Serving Lincoln County for more than a century!
Serving Lincoln County for more than a century!
DAVENPORT – Per Economic Development Council (EDC) director Margie Hall’s request, the Lincoln County Commissioners approved an updated list of strategic investments for the county and its municipalities at the commissioners’ March 15 meeting. The plan includes investments in business, workforce, transportation and community development.
Some plans are for the whole county, while many are centric to the county’s eight municipalities. The plan includes a description of projects for investment, the project’s location, leaders, estimated cost and possible funding sources.
Not every plan is necessarily an active project, but the list is necessary for various projects to apply for federal funding, Hall noted. Some projects are active, while others are projects that local leaders and/or the EDC see future potential in.
“The US Economic Development Administration (EDA) will not accept funding applications for any project unless the county or local government have an appropriate economic development strategy that includes that specific project,” Hall said.
This is part three of three articles regarding the plan, focusing on eight Reardan, Harrington and Sprague projects. Details are taken directly from the plan provided to the commissioners and The Times. Last week’s article focused on eight Davenport projects and can be read in the March 25 issue of The Times. The previous week’s article focused on seven county-wide projects and can be read on the March 18 issue of The Times.
• Veteran’s memorial park and amphitheater. Investing $1.5 million to construct a memorial honoring World War II Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Joe E. Mann and all regional veterans. The amphitheater would be used by the community and school. Possible funding sources include donations from the community, commitments of assistance from leaders and a capital facilities grant. (Editor’s note: This project is expected to break ground later this spring.)
• Inland Northwest Rail Museum. Investing $15 million to complete complex phases 2-5 and $950,000 for a streetcar gallery. Possible funding sources include the Community Economic Revitalization Board, BNSF, Department of Agriculture-Rural Development, state, Avista and private investment.
• Harrington broadband project. Investing $50,000 to extend fiber to the west end of the business district. Possible funding sources include the city, the Harrington Public Development Authority, LocalTel, Public Works Trust Fund, Community Economic Revitalization Board and Department of Agriculture-Rural Development.
• Flood recovery and mitigation. Investing $1.5 million to repair/replace public infrastructure and apply non-structural mitigation improvements to businesses and properties within the floodplain and on the east end of Sprague Lake. Possible funding sources include the Flood Control Assistance Account Program, Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, Pre-Disaster Mitigation, Department of Ecology, FEMA, Emergency Management Division and NOAA.
• I-90 business park. Investing $1.5 million to extend the city’s water and sewer. Possible funding sources include the Community Economic Revitalization Board, Public Works Trust fund, city and private investment with opportunity zone incentive.
• NuAgra. Investing $10 million for an agricultural fertilizer production and distribution facility on BNSF siding. Possible funding sources include the Community Economic Revitalization Board, Department of Agriculture, Economic Development Administration, Transportation Improvement Board, federal coronavirus relief funds and opportunity zone incentive.
• Gun club expansion. Investing $400,000 for facility development with ADA restrooms, a kitchen and grounds improvements. Possible funding sources include the Department of Veteran’s Affairs, Department of Justice, NRA, Civil Rights Division and Recreation and Conservation Office.
• City park improvements. Investing a to-be-determined amount to replace existing playground equipment. Possible funding sources include the city.
Drew Lawson is the editor of the Davenport Times. He is a graduate of Eastern Washington University.
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