grown tree fruit will reach buyers faster thanks to $92M grant for Wenatchee’s Apple Capital Loop
WENATCHEE – A new transportation project will help speed deliveries of Washington state agricultural products across the state to local, national, and international markets.
Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) joined U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and other elected officials today to tout the benefits of Wenatchee’s transformative Apple Capital Loop Project.
“We’re really here for the over 60,000 [apple related] jobs and over 100,000 jobs with the whole tree fruit industry,” said Sen. Cantwell “And we're here to make sure that multibillion dollar industry remains competitive, and to do that we needed to improve the infrastructure. There is an average of something like 4,000 trucks that go through this area a day … it's so important that we continue to make these improvements.”
“In an average year, a billion dollars worth of apples are stored, delivered, and packed in Wenatchee Valley,” said Secretary Buttigieg. “But that work being done by farmers, by pickers, by packers, by truckers, by rail workers -- by everybody across that chain allows Americans to enjoy that produce all year long.”
The project received a $92 million federal grant from the Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) program, which was imagined, developed, and pushed through Congress by Sen. Cantwell in 2015. Wenatchee’s grant is the largest INFRA grant awarded in the nation in 2021, and the largest INFRA grant ever awarded in Washington state.
Agricultural products that travel through Wenatchee on US 2, or that are delivered to and packaged in Wenatchee, will get to their destinations faster. Among other improvements, the project adds a new bridge over the Wenatchee River, allowing freight trucks to bypass Downtown Wenatchee traffic. And the traffic-halting stoplight on US 2 will be replaced by a roundabout.
Railroad crossings and stoplights will also be improved. Overall, the project will increase the traffic capacity of the Loop by about 60,000 vehicles per day, saving freight and motorists 32 million hours over the next 20 years – that’s 4,000 fewer hours spent in traffic, every day, for the next two decades.
Once completed, the Apple Capital Loop will also significantly improve wildfire safety for the region by adding two new evacuation routes out of Wenatchee.
The Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) grant program, created by Senator Cantwell in the FAST Act of 2015, provides financial support to nationally and regionally significant freight and highway projects.
Noted Secretary Buttigieg: “The INFRA program, the entire thing was largely possible with design by Senator Cantwell, who is also Chair [of the Commerce Committee] that plays such an important role in shaping and crafting and then driving legislation that makes everything we do possible.”
President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law allocated $8 billion to the INFRA Grant Program, which increases the program’s funding by 78%. Since the program’s creation in 2015, the State of Washington has been awarded over $243.8 million in INFRA grants.
In other News from Our Congressional delegation.
Applications Open For Cantwell-Led, $1 Billion Salmon Habitat Recovery Program, Announces Buttigieg.
(2) STATE NEWS HEADLINES.
LUNCH TRAYS FEATURE LOCAL FOODS FOR TASTE WASHINGTON DAY
AG Ferguson: Half-billion dollars to fight opioid epidemic will start flowing Dec. 1.
Department of Commerce offers grants to spur industrial site development.
Ecology invests nearly $35 million to help rivers and streams.
OLYMPIA –
Communities around the state will soon receive grant funds to support projects that protect rivers and improve streamflows. The Washington Department of Ecology is slated to distribute about $35 million for 26 high-priority projects in 22 watersheds.
https://ecology.wa.gov/About-us/Who-we-are/News/2022/Oct-5-Streamflow-Grants
Tackling Toxics: Romac Industries reworks production line to reduce dangerous waste.
State revokes, suspends licenses, certifications, registrations of health care providers.
West Coast Leaders Double Down on Bold Actions to Fight Climate Crisis.
$5.6 million grant expands apprenticeship programs across Washington state.
$5.6 million grant expands apprenticeship programs across Washington state
Career Connect Washington grows apprenticeship in high-demand fields over the next four years.
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WORLD NEWS HEADLINES.
Pakistan’s ‘climate carnage beyond imagination’, UN chief tells General Assembly.
