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Jobs, local revenue are
driving forces behind Alexander bill
to help make Lewis County horse arena a reality
Rep. Gary
Alexander,
R-Thurston County, today introduced a bill to create a public facilities
district (PFD) in Lewis County and collect a share of state sales taxes
to help build and open the proposed Southwest Washington Regional
Equestrian Center (REQ Center).
A group headed by Centralia businessman Larry Hewitt hopes to build a
domed arena in Lewis County to host major rodeo and bull riding events,
as well as other equestrian events and music concerts.
Plans for the REQ Center include a $3.4 million learning center to
provide a continuing education facility for equine and agricultural
sciences. Centralia College, Washington State University and Oregon
State University have expressed interest in integrating their programs
with such facilities, according to Hewitt.
“This is a terrific opportunity to bring some meaningful jobs and local
revenues to Southwest Washington,” Alexander said, “with the recent
closure of the TransAlta facilities, we sure could use this shot in the
arm.”
He figures the $55 million or so needed to build facilities and launch
the REQ Center “will bring a tremendous return on investment.”
Hewitt pointed out that his group is seeking to fund the REQ Center
privately, “but we think it makes sense to seek some state help in light
of the economic benefits this will bring to the whole area.”
Hewitt said he’s been contacted by hotel groups and rodeo promoters who
feel that the REQ Center would attract “huge support.” With sufficient
funding in place, the arena could open in 2008 or 2009, Hewitt said.
Alexander emphasized that his bill would not create a tax, as a PFD is a
way to tap existing state sales tax revenue for financing projects. A
PFD could also enact an admissions and parking tax to help with funding.
For more information on the REQ Center, go to www.thereq.com
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