State board invests more than $1.4 million to grow local economies
State funds support over $19 million in local match and private investment to target job creation in Clallam, Grant, Jefferson, Spokane, and Whatcom counties
The Washington State Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) today approved $1.4 million in public investments, including a $500,000 low-interest loan to support the new AeroTEChangar at Port of Moses Lake where MRJ will conduct flight testing and certification beginning next year.
Mitsubishi Regional Jet announced their choice of Washington State for this new aircraft program during the Farnborough International Air Show in July.
Since 1982, CERB has committed nearly $168 million to local jurisdictions across the state, an investment generating more than 34,000 jobs.
Projects approved for funding at the September 18 CERB meeting:
- Clallam County – $46,875 grant to the Makah Tribe to conduct a feasibility study concentrating on closing the fiber optic cable gap between Clallam Bay and Neah Bay (approximately 19 miles of fiber), which also includes planning activities to create a Makah Telecommunications Business including infrastructure and engineering plans, developing a five year pro forma financial statement, and assembling a business plan. CERB funds are matched by $15,625 in local resources.
- Grant County – $500,000 loan to the Port of Moses Lake to construct the necessary infrastructure to allow Aerospace Testing Engineering and Certification (AeroTEC) to build a wide body aircraft hangar. This infrastructure includes: water and sewer lines, fire suppression, connector pavement, and the undergrounding of overhead power lines along with the relocation of ramp lighting. The Port of Moses Lake will match CERB’s investment with $125,000 in local funds to complete the aircraft hangar. AeroTEC will invest $8,000,000 in the private project and will retain 2 permanent jobs and create 24 permanent jobs, as a result of this investment.
- Jefferson County– $48,750 grant to the City of Port Townsend to conduct a feasibility study to evaluate the economic benefit provided by planned infrastructure investments along Howard Street. The study will include marketing analysis and strategy, zoning and land use analysis, identify measurable economic outcomes and data collection processes along with projected employment figures. CERB funds are matched by $16,250 in local resources.
- Spokane County – $363,000 loan and $175,000 grant to the City of Airway Heights to construct a new 60,000 square foot building, ½ mile of rail siding, and a roadway supporting the expansion of Seaport Steel and Brown Strauss Steel. The City of Airway Heights will match CERB’s investment with $187,000 in local funds to complete the public project. Seaport Steel and Brown Strauss Steel will invest a total of $5,040,000 in the private project and will retain 4 permanent jobs and create 20 permanent jobs, as a result of this investment.
- Whatcom County– $288,425 loan to the City of Lynden for the repair and replacement of sidewalks, curbs, and gutters on Front and 5th streets. The City will also improve the public sanitary sewer lines located in the alley connecting 4th and 5th streets. This project supports Forefront Ventures, LLC, in the redevelopment of Delft Square. The City of Lynden will match CERB’s loan investment with $72,105 in local funds to complete the road repairs. Forefront Ventures, LLC, will invest $6,380,811 in the private project and create 58 permanent jobs as a result of this project.
“These strategic infrastructure investments set a solid foundation for growth, creating or retaining more than 100 jobs and supporting more than $19 million in local matching funds and total private sector commitment to these projects,” said Brian Bonlender, director of the Department of Commerce.
“CERB’s public infrastructure investments help Washington compete for business while encouraging companies prepared to grow and expand,” said CERB Chair Steve Anderson. “These projects play a vital role in our state’s future job and economic growth.”
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. CERB receives administrative support from the Washington State Department of Commerce.