Information

Type: Deliberation

Department: BOCC - Board of County Commissioners

Directors' Update: March 30, 2022

Business Meeting: April 5, 2022

Summary:

Approve a .09 "Distressed Counties" grant agreement with Economic Alliance totaling $350,000 over two years

Publications:

Cover Letter To: Marrianne Schumacher: Marrianne@lewiscountyalliance.org Richard DeBolt: richard@lewiscountyalliance.org

Additional Copies To:

Resolution

WHEREAS, Lewis County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) wishes to approve funding in the amount of $175,000 over two years -- for a grand total of $350,000 -- for the "Economic Alliance operations and implementations of economic development” project, a project that serves future demand and meets the definition of a “public facility” under RCW 82.14.370; and

WHEREAS, the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) is a list of projects maintained by the Economic Alliance (EA) as per RCW 82.14.370; and

WHEREAS, via prior resolutions and this resolution, the BOCC adopts the CEDS as Lewis County's officially adopted county overall economic development plan for the purposes of RCW 82.14.370; and

WHEREAS, the EA’s application for funding of the “Economic Alliance operations and implementations of economic development“ indicates the Economic Alliance will do the following:

• Operate a a countywide economic development program that focuses on the improved economic vitality of the county.
• Work to achieve the goals outlined in the Marketing Plan by increasing the number of jobs available to the community and improving the quality of life.
• Assist in leveraging resources to attract new business and industry.

WHEREAS, the project has been recommended for approval and listing in the CEDS by the Distressed Counties/Rural Economic Development Public Facilities Advisory Committee, the committee created to recommend projects for listing in the CEDS; and

WHEREAS, the EA’s application also is supported by the attached Grant Agreement prepared by the EDC pursuant to the CEDS, which Agreement is incorporated herein by reference; and

WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the citizens of Lewis County that the funds requested by the EA be authorized in order to allow completion of the “Economic Alliance operations and implementations of economic development“ project, a project that supports economic development in our community.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the BOCC (1) approves the “Economic Alliance operations and implementations of economic development” project as a public facility for purposes of RCW 82.14.370 and amends the Community Economic Development Strategies (CEDS) list to include that project in the county’s overall economic development plan; and (2) authorizes Lewis County to enter into the attached Grant Agreement with the EA, for the “Economic Alliance operations and implementations of economic development” project in the amount of  $175,000 a year for two years -- for a grand total of $350,000 -- using monies from the “Distressed Counties Fund," all in accordance with RCW 82.14.370 and applicable law; and

NOW THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the two-year grant will be for work performed from Q2 2022 through Q1 2024.

DONE IN OPEN SESSION this 5th day of April, 2022.