LEGISLATORS REQUEST FUNDING FOR IMPORTANT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS IN QUINCY, WA AND GEORGE, WA

Funding requests for both projects have received widespread endorsements and support from various companies, businesses, organizations, and government entities in Grant County & Central Washington

Sen. Judy Warnick and Rep. Tom Dent have submitted Capital Budget funding requests during the 2016 Washington State Legislative Session for two very important economic development and infrastructure projects in Grant County, Washington.

In particular, Sen. Warnick and Rep. Dent have requested Capital Budget funding from the Washington State Legislature for the following projects in Quincy and George:

• $1 million for the “Quincy Valley Business and Conference Center Project”. The funding would help the Port of Quincy create a multi-use business & conference center facility in Quincy, Washington that would support meetings, conferences, educational and job training opportunities for the residents and businesses in Quincy and surrounding areas. Given the strong economic, tourism and business growth that has occurred in Quincy over the past few years as a result of the many companies and wineries that have located in the area, there is a critical need for a modern, state-of-the-art conference and meeting facility. The Port of Quincy has already acquired two adjacent buildings in Quincy. If the funding request is successful, the Port plans to connect the two buildings, and renovate and upgrade the interior and exterior of both buildings. Additionally, the funding would also help the Port to improve or add the following to create a state-of-the-art meeting and conference center: high speed fiber optics, energy efficient lighting, wireless internet connectivity, new HVAC & A/V systems, flexible wall panels & acoustical ceilings, modern kitchen & bathroom facilities, outside digital reader board, repave the parking lot, and better exterior lighting. Big Bend Community College, Quincy High School, GWATA (Greater Wenatchee Area Technology Association) and many other entities have expressed interest in utilizing the future upgraded facility to hold classes, conferences, meetings, etc., and/or do vocational training.

• $500,000 for the “Industrial Park No. 5 Infrastructure Improvement Project”. The funding would help the City of George to construct a new street, and expand an existing potable water system and an existing domestic sanitary sewer system to improve infrastructure for three new businesses that want to locate in the George, Washington area. The three businesses would create approximately 165 new jobs and provide millions of dollars of private sector investment into the local Grant County/Central Washington economy. The total estimated cost for these street and infrastructure improvements in George is $1,200,000. In addition to the $500,000 being requested from Washington State Legislature, the City of George has sought or is seeking funding from a number of other sources including the Grant County Strategic Infrastructure Program, the State Community Economic Revitalization Board, and the Community Development Block Grant Economic Opportunity Grant Program. Industrial Park No. 5 is north of Interstate 90 and west of State Route 281 and within the City of George’s corporate limits.

The funding requests by Sen. Warnick and Rep. Dent for these important projects in Quincy and George have received widespread support in Grant County and Central Washington from various companies, businesses, organizations, individuals, government officials and/or other entities, including but not limited to: Big Bend Community College, City of Quincy, Grant County Association of Realtors, Grant County Board of Commissioners, Grant County Economic Development Council, Grant County Fire District No. 3, Quincy School District, Quincy Valley Chamber of Commerce, Quincy Valley Medical Center, etc.