

Janea Stark <[email protected]>, CERB Executive Director & Tribal Liaison, (360) 252-0812

Penny Thomas <[email protected]>, Commerce Communications, (360) 704-9489

Local Contacts:

*City of Othello: *Shawn Logan, Mayor/City Administrator, (509) 488-5686, [email protected]

*City of Pasco:* Mike Gonzalez, Community & Economic Development Manager, (509) 850-4748, [email protected]

*Port of Bremerton:* Arne Bakker, Chief Operating Officer, (360) 813-0814, [email protected]

*Port of Skagit County: *Sarah Hastings, Grants/Contracts Administrator (360) 757-0011, [email protected]

*City of Lynden:* Steve Banham, Public Works Director, (360) 354-3446, [email protected]

*Port of Sunnyside:* Jay Hester, Executive Director, (509) 839-7678, [email protected]






Stay connected

subscribe [ [link removed] ]twitter [ [link removed] ]facebook [ [link removed] ]


About Commerce

Commerce works with local governments, businesses, community-based organizations and tribes to strengthen communities. The department?s diverse portfolio of more than 100 programs and effective public and private partnerships promote sustainable community and economic development to help all Washingtonians thrive. For more information, visit [link removed]. For information on locating or expanding a business in Washington, visit choosewashingtonstate.com [ [link removed] ].

Update your subscriptions, modify your password or email address, or stop subscriptions at any time on your Subscriber Preferences Page [ [link removed] ]. You will need to use your email address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please visit subscriberhelp.govdelivery.com [ [link removed] ].

This service is provided to you at no charge by Washington Department of Commerce [ [link removed] ].

Subscribe [ [link removed] ] | Manage Preferences [ [link removed] ] | Unsubscribe All [ [link removed] ] | Help [ [link removed] ] | Contact us [ [link removed] ]





This email was sent to [email protected] using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Washington State Department of Commerce ? 1011 Plum Street SE, P.O. Box 42525 ? Olympia, WA 98504-2525 GovDelivery logo [ [link removed] ]