SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5229
As of January 16, 2023
Title: An act relating to accelerating rural job growth and promoting economic recovery across Washington through site readiness grants.
Brief Description: Accelerating rural job growth and promoting economic recovery across Washington through site readiness grants.
Sponsors: Senators Frame, Warnick, Kuderer, Lovelett, Nobles, Randall, Salomon, Shewmake and Torres.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Business, Financial Services, Gaming & Trade: 1/17/23.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Adds site readiness as an allowable use of the Community Economic Revitalization Board's grants for certain planning activities.
  • Removes the cap for planning grants until December 31, 2028, after which it may not exceed $200,000.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS, FINANCIAL SERVICES, GAMING & TRADE
Staff: Kellee Gunn (786-7429)
Background:

The Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) was formed in 1982 to respond to local economic development in Washington communities. CERB provides funding to local governments and federally recognized tribes for public infrastructure which supports private development or expansion resulting in jobs and capital sector improvements. The Department of Commerce provides administrative support for the program.

 

CERB's funding support may be provided as a loan or a grant. Certain activities, such as facilitating or promoting gambling and projects that would displace existing jobs to another community, are not eligible.


Applications for financial assistance must include certain information regarding job creation, support from local political subdivision and economic development organization or workforce council and establish local match and participation. Prioritization is given to certain projects that demonstrate or provide certain information regarding community benefit, employee benefits, planning, feasibility, and permitting.

 

Grants, not to exceed $50,000, may be awarded to support site-specific plans, studies, and analyses that address environmental impacts, capital facilities, land use, permitting, feasibility, marketing, project engineering, design, site planning, and project debt and readiness.
Summary of Bill:

Costs of achieving site readiness is added as an allowable use of CERB's grant funding for site-specific plans, studies, and analyses. The $50,000 cap for grants is removed until December 31, 2028, after which it may not exceed $200,000.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on January 10, 2023.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.