Loans and grants for construction of public infrastructure necessary for private business expansion.
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
Project eligibility
The 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.
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
- Cities and towns
- Counties
- Federally recognized tribes
- Municipal corporations
- Quasi-municipal corporations
- Public port districts
- Special purpose districts
How to apply for funding
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.
Do you have a project? Potential applicants must contact CERB staff to discuss their project, prior to receiving a link to the online application.
Application due dates
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.
Policies, sample and instructions
- 2025-27 CERB Program Policies (PDF)
- ZoomGrants CPP Application Overview/Sample (PDF)
- ZoomGrants Application Information and Tips (PDF)
Project threshold checklist
Prior to submitting an application, please print out and complete the
CPP Project Threshold Checklist (PDF). This will help ensure that the submitted application is complete.
Additional resources
- Median Wage FAQ (PDF)
- Median Wage by County (PDF)
- Median Wage Calculator (Excel)
- Match Calculator (Excel)
- Governor’s Executive Order 21-02
- Cultural Resource Review (21-02) Process (PDF)
- EZ Project Review Form (PDF)
- Federally Recognized Tribes in Washington State
- DAHP Cultural Resources Reporting Guidelines (PDF)
- Hiring A Preservation Consultant