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Legislature says yes to public
facilities district in Lewis County
Alexander bill is path to securing revenue toward
building REQ Center
Encouraging news for Lewis
County came tonight from the House of Representatives, which passed
Rep. Gary Alexander's
legislation to create a county public facilities
district. The vote completes the Legislature's work on
House Bill 2388, which now goes to the governor for her
consideration.
"This bill is about
creating new economic opportunities, about finding a new way to restore prosperity to
communities that have been
hit hard by the loss of 600 family-wage jobs," said Alexander,
R-Thurston County.
"Lewis County's situation
is well known within the Legislature. The county's leaders are intent on
diversifying the economy of their area, and I'm confident they will make
good use of this new tool."
Alexander introduced his
PFD legislation three days into the 2007 legislative session, in
response to the sudden closure of the TransAlta mine north of Centralia
in late 2006.
"The Southwest Washington
Regional Equestrian Center being proposed for Lewis County's I-5
corridor would be a big boost in so many ways, from increasing tourism
to potential agribusiness and education opportunities," Alexander
explained. "A high level of private investment is lined up, and a PFD
has the bonding authority and access to revenue needed to help put the
pieces together."
House Bill 2238 was passed
by the House five weeks ago. The Senate passed it April 10 after making
changes. The two chambers worked out their differences with an
agreed-upon amendment which both passed today.
The REQ Center, a domed
arena estimated to cost around $60 million, would host major rodeo and
bull riding events, as well as other equestrian events and music concerts.
Centralia businessman Larry Hewitt, head of the REQ Center group, says
the facility would include a learning center to provide a continuing
education facility for equine and agricultural sciences.
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Contact: Rep. Alexander,
(360) 786-7990
Eric Campbell, House Republican Communications, (360) 786-7720
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