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House approves state loans
for public works projects benefiting 18th District communities
The House of
Representatives today passed a measure that would authorize low-interest
or interest-free state loans for three important public works projects
that will benefit 18th District residents from Ridgefield through Battle
Ground to Washougal.
Under House Bill 1049,
Battle Ground would receive a $10 million loan from the Public Works
Trust Fund toward a project to increase the capacity of its sanitary
sewer-wastewater system, including a boost of more than 50 percent in
its treatment plant capacity. Ridgefield is in line for a $1.7 million
loan to help pay for 6,000 feet of new sewer line and a new pump
station. Washougal’s $794,000 loan would go toward a sanitary sewer
project that would enable the city to meet federal environmental
requirements.
“Projects like these keep on giving. Not only do they create jobs during
the construction phase, but when they’re finished, we see the benefits
to the economy or the environment – sometimes both,” said Rep. Richard
Curtis, R-La Center. “I appreciate that this loan program is geared
toward putting resources directly into the hands of local government.”
“The Ridgefield sewer project is a great example of the benefits the
Public Works Trust Fund program offers, because it’ll allow the city to
expand its service area in a direction that will allow for economic
development,” said
Rep. Ed Orcutt,
R-Kalama. “My priority is to create jobs and preserve the jobs we have,
and building the infrastructure to attract employers is crucial. I’m
always glad to see the new project list each year.”
The 2005 PWTF list covers 64 projects totaling $155 million. The 64
authorized projects fall into five categories: (1) Twenty-eight domestic
water projects totaling $43.8 million; (2) Twenty-seven sanitary sewer
projects totaling $85.5 million; (3) Five storm sewer projects totaling
$9.3 million; (4) Three road projects totaling $13.8 million; and (5)
One solid waste project totaling $2.6 million. House Bill 1049, which
approves the list, now goes before the Senate for approval.
The Legislature created
the Public Works Trust Fund in 1985 to help local governments and
special purpose districts get loan funds to build infrastructure
projects. The Public Works Board, housed within the Department of
Community, Trade and Economic Development, makes low-interest or
interest-free loans to finance the repair, replacement or improvement of
a variety of public works projects, including bridges, roads, water and
sewage systems, and solid waste and recycling facilities.
The Public Works
Assistance Account receives dedicated revenue from utility and sales
taxes on water, sewer service, and garbage collection; a portion of the
real estate excise tax; and loan repayments.
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For more information, contact:
Brendon Wold, Public
Information Officer: (360) 786-7698
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