Port advances CERB road fund application

Port of Whitman Commissioners Monday learned the port's application for a Community Economic Revitalization Board grant has been approved in the first round of evaluations.

The application will advance to a second tier application, and if approved would be used for road upgrades at the Port of Wilma.

The project would also be funded by both the port and county.

The CERB board provides funding to local governments and federally-recognized tribes for public infrastructure which supports private business growth and expansion.

Only specific projects are eligible for CERB funds. Those include domestic and industrial water, stormwater, public building, telecommunications and port facilities.

“Our tier-two application is due next Monday,” Kara Riebold, port chief operating officer, reported. “The project amount again is $1.6 million.”

Riebold informed the port that CERB grant funds cover 25 percent of the requested amount.

Originally, the grant request was $400,000 with the port and county coming with the remaining $1.2 million.

Now with the clarification, it would change the port and county contributions from $600,000 to $675,000.

“I'm asking for direction from the board if $675,000 is okay. Then we will continue with our tier-two application and have it submitted and we will present in January in Olympia to the CERB committee,” Riebold said.

If the application is approved the money would be awarded on July 1. Once the money is received, there is a two-year time frame to use it.

This project still isn't expected to happen until 2021, but with approval of the road levy lid lift for unincorporated areas of Whitman County, funding won't be as much of a concern.

This higher levy is expected to collect another $1.4 million a year for gravel road maintenance, additional road crew workers and newer grading equipment.