Information

Type: Deliberation

Department: BOCC - Board of County Commissioners

Directors' Update: April 1, 2026

Business Meeting: April 7, 2026

Summary:

Approve $237,775.35 Distressed Counties (.09) grant to the Napavine School District for its Ag Building Infrastructure project

Publications:

Cover Letter To: Todd Chaput, Economic Alliance: todd@lewiscountyalliance.org David Rutherford, Napavine CTE Director and Grant Writer: drutherford@napavineschools.org

Additional Copies To:

Resolution

WHEREAS, the Lewis County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) wishes to approve funding in the amount of $237,775.35 for the Napavine School District's “Ag Building Infrastructure” 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 Lewis County Economic Alliance 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 Napavine School District’s application for funding of the “Ag Building Infrastructure” 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 Distressed Counties/Rural Economic Development Public Facilities Advisory Committee recommends approving a grant in the amount of $237,775.35; and

WHEREAS, the Napavine School District’s application is supported by the attached grant agreement prepared by Economic Alliance pursuant to the CEDS, and the 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 Napavine School District be authorized in order to allow completion of the “Ag Building Infrastructure” project, a project that supports economic development in Lewis County.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the BOCC (1) approves the “Ag Building Infrastructure” project as a public facility for purposes of RCW 82.14.370 and amends the 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 Napavine School District for the “Ag Building Infrastructure” project in the amount of $237,775.35 using monies from the “Distressed Counties Fund,” all in accordance with RCW 82.14.370 and applicable law.

DONE IN OPEN SESSION this 7th day of April, 2026.