Aid relief reaches Ukraine towns and cities reclaimed from Russian control.
Burkina Faso: UN rights office calls for probe into coup-related deaths and injuries.
Egypt urged to ensure civil society’s full participation in COP27 climate summit.
Latest DPR Korea missile launch risks escalating tensions, Security Council hears.
Joint Statement on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s Ballistic Missile Launches.
NATIONAL & BUSINESS HEADLINES.
Allies Conduct Naval Defense Exercises Following North Korea Missile Launches--DOD
More than 2.5 Million Youth Reported E-Cigarette Use in 2022.--CDC
BUSINESS HEADLINES.
National Center for Disaster Fraud Warns of Fraud After Hurricane Ian
Micronesian Couple Pleads Guilty to Withholding Passports for Labor Trafficking
The Economic Outlook with a Look at the Housing Market
Governor Christopher J. Waller--THE FED
IRS: Don’t miss this important Oct. 17 tax extension deadline.
U.S. Department of Agriculture Announces Andy Berke as Rural Utilities Service Administrator--USDA
US DEPARTMENT OF LABOR ANNOUNCES FINAL RULE TO IMPROVE H-2A VISA PROGRAM
Regulations bolster H-2A, US workers’ protections; improve employers’ application process.
How to save money on utilities this winter and avoid scams--FTC
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IN FOCUS!
Join others working to improve the lives of people with disabilities.
Link Source: https://www.esd.wa.gov/newsroom/gcde-members-needed
OLYMPIA – If you are interested in disability justice and want to influence state decision makers, apply to become a volunteer member of the Washington State Governor’s Committee on Disability Issues & Employment (GCDE).
The GCDE is currently recruiting for:
A chairperson. Application deadline is Oct. 13, 2022.
Four committee members. Application deadline is Oct. 14, 2022.
All new members will be appointed by Gov. Inslee to serve an initial three-year term starting January 2023.
Committee members can live anywhere in Washington state. They must have a disability; have a family member with a disability; or provide services to, or be an advocate for, people with disabilities.
Members identify issues and concerns about the rights and needs of people with disabilities, making recommendations to the governor, state Legislature, state agencies, the business community and the public.
“Committee members collaborate with other people and organizations to help integrate people with disabilities into their community,” said Laurie Schindler, GCDE member. “I’ve experienced firsthand the positive effect of employment for people with disabilities, and I love being part of a team that tirelessly advocates to improve people's lives.”
GCDE members serve on subcommittees that work on a variety of projects, such as community outreach, the Youth Leadership Forum and an employer awards program. New members are asked to serve on one or two subcommittees that most interest them.
Find out more about qualifications for GCDE membership and member responsibilities on the GCDE Become a member page. Instructions to apply for the chairperson and member positions are linked on that page.
Learn more about GCDE and its current members on its website.
Questions?
Contact Membership Program Coordinator Elaine Stefanowicz, 360-890-3774.
LOCAL MEETINGS.
CLALLAM COUNTY MEETINGS.
Clallam County Commission work session for 10/10/22
https://clallam.granicus.com/GeneratedAgendaViewer.php?view_id=2&event_id=1336
Clallam County Board meeting for 10/11/22
https://clallam.granicus.com/GeneratedAgendaViewer.php?view_id=2&event_id=7338
Port of Port Angeles Commission meeting for 10/11/22
https://www.portofpa.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10112022-628
City of Sequim Council meeting for 10/10/22
https://www.sequimwa.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/2696
Clallam County PUD board meeting for 10/10/22
https://clallampud.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/10-10-22-WEB-Packet.pdf
Thursday, October 13
6:00pm
PASD Board Meeting
When: Thu, October 13, 6pm – 8pm
Where: 905 W 9th St, Port Angeles, WA 98363, USA
JEFFERSON COUNTY MEETINGS.
Jefferson Board of Commissioners meeting for 10/10/22
https://media.avcaptureall.cloud/meeting/b782b66d-ae49-4a89-a530-cd3e20508582
