Washington State Legislature completes historic year of Growth Management Act reforms

Washington State Legislature completes historic year of Growth Management Act reforms

As we recently shared in a Special Edition of the Planners’ Newsletter, this past legislative session resulted in the most significant reforms to the Growth Management Act (GMA) in over two decades. The Legislature and the governor went big on issues like housing and climate change and continued the process of updating the state’s growth policy framework. These successes took strong leadership, a broad coalition and bipartisan cooperation. Adding important…

Larger Cities, counties and tribes being allocated funding directly from the U.S. Department of Energy

The U.S. Department of Energy has announced the eligibility of larger cities and counties (PDF), and federally-recognized tribes (PDF) of Washington to apply directly to the federal government for EECBG formula funds. Applications from local governments are due to the federal Department of Energy by January 31, 2024. The DOE’s application template, Energy and Conservation Strategy, states that local governments of all sizes are expected to “coordinate and share information…

Environmental Justice Assessments – Public comment period open through June 8, 2023

Commerce intends to adopt one additional SAA to create a pathway that encourages programs to opt-in to HEAL activities that wouldn’t otherwise be required to do so under the statutorily defined SAA categories. The additional SAA is: Where practicable, as determined by Commerce upon recommendation of the applicable program: projects of existing Commerce grant or loan programs that do not otherwise qualify as a SAA under RCW 70A.02.010(12); and/or Federally-funded…

Virtual Broadband Lunch and Learn on Tuesday 5/16

Join us! Let’s talk about the upcoming Public Works Board Broadband Program funding cycle at our virtual Lunch and Learn, Tuesday 5/16 from 12 PM – 1 PM. The Public Works Board Broadband Team will provide a cycle overview and take questions from our partners about our upcoming funding cycle with an anticipated opening of June 6th. We hope to see you there! Join the Zoom meeting.

PWB Upcoming Broadband Funding Cycle – What to Know, How to Prepare

The Washington State Public Works Board (PWB) is an infrastructure funder, and we anticipate opening a broadband loan cycle on June 6, 2023. If you are a broadband infrastructure manager for local governments, tribes, nonprofit organizations, cooperative associations, multiparty entities, LLC’s, incorporated businesses or partnerships, it’s time to get ready for a funding cycle! Here’s how: Review Recent Statutory Changes, Scoring Criteria, and Threshold Requirements: RCW 43.155.160, effectuated following the…

Virtual funding application workshops May 10-11

The Washington State Public Works Board encourages potential funding applicants to take advantage of virtual application workshops scheduled for May 10 and 11. No registration is required, and attendance is not required to submit a funding application. Virtual workshop meeting links: May 10 workshop from 10 – 11 a.m. (Zoom meeting) May 11 workshop from 10 – 11 a.m. (Zoom meeting) Workshops will be recorded and posted later on pwb.wa.gov. Links to the ZoomGrants…

PWB Meeting Date – June 2, 2023

The Public Works Board’s June Monthly Meeting is June 2, 2023 from 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM. This meeting will be held online via Zoom and in person at the Commerce Headquarters in Olympia (1011 Plum St SE, Olympia, WA 98504). Members of the public are invited to attend. Join the Zoom meeting.

Public Works Board Funding Applications Open Now

The Washington State Public Works Board (PWB) will accept funding applications for infrastructure construction projects now through 11:59 p.m. PT, July 7, 2023. Applications for pre-construction and emergency construction projects will be accepted until all allocated funds are exhausted. Cities, towns, counties, special purpose districts, and quasi-municipal organizations may apply. Eligible infrastructure systems include streets and roads, bridges, domestic water, stormwater, sanitary sewer, and solid waste, recycling and organics. Approximately…