Contact Information

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

State board invests more than $2 million to spark job creation

For Immediate Release: July 21, 2008

OLYMPIA � The State Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) today announced more than $2 million in public investments to create new jobs and boost business growth in Columbia, Spokane and Whitman counties. The 20-member board is comprised of representatives of large and small businesses from across the state and representatives of state, local and tribal government.

�Infrastructure investments are a fundamental piece of community growth,� Gov. Chris Gregoire said. �This funding will help strengthen the economy of these counties by creating family-wage jobs and helping businesses thrive.�

The revitalization board, which receives administrative support from the state Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development (CTED), approved support for the following projects in:

� Spokane County � $2 million in loan and grant funds to the Spokane International Airport for building and infrastructure improvements. This investment will support the expansion of Cascade Aerospace (USA), Inc., an aviation maintenance and repair company. Cascade Aerospace is expected to invest more than $2 million in its facility and create 138 jobs. Local funds of $950,000 will match CERB funds.

� Columbia County � $50,000 grant to the Port of Columbia for a feasibility study of the development of an eco-industrial park for companies specializing in value-added agricultural products. The proposed park would support the local agriculture industry by allowing the port, now at maximum tenant capacity, to expand. The CERB grant is matched by $30,000 in local funds.

� Whitman County � $25,000 grant to the Port of Whitman County for a feasibility study of the scope and cost of expanding telecommunications fiber infrastructure. The proposed expansion would stretch from Pullman to Spokane, along the state-owned Palouse Coulee City Railroad right of way, and could provide significant short- and long-term economic benefits to rural Whitman County. Local funds totaling $25,000 will match CERB funds.

�CERB�s mission of creating jobs and building sustainable economies statewide is vital to Washington,� said Juli Wilkerson, CTED director. �Our department is excited to help support the growth and economy of each of these counties.�

The revitalization board is Washington�s strategic economic development resource, focused on creating and retaining private sector jobs in partnership with local governments. It finances public infrastructure to encourage new development and expansion in targeted areas. These investments include industrial water and sewer, telecommunications, electricity and natural gas infrastructure improvements. The revitalization board funds also build industrial wastewater treatment facilities, roads, bridges, general-purpose industrial buildings and port facilities.

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.

The department is the lead state agency charged with improving and promoting sustainable community and economic vitality in Washington. Since July 2005 the CERB board has awarded 57 grants, totaling $27.2 million.

Local contacts:

Jennie Dickinson, manager, Port of Columbia, 509-382-2577
Gratton �Neal� O�Neal Sealock, director, Spokane International Airport, 509-455-6419
Joseph R. Poire, executive director, Port of Whitman County, 509-397-3791