Hey, buddy, can you spare $15 million?

Having committed last week to $15 million worth of infrastructure at Hawkins Companies’ stateline shopping center, Whitman County commissioners are now looking for the money.

“Just 15 million balls up in the air this week,” said Administrative Director Gary Petrovich.

Commissioners voted 2-1 last Tuesday to provide the funding after Boise-based Hawkins asked for an additional $5.9 million on the county’s 2008 agreement to provide $9.1 million for development of the site.

Commissioners are looking into several sources including state funding, revenue bonds and credit lines with area banks. The...