The Prospective Development (PD) program serves rural communities by offering grant loan project funding to local governments and federally recognized Indian tribes.
Funding availability
The Prospective Development program only serves Rural Counties and Rural Communities (PDF). CERB offers loans at $3 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).
- Interest Rates: 1-3%
- Term: Up to 20 years
- Applicants must:
- Provide a 50% cash match of the total project cost.
- Demonstrate economic feasibility with a supporting study.
Project eligibility
Local governments and federally recognized Indian tribes in rural counties and rural communities may apply for the Prospective Development (PD) program if an economic feasibility study has been conducted and demonstrates that private business development is likely to occur as a result of the public improvements. Other requirements include:
- Evidence that the project will lead to the creation of a significant number of permanent jobs or generate significant private capital investment.
- 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:
- 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 Indian 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
Policies, sample and instructions
- 2025-27 CERB Program Policies (PDF)
- ZoomGrants PD Application Overview/Sample (PDF)
- ZoomGrants Application Information and Tips (PDF)
Project threshold checklist
Prior to submitting an application, please print out and complete the
PD 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