PENINSULA: Senator Murray Secures Critical Investments for Peninsula Education, Health Care and Workforce Priorities

(Washington,
D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member of the Labor,
Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (LHHS) Subcommittee,
announced that she has included funding to boost Peninsula education and
workforce priorities in the Fiscal Year 2011 LHHS Appropriations bill.

“In
the 21st century economy, it is critical that we continue investing in local
projects that train our workforce, teach our students, and boost our economy in
communities throughout the Peninsula,” said Senator Murray. “These investments will
fund community priorities like hospital expansions and an education center. I
was proud to fight for these local investments, and I’m going to continue
working to help Washington state communities meet the needs of their families.”

Having
passed the LHHS Subcommittee, the bill will now go to the full Senate
Appropriations Committee before going to the full Senate for consideration.

The
following projects were included in the bill for the Peninsula:

Grays Harbor Community Hospital, West Campus Tower Expansion –
$750,000

This funding will help with an expansion of the Grays Harbor
Community Hospital. This
expansion will improve patient safety and capacity on rural Washington’s
central Pacific Coast, allowing for more patients to get care locally and not
have to travel to Seattle for care.  Over the last five years, the need to
expand patient services on Washington’s Central
Pacific Coast has increased significantly, with surgical volumes in the area
expected to grow by 25 to 30 percent.

“Quality healthcare is important to everyone. Yet the cost, in
terms of time and travel, for those living in remotely located communities can
be overwhelming. This project funding will enable us to improve access to
quality care, and treat patients and their families right here at home,” said Mike
Melville, Chairman of Grays Harbor Community Hospital.

Regional Education and Training Center (RETC), Regional Education
and Training Center at Satsop – $900,000

This
funding will support programs providing rapid certifications, entry-level
degrees and diplomas, and advanced certifications.  RETC also will provide
training facilities and resources for federal, state and local Homeland
Security and Emergency Management personnel.

“Working
with industry, the RETC has created programs that will put Washingtonians to
work next week, not next year.  Our goal is to help put over 800 people
back to work in the next twelve months,” said Ryan Davis, Executive Director of RETC.