To provide $2,550,000 from the general fund to the department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development for the fiscal year ending in June 2007. Moneys will be used for the public facility construction loan revolving account for purposes already established under state law, but also for projects that help retain the state’s military-related private-sector businesses. Appropriates $4.5 million GF-S to the public facility construction loan revolving account. See companion HB 1091.   Official Text and Analysis.

By Victor Vasquez, CTED; Dennis Townsend, CERB Bd. member; Scott Talyor, WA Public Port Assoc.; Dave Ripp, Port of Woodland; Ron Newbry, WA economic Development Assn.; Kevin Varness, Grays Harbor County; Rick Slunacker, Assoc. General Contractors. They testified that the bill will provide needed infrastructure funds. CERB targets key high wage industries and is the most important economic development program in the state.

To remove a section of the bill that would have allowed CTED to enter into an agreement with CERB to implement the small business incubator program and make expenditures from the small business incubator account.