Senator Murray: “This important project won’t just help local businesses expand and grow—it will also create good-paying jobs for Washington workers, and strengthen the economy in East Wenatchee and across the state.”
(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) announced a $5 million grant for the Chelan Douglas Regional Port Authority in East Wenatchee, Washington. Senator Murray helped secure the funding via the American Rescue Plan, which she helped shape and pass, and is administered through the Economic Development Administration (EDA).
This grant will support completion and finishing work on 13 buildings at the Pangborn Industrial Park that were abandoned by a previous developer during the COVID-19 pandemic, providing new space for business expansion and growth. The EDA investment will be matched with $2.5 million in local funds to create and retain jobs in the Wenatchee community, according to grantee estimates.
“I fought to pass the American Rescue Plan because I knew it would make a world of a difference for Washington state families—and for our entire economy. We are seeing that happen in real time at East Wenatchee as we deliver critical resources to the Chelan Douglas Regional Port Authority to provide updated buildings and infrastructure to boost the local economy,” said Senator Patty Murray. “This important project won’t just help local businesses expand and grow—it will also create good-paying jobs for Washington workers, and strengthen the economy in East Wenatchee and across the state.”
“The Chelan Douglas Regional Port would like to thank Senator Murray for her support of a $4.9 million dollar EDA Grant that is going to help fund The Trades District in North Central Washington,” said Jim Kuntz, CEO of the Chelan Douglas Regional Port Authority. “The Trades District will provide access to small business production spaces for underserved populations. Senator Murray’s advocacy was instrumental in securing the needed funding.”
This project is funded under EDA’s American Rescue Plan Economic Adjustment Assistance program, which makes $500 million in Economic Adjustment Assistance grants available to communities across the country. Senator Murray was instrumental in passing the American Rescue Plan and securing billions in funding for Washington state.
Senator Murray was also a leader in passing the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which invests more than $17 billion in port infrastructure and waterways and designates $450 million annually for the next five years for the Port Infrastructure Development Program. Senator Murray also secured changes in the 2022 Water Development Resources Act to invest billions of dollars in strengthening the global competitiveness of ports in Washington state and across the country.
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