News Releases
Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - April 8, 2003
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Gov. Gary Locke Promotes ‘Jobs Now’ Plan in Ilwaco, Tours Port and Leads Economic Development Roundtable

Gov. Gary Locke today visited Ilwaco as part of a statewide “Jobs Now” tour, promoting his capital budget and economic recovery plan to create jobs now, spur the state’s economy and build for the future.

Locke toured the Port of Ilwaco with Port Manager Mack Funk and Port Commission Chair Frank Unfred, and helped celebrate 75 years of success at Pacific County ports by cutting an anniversary cake. The governor also attended a Pacific County economic development roundtable at the Ilwaco Heritage Museum. Attendees included members of the Pacific County Economic Development Council; various port, county and city officials; cranberry growers and crab fishermen; and members of the county’s business and education communities.

During his visit to Ilwaco, Locke once again called on the Legislature to pass his capital budget as soon as possible. “We have an immediate opportunity to make a real difference in creating jobs,” he said. “Jobs that will help the Washington citizens who receive them, and jobs that will help all Washington citizens by building needed facilities and bringing other vital state facilities up to date or up to standard.”

Locke’s capital budget supports new private-sector jobs at an annual average of 13,400 construction and related jobs during the next two fiscal years, and 11,000 jobs in the following two fiscal years.

These jobs would come from the $2.5 billion in spending for new public-works funding, including $223 million in new construction at universities and $312 million at community and technical colleges through bonding against lottery revenue and general obligation bonds.

The governor’s capital budget calls for a re-appropriation of $1.5 million for the Washington State Historical Society’s Lewis and Clark Station Camp Park Project in Pacific County. It also recommends a re-appropriation of $17.7 million for the state Department of Transportation’s Columbia River Dredging.

In 2002, the state Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development (CTED) awarded the City of Ilwaco $300,000 of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) resources to complete essential upgrades to its water treatment plant. The grant, which is nearly completed, funded the installation of new electronic and computer systems and a new filter unit. Upgrades to the plant were needed to assure a continuous supply of potable water to the city. CDBG resources are also being used to complete a water system plan as required by the state Department of Health.

Locke also stressed his seven-point economic recovery plan during today’s visit. His plan focuses on:
·Creating thousands of new construction jobs through building new schools, higher education facilities and public works projects;
·Capitalizing on Washington’s competitive advantage in international trade;
·Promoting state businesses and improving the climate for new business;
·Giving communities more effective tools to build Washington businesses;
·Promoting Washington’s emerging technology strengths;
·Improving education to create and fill skilled jobs for today’s competitive marketplace;
·Pushing Congress and the President for an economic stimulus package that helps our state’s workforce.

The governor began his “Jobs Now” tour in February. He has made stops in Bremerton, Wenatchee, Bellingham, Vancouver, the Tri-Cities, Mount Vernon and Seattle. He plans to visit Aberdeen, Spokane, Yakima, Federal Way and other cities in the coming weeks.



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