Community Economic Revitalization Board.
The Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) provides financial assistance to local governments and federally recognized tribes for public infrastructure that encourages new business development and economic growth. The Department of Commerce provides administrative support for the CERB.
The CERB is authorized to make direct loans and grants to political subdivisions of the state and to federally recognized tribes to finance public facility projects. Grants are available for eligible planning and construction projects.
Community Economic Revitalization Board Planning Program Grants.
The CERB provides grant funding for studies to evaluate economic development projects. When considering planning grants, the CERB gives priority to projects that could result in a type of project eligible for CERB construction funds. Eligible uses include site-specific plans, studies, and analyses that address environmental impacts, capital facilities, land use, permitting, feasibility, marketing, project engineering, design, and site planning.
The CERB offers grants for planning projects up to 80 percent of the total project cost. The project applicant must match the CERB's funding with at least 20 percent of the total project cost. The maximum award limit for planning grants is $50,000.
Biennial Outcome-Based Evaluations.
The CERB is required to conduct biennial outcome-based evaluations of the financial assistance provided. The evaluations must include a number of elements specific to projects funded by the CERB, including the number and types of businesses assisted by the funded projects. The biennial evaluations must be submitted to the Governor and the Legislature by December 31 of every even-numbered year.
The CERB may award planning program grants to projects for the costs of achieving site readiness. The maximum award limit on planning grants is increased. Until December 31, 2028, there is no maximum award limit. Beginning January 1, 2029, grants may not exceed $200,000. The CERB must be define "achieving site readiness."
The CERB must include in its biennial outcome-based evaluation the total number, percentage, and dollar amount of projects' use of businesses certified by the Office of Minority and Women's Business Enterprises and the Department of Veterans Affairs, as well as businesses not certified by these organizations but that self-report as meeting the requirements of certification.
(In support) Site readiness is an important element for communities to attract and retain businesses. The CERB planning program does not have site readiness as a specific allowed use; this bill would make this explicit. The cap for the CERB planning grants has not been updated since 1999. This bill would lift the cap temporarily to take advantage of federal funding opportunities for rural economic development. This bill is about equity and leveling the playing field for all communities and federally recognized tribes in Washington. There are some communities with large planning projects that cost more than the $50,000 limit and they cannot make the projects work. These projects may have to be broken down into multiple projects with multiple applications, a heavy burden for small communities. The funding cap is a barrier to some communities that are trying to plan for their economic future. Removing the cap on planning grants will make the CERB planning program more inclusive of rural communities. Removing the funding cap will help Washington meet its manufacturing goals and will enable the undertaking of large economic development projects. The CERB investments have led to leveraging of private and federal funding for local projects.
(Opposed) None.