Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 15, 1997
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Gov. Locke signs bills that give economic boost to communities

OLYMPIA - Gov. Gary Locke today signed legislation designed to bolster the state's economy, especially in rural and distressed communities. The new laws include tax credits and regulatory relief for businesses, extension of unemployment and worker retraining benefits in distressed counties and help for communities where new manufacturing plants are being built.


"These new laws give the state tools to keep and attract jobs that are essential to healthy, thriving communities," said Locke. "From Centralia to Grays Harbor County to Vancouver, we're giving tax and regulatory relief that will attract and keep businesses that provide good jobs for Washington families."


Governor Locke traveled to Aberdeen to sign Senate Bill 5740 which gives incentives for new businesses to locate in economically distressed counties and tax credits to existing businesses that hire new workers. It also gives a .04 percent state sales tax credit to distressed counties to build infrastructure such as sewer and water systems for new businesses and to provide incentives to attract new businesses.


The governor also signed House Bill 1201, an extension of programs designed to help counties and workers suffering from job losses in the timber and salmon industries. Workers in retraining programs will be eligible for extended unemployment benefits and communities will continue to get money for services such as rent and mortgage assistance, food banks and counseling for displaced workers. The bill also includes reauthorization of the Governor's Rural Community Assistance Team and Task Force, which provides a coordinated statewide response in assisting the communities and workers.


Later in the morning, nearly 700 Centralia Steam Plant workers and town leaders watched the governor sign House Bill 1257 which saves the plant from being shut down and workers from being laid off. The new law gives the owners $25 million in tax breaks over the next four years as they buy new equipment to reduce sulfur dioxide pollution from the plant.


Clark County community and business leaders attended a signing ceremony for a bill that will help communities address transportation and workforce training needs when a new manufacturing or research facility is built. House Bill 2170 allows for state help in meeting special needs resulting from projects of statewide significance such as the new WaferTech facility near Vancouver.

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