CERB Committed Private Partner Program
The Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) was formed in 1982 to respond to local economic development in Washington communities. CERB provides funding to local governments and federally-recognized tribes for public infrastructure which supports private business growth and expansion. Eligible projects include domestic and industrial water, storm water, wastewater, public buildings, telecommunications, and port facilities.
Committed Private Partner Program Overview
Loans and grants for construction of public infrastructure necessary for private business expansion. The Committed Private Partner (CPP) Program requires a private business commitment as part of the application.
Requirements include:
• Evidence that a private development or expansion is ready to occur and that the private development is contingent upon the approval of CERB funds.
• The project must either create a significant number of permanent jobs and/or generate significant private capital investment.
• The median hourly wage of the private sector jobs created, after the project is completed, must exceed the current countywide median wage.
Applicants must also demonstrate the need for CERB assistance and that no other timely source of funding is available.
Eligible Activities
Planning, acquisition, construction, repair, reconstruction, replacement, rehabilitation, or improvement of eligible systems:
• Bridges/Roads/Transportation
• Buildings or Structures
• Domestic and Industrial Water
• Earth Stabilization
• Electricity/Natural Gas
• Port Facilities
• Rail
• Sanitary Sewer
• Stormwater
• Telecommunications
• Research, testing, training, and incubation facilities in designated Innovation Partnership Zones (IPZs) authorized under RCW 4.330.270.
Ineligible Activities
CERB may not finance projects which:
• Result in retail development
• Facilitate gambling
• Displace jobs from one part of the state to another
• Are outside the applicant’s jurisdiction
Eligible Jurisdictions
• Cities and Towns
• Counties
• Federally Recognized Indian Tribes
• Municipal Corporations
• Quasi-Municipal Corporations
• Public Port Districts
• Special Purpose Districts
Funding Availability
CERB offers loans at $5 million maximum per project. Grants are available up to 25% of the total award, determined by the underwriting process and debt service coverage ratio (DSCR). Applicants must provide a cash match of 20% of the total project cost.
Interest Rates: 1-3%
Term: Up to 20 years
Application Information
Applications for all of CERB’s funding programs are considered on an ongoing basis. The Board meets every two months to consider projects and make funding decisions.
Prior to submitting an application, please print out and complete the
Committed Private Partner Threshold Checklist. This will help ensure that the submitted application is complete.
To see what the actual application looks like, download the
ZoomGrants Committed Private Partner Application Overview (PDF)
Median Wage FAQ (PDF)
Median Wage by County (PDF)
Median Wage CALCULATOR (xls)
Match CALCULATOR (xls)
Governor’s Executive Order 21-02 (Website)
Cultural Resource Review (21-02) Process (PDF)
EZ Project Review Form (PDF)
Federally Recognized Tribes in Washington State (Website)
DAHP Cultural Resources Reporting Guidelines (PDF)
Hiring A Preservation Consultant (Website)
Program links
Do you have a project?
Potential applicants must contact staff to discuss their project, prior to receiving a link to the online application.
Need help?
Janea Stark
Executive Director & Tribal Liaison
Janea.Stark@commerce.wa.gov
Phone: 360-252-0812
Barbara Smith
Contract Manager
Barbara.Smith@commerce.wa.gov
Phone: 360-764-9820