STATE OF WASHINGTON
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY,TRADE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
128 - 10th Ave SW Ÿ PO Box 42525 Ÿ Olympia, Washington 98504-2525 Ÿ (360) 725-4000 Ÿ Fax (360) 586-8440
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: January 16, 2004
Contact:
Kate Engle Rothschild, CERB Program Manager, 360.725.4058
Sharon Wallace, Communications Director, 360.725.4019
Kenneth O’Hollaren, Executive Director, Port of Longview, 360.425.3305
Jim Haguewood, Executive Director, Clallam County EDC, 360.457.7793
State Investment Boost Jobs in Cowlitz County;
Planning Grants and Future Economic Growth in Clallam County
OLYMPIA—State investments in Cowlitz and Clallam counties will boost new job creation and future business growth through economic feasibility plans, as a result of actions taken at the January 15, 2004, meeting of the Washington State Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB).
In Cowlitz County, CERB conditionally approved a $1 million low-interest loan for the Port of Longview to help construct a second rail line and spurs for the future location of a vehicle assembler/processor of major automotive manufacturers.
"The State of Washington’s investment through the CERB program will allow us to attract new rail dependent industry to the Port’s marine industrial park," said Ken O’Hollaren, Executive Director, Port of Longview.
The investment of CERB funds follows on the heels of the Port of Longview’s $45 million investment to develop the former Long-Bell and International Paper Company forest products 300-acre mill site. In addition to the port’s $45 million investment that has already occurred, an additional $654,000 of port funds are partnered with the $1 million of CERB funds for public facility costs.
In Clallam County, CERB conditionally approved two economic feasibility planning grants totaling $75,000 to assess establishing a public cold storage facility in Port Angeles, and a shellfish and ground fish (cod, halibut, rockfish) marine aquaculture and fishery industry in Port Angeles.
Identifying the need for the two studies stems from several years of work by Clallam Networks, a team of economic development cluster groups that have formed a synergistic force in Clallam County of community leaders from local governments, school districts, economic development, and businesses, with the goal of assessing the needs of businesses to spur future growth and job creation.
The Marine Services and Agriculture Cluster teams identified a public cold storage facility as a missing infrastructure element to support the creation of value-added business opportunities with local products. The study will evaluate the feasibility of establishing a shellfish and ground fish marine aquaculture and fishery industry in Port Angeles, evaluating the market potential, projected revenue, long-term costs and applicable cold storage technology to determine operational feasibility.
"On behalf of Clallam Networks, I appreciate the support of the CERB Board for these feasibility study projects. The preliminary research and assessment that was conducted by industry leaders has set a strong foundation for ultimately seeing these projects turn into reality," said Jim Haguewood, Executive Director, Clallam County Economic Development Council.
"CERB has a 20-year history of investing in Washington’s economic future by encouraging new development and expansion plus retaining existing jobs in the state," said Judith Boekholder, CERB Chair. "The project in Longview is a good example of the applicability of the state’s business development focused public infrastructure program as an economic development tool to support business growth in the state."
CERB is the state’s economic development resource strategically focused on helping business and industry create and retain jobs in partnership with local government. CERB finances publicly owned economic development infrastructure to encourage new development and expansion in areas where growth is desired. These improvements include industrial water and sewer, industrial wastewater treatment facilities, telecommunications, electricity, natural gas, roads, bridges, general-purpose industrial buildings and port facilities.
Management support for CERB is provided by the state Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development – Washington’s lead agency charged with enhancing and promoting sustainable community and economic vitality throughout the state.
For more information regarding the CERB program please visit www.cted.wa.gov/cerb.
For further information regarding the CERB loan for the Port of Longview contact Communications/Public Affairs, 360-425-3305. |
