State announces grants for economic feasibility studies in Franklin, Lincoln, Skagit counties
The Washington State Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) today approved $115,000 in grants for economic feasibility studies targeting business growth and job creation in Lincoln County, the Port of Pasco and the Port of Skagit.
Franklin County – $50,000 grant to the Port of Pasco for a feasibility study to develop a target industry proposal specific to recruiting a dairy processing facility to Connell. The final product will provide a framework for providing a publicly owned waste water system, an analysis of other utility needs, which would also include plans to address any deficiencies in those utilities, as well as a logistics analysis looking at raw product, materials and final product distribution. CERB funds are matched by $17,500 in local resources.
Lincoln County – $15,000 grant to Lincoln County for a feasibility study to help intelliPaper® identify an appropriate site for their first permanent facility and headquarters. intelliPaper® is a technology firm that manufactures digitally-enhanced paper products in Lincoln County. Recently, the firm’s Board has considered moving the company to another state. CERB funds are matched by $5,000 in local resources.
Skagit County – $50,000 grant to the Port of Skagit for a feasibility study to develop a buckwheat mill in the Skagit Valley. This will help prepare a business plan and marketing plan for a mill which will produce high quality soba (buckwheat) flour to be sold to Japanese restaurants, soba noodle and other buckwheat bakers. CERB funds are matched by $16,667 in local resources.
“The work enabled by these grants will help these communities make strategic decisions about investments in public facilities that are essential to sustaining economic growth,” said Brian Bonlender, director of the Department of Commerce. “Our mission through CERB is to help local governments and tribes build a foundation and finance their vision for the future.”
“Our role is to be responsive to local needs by making timely and smart investment decisions,” said CERB Chair Steve Anderson. “CERB has a proven track record for being a good steward of public money and an advocate for local communities.”
Since 1982, CERB has committed nearly $206 million to local jurisdictions across the state, an investment generating more than 34,000 jobs.
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.