Port Invests in Small Cities’ Economic Development Projects

Port of Olympia
The Port of Olympia's infrastructure, planning and coordination with local agencies ensures they are ready to help the community in the event of a catastrophic disaster event. Photo courtesy: Port of Olympia
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Bucoda Mayor Alan Carr addresses members of the Thurston  Regional Planning Council in the new Bucoda Community  Center. The Port’s Small Cities Program has helped the town  create a center that contributes to local economic development.
Bucoda Mayor Alan Carr addresses members of the Thurston
Regional Planning Council in the new Bucoda Community
Center. The Port’s Small Cities Program has helped the town
create a center that contributes to local economic development.

Projects in each of Thurston County’s small, incorporated cities will receive an economic boost from Port of Olympia in 2014. Bucoda, Rainier and Yelm will each receive $10,000 and Tenino will receive $5,000. The Port Commission approved the funding awards at their July 14th meeting.

The intention of the Port’s Small Cities Program is to assist with projects that will contribute to local economic development. The program requires an equal cash match from the city. A city receives the funds after completing the project and submitting the required information to the Port.

This was the second year that all four of the County’s small cities–Bucoda, Rainier, Tenino and Yelm–applied for funds through the program. Small cities are defined as incorporated cities within Thurston County with a population of 10,000 or less.

On July 8, the Board of Directors of the Port Economic Development Corporation reviewed Finance Director Jeff Smith’s analysis of the cities’ applications, qualified the eligibility of the projects, and recommended that the Commission approve the funding awards.

Here is how the cities will use their 2014 Small Cities Program funds:

·        Bucoda’s renovation of the historic Oddfellows Building into a community center will receive funds for the fourth year. Two rooms will be restored for a free clinic, museum and other uses.
·        Rainier will use the Port funds to plan for a waste water treatment facility so that commercial development can go forward in a cost-effective manner and generate new jobs.
·       Tenino will enhance the prospects of additional jobs related to tourism by using the Small Cities’ funding award to prepare a Tenino Park Master Plan.
·        Yelm is planning a new community center which will bring activity and regional customers into the historic downtown. The Port funds will assist with project design.

 

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