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Washington To Invest $4 Million To Aid Rural Communities Statewide

Source: Governor of Washington
Posted on: 25th November 2009

The Washington State Department of Commerce has awarded nearly $4 million in recovery grants to six rural communities across the state through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program.

The grants will fund construction projects, selected from 41 applications and approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), to promote energy efficiency in essential public and community facilities.

The projects will create or support 75 jobs and help improve the foundation for stronger local economies.

“This is yet another example of Washington state using its Recovery Act funding the way it was meant to,” Gov. Chris Gregoire said. “We are creating jobs while making significant improvements to our communities that will protect our environment and lead to long-term cost savings.”

“Energy efficient public facilities are an essential foundation for cost-effective economic growth,” said Rogers Weed, Director Department of Commerce. “These grants will increase job opportunities and provide a needed infusion of infrastructure funding to these small communities.”

The following projects will be funded through the CDBG grants:

  • The town of Garfield will replace a leaking water main, which will provide reliable water to the town’s businesses, homes and schools. Construction is expected to create or retain 3.5 jobs.
  • The city of Grandview will reconstruct streets and sidewalks, replace water services and install streetscape amenities on Wine Country Road as part of the city’s “Alive” downtown improvement project. Construction is expected to create or retain 12 jobs.
  • Grant County will renovate and expand the county’s Fire District #3 station in George, Washington. The project will allow the fire district to effectively respond to the growing residential, commercial and school needs for fire protection. Construction is expected to create or retain 7 jobs.
  • The city of Long Beach will construct a water treatment plant to provide safe, reliable and efficient drinking water to all residences, businesses and schools. Construction is expected to create or retain 20 jobs.
  • The city of Oroville will make improvements to its sewage treatment facility to provide a reliable and efficient sewer system in compliance with regulatory standards and addressing critical infrastructure needs. Construction is expected to create or retain 25 jobs.
  • The city of Othello will rehabilitate the city’s highest production well to address elevated levels of naturally-occurring fluoride that exceed health standards. Construction is expected to create or retain 10 jobs.

For more information on the projects visit: http://www.commerce.wa.gov/Portals/_CTED/Documents/CDBG%20Projects%20funded%20detail%2011-23-09%20(2).doc

Since 1982, the state CDBG program has awarded more than $419 million in grants for locally prioritized community development projects. These grants have constructed public works and community facilities, funded local housing rehabilitation programs and regional microenterprise assistance programs, and supported public services and local planning activities.

The CDBG program receives an annual federal allocation of approximately $15 million, which is awarded to small cities (under 50,000 population) and rural counties (under 200,000 population), following an annual action plan. For more information, please visit www.commerce.wa.gov/cdbg.

Commerce is administering more than $200 million in Recovery Act funding. For more information, visit http://www.commerce.wa.gov/site/1164/default.aspx. For more information about the Department of Commerce, visit www.commerce.wa.gov.

Washington State is administering the federal Recovery Act investments with an unprecedented level of transparency and accountability. Gov. Gregoire created a Web site (www.recovery.wa.gov) enabling every Washingtonian to see where their tax dollars are going and hold government accountable for the results.

On the federal level, President Barack Obama has appointed Vice President Joe Biden to oversee all states’ recovery efforts and to root out waste and fraud.

This combined oversight will ensure taxpayer dollars are put to good use and recharge the economy.

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