State announces $1.6 million in public infrastructure project investments in Cowlitz, Okanogan, Skamania, and Whatcom counties

Cowlitz County – $50,000 grant to the Port of Woodland for the Guild Road Industrial Park Master Plan.  A master planning study to complete the master plan design including the best options for building size and configuration on the site, the engineering and permitting requirements for the site and all other pre-construction planning.  CERB funds are matched by $50,000 in local resources.

Okanogan County – $50,000 grant to the Town of Twisp for the Twisp Business Revitalization Plan.  A feasibility and marketing study to enhance business visibility, to encourage economic development and to attract tourism to the Town of Twisp.  CERB funds are matched by $16,667 in local resources.

Skamania County – $1,000,000 loan and a $300,000 grant to the Port of Skamania County to construct a new 15,000 square foot flex building and related infrastructure to support the expansion of Slingshot Sports, LLC. The Port of Skamania will match CERB’s investment with $500,000 in local funds to complete the public project.  Slingshot Sports, LLC will invest $414,000 in the private project and will create 11 and retain 47 permanent jobs, as a result of this investment.

Whatcom County -$572,500 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 $476,500 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.

“The strategic infrastructure investments set a solid foundation for growth, potentially creating and retaining more than 100 jobs and leveraging more than $7 million in local matching funds and total private sector investment in these projects,” said Brian Bonlender, director of the Department of Commerce.

“CERB projects represent an important partnership between the state and local communities resulting in enhanced economic vitality,” said CERB Chair Steve Anderson. “The projects approved for funding represent the economic, cultural, and geographic diversity of our state. The board is pleased to collaborate with each of these communities to create permanent private sector jobs.”

Since 1982, CERB has committed nearly $206 million to local jurisdictions across the state, an investment generating more than 34,000 jobs.  Private capital investments of $5.7 billion ($27 to $1) return on CERB investment.

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.

Commerce is the lead state agency charged with enhancing and promoting sustainable community and economic vitality in Washington. For more information, visit www.commerce.wa.gov. For information on locating or expanding a business in Washington, visit www.choosewashington.com.

Local Contacts:
Port of Woodland: Jennifer Keene, Executive Director, 360-225-6555
Town of Twisp: Aimee Budrow, Grant Administrator, 509-997-4081
Port of Skamania: John McSherry, Executive Director, 509-427-5484
City of Lynden: Mark Sandal, Public Works Programs and Environmental Coordinator, 360-354-3446