Contact Information

  • Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

State board invests nearly $2 million to grow local economies

For Immediate Release: January 21, 2011

OLYMPIA � Gov. Chris Gregoire and the Washington State Community Economic Revitalization Board today announced more than $1.8 million in public investments to help business growth and support more than 130 jobs in Benton and Chelan counties.

�These investments help strengthen the partnership between business and government, leading to job creation and economic development,� said Gregoire. �They also ensure Washington businesses succeed and help our state stay competitive even during tough economic times.�

Since 1982, CERB has committed nearly $150 million to local jurisdictions across the state, an investment generating more than 36,000 jobs. The board approved the following projects at their January meeting yesterday afternoon in Olympia:

� Benton County - $829,766 loan to the City of West Richland to purchase land and construct infrastructure improvements for a new manufacturing facility to be built by Shelby Supercars. Shelby Supercars is an internationally known automobile manufacturer, specializing in high performance vehicles. This project will allow the company to consolidate and expand its current operations in West Richland, despite current efforts to recruit the company to relocate out of state. Shelby Supercars will invest $1.5 million in their private facility and create and retain 54 jobs as a result of this project. CERB�s investment is matched by $92,196 in local funds.

� Chelan County - $1,000,000 loan to the Port of Chelan County for infrastructure development to make land available for new and growing businesses on port property, creating an estimated 80 jobs. CERB funds are matched by more than $2.9 million in local funds.

The release of CERB funds to these projects is contingent upon each applicant completing specific pre-contract requirements, such as finalizing other funding sources and obtaining necessary permits.

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.

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Local contacts:
Ruth Swain, Economic Development Director, City of West Richland, 509.967.5902
Laura Jaecks, Capital Projects Manager, Port of Chelan County, 509.661.3118