Gov. Gregoire applauds signs of flood recovery in Lewis County

For Immediate Release: May 28, 2008

CHEHALIS � In a sign of the ongoing recovery following the devastating December 2007 flooding in Lewis County, a longtime local business in Chehalis reopened its doors today. Gov. Chris Gregoire toured the newly remodeled store and lauded the people of Lewis County for their work to recover from the storm�s extensive damage.

�This darkened store was a highly visible symbol of the suffering in this county, where so many people lost their homes and their livelihoods in this tragedy,� Gregoire said at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the reopening of the Chehalis Kmart. �Today, this essentially brand-new Kmart stands as another kind of symbol � a symbol of the courageous, �can-do� spirit of the people of Lewis County.�

The Kmart was one of many Lewis County businesses shut down after rain and wind storms caused widespread flooding in southwest Washington. Four feet of water and mud ruined most of the inventory. Flooding damaged or destroyed hundreds of other businesses and homes �including several farms � in Centralia and Chehalis, and damaged many local roads and bridges.

Gregoire pledged ongoing support as Lewis County continued its recovery efforts.

�The state will work with the community to find a solution that works for the community,� she said. �We won�t just impose a solution on you.�

On May 21, Gregoire announced $1 million in loans and grants to the Port of Chehalis to develop 125 acres of industrial property, bringing new jobs and a bigger tax base to Lewis County. The project includes plans for developing wetlands to reduce the risk of flooding and improve habitat.

The governor�s recovery task force is overseeing the repair of infrastructure, getting people back into their homes, providing one-stop help for jobs and social services needs, removing debris and providing funds to help small businesses.

The 2008 state supplemental budget includes $50 million for flood-control planning along the Chehalis River with the Army Corps of Engineers, and $2 million from the governor�s economic development strategic reserve account has been tapped to help small businesses.

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