Amber Betts
WSDA Communications
Link Source: https://wastatedeptag.blogspot.com/2022/10/wsda-awards-8-million-to-improve.html
Prize-winning hog, best-in-show apple pie, blue-ribbon stuffed chicken, and the area’s largest squash are some of the awards seen at your local fair. You know the one? Yes, you do.
The moment you think of the local fair you begin to smell the scones, elephant ears, the animal barns, and the unique atmosphere of fun, comradery, and family. However, you might also remember the aging facilities, the concrete block bathrooms that have seen better days, and the bleachers that are somehow, still standing.
Capital improvement grants to the rescue
Washington State Department of Agriculture and the Washington State Legislature recognize the importance of Washington’s fairgrounds. During the pandemic, county fairs were used as vaccination centers; during wildfires, fairs are used to shelter people and livestock; and during the summer months, fairs educate the public about the importance of agriculture in our lives and to our state’s economy.
Since 2003, the legislature has helped fairs in their mission by awarding around $2 million each biennium for health and safety improvements to fairgrounds and facilities. In 2021, they emphasized the importance by awarding a whopping $8 million, enabling us to fund 78 projects across the state.
Fair organizers were able to submit applications for projects equal to or less than $250,000, for capital improvements.
What is a capital improvement?
A capital improvement is addition of a structural change or restoration of some part of the property that will improve the health and safety of fair goers.
What were the projects?
WSDA is funding 78 projects at fairs across the state. Some projects are large and are part of even larger projects on their grounds. The smallest grant awarded was $5,500 for the installation of new sheep pens and barricades at the Pierce County Fair. To date, 15 projects are complete. Most of the rest are on track to be complete by May 31, 2023.
Projects include upgrades to electrical systems, upgrades to ventilation and filtration systems, replacing drain fields for restrooms, remodeling or constructing restrooms, repairing asphalt on fairgrounds, upgrades to livestock barns and ag buildings, reroofing, adding heating and air conditioning, and many others.
If the legislature chooses to include funding to the fairs program in the next capital budget, the program will distribute grant applications for fairs next July. Check our website for future grants and for the full list of 2021-23 grant recipients.
In other State Headlines:
Judge grants AG Ferguson’s request for maximum $24.6M penalty against Facebook parent Meta.
New Commerce Report: Time, trust, and technology key to small business success.
State fines City of Everett after discharge of incompletely treated wastewater to Snohomish River.
Paid Family & Medical Leave premiums to increase in 2023.
NEWS FROM OUR CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION TO DC.
Port of Seattle to Receive $17 Million Boost to Maritime Economy, Cantwell Announces
Funds will be used to construct new container storage yard and truck gate complex at Terminal 5
WORLD NEWS HEADLINES.
UN Security Council boosts commitment to fight digital terror.
The vital role of Syrian women in resolving bitter conflicts.
UN counter-terrorism committee pays tribute to victims of worldwide attacks.
NATIONAL & BUSINESS HEADLINES
NATIONAL
DOD Releases National Defense Strategy, Missile Defense, Nuclear Posture Reviews.
HUD Announces Disaster Assistance for Puerto Rico
BUSINESS HEADLINES.
USDA Announces Early Release of Select Commodity Tables for Agricultural Projections to 2032.
IN FOCUS!
Senator Murray Leads Washington State Delegation in Pushing for Increased Funding for Hanford Cleanup.
LINK SOURCE: https://www.murray.senate.gov/senator-murray-leads-washington-state-delegation-in-pushing-for-increased-funding-for-hanford-cleanup/
(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, led members of the Washington Congressional delegation in a letter to President Biden urging him to increase funding for the Hanford site cleanup through the Department of Energy (DOE)’s Office of Environmental Management (EM). The lawmakers urged the Administration to propose a budget that ensures the federal government can continue to meet its legal and moral obligation to clean up Hanford, including resources to help ensure that the state’s rivers are protected and beginning work on a High-Level Waste Facility.
“The federal government has a legal and moral obligation to clean up the Hanford site and protect Hanford workers—it’s my job to make sure the administration is living up to that obligation,” said Senator Murray. “That’s why I’m proud to fight for increased federal funding for the Hanford site to support the next critical phase of the cleanup effort. No matter what, I’ll always have the backs of the Tri-Cities community and Hanford workers—and I’ll keep working across the aisle to deliver the resources we need for Hanford.”
Senator Murray has led the fight in Congress to secure funding for the cleanup at Hanford, protect workers, and support the Tri-Cities communities. Earlier this summer, she secured an unprecedented increase in President Biden’s budget request for Hanford site cleanup, putting that request at $2.613 billion for FY2023. Last month, Senator Murray introduced the Beryllium Testing Fairness Act which will help more Hanford workers and nuclear weapons complex workers across the country—both past and present—access care for diseases caused by beryllium exposure.
You can read the full letter here and below.
Dear President Biden,
As Members of the Washington State Congressional Delegation, we write to you regarding the importance of adequately funding the Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Environmental Management (EM) in the Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) budget and beyond. This is a top priority for our constituents, the state of Washington, the communities surrounding DOE’s Hanford Site, and regional Tribes.
As you know, this year marks the beginning of a very important milestone in cleanup at the site – the successful launch of the Tank Side Cesium Removal system. This is the first step in turning low-level waste into glass, and we commend the efforts at the site and the entire Tri-Cities community in supporting this major milestone.
While significant cleanup progress has been made over the years, it is of the utmost importance that the federal government fund cleanup efforts at adequate levels for both Richland Operations and the Office of River Protection and with changing needs in mind. We are proud to work in concert and ensure that Hanford has the resources it needs to address current projects and plan for emerging needs in the future.
We are also encouraged by the recent announcement between Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) and DOE on an agreement to respond to tank waste issues. This may be a beginning of a new collaborative era between Ecology and DOE, one that we hope will result in considering all viable options for safely, efficiently, and effectively treating Hanford’s tank waste.
As design, engineering, and construction of the High-Level Waste Facility is added to the mission scope, it is imperative that your FY24 budget request reflects not only the necessary resources for this critical phase of Hanford cleanup operations, but also the need for continued adequate funding in the Richland Operations and Office of River Protection EM accounts for subsequent fiscal years. We urge the Administration to support an increased budget for the entire EM program to reflect the needs that continue to exist not only at Hanford, but at other sites across the country.
LOCAL MEETINGS.
CALLAM COUNTY MEETINGS.
Clallam County Commission work session for 10/31/22
https://www.clallamcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10312022-483
Clallam County Comission board meeting for 11/1/22
https://www.clallamcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_11012022-484
Housing Solutions Committee meeting 11/4/22
https://www.clallamcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_11042022-474
Port of Port Angeles Commission meeting for 11/1/22
https://www.portofpa.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_11012022-632
City of Port Angeles Council meeting for 11/1/22
https://www.cityofpa.us/DocumentCenter/View/12233/CC-Agenda-Packet-11012022-
OMC BOARD MEETING FOR 11/2/22
https://www.olympicmedical.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/AGENDA-November-2-2022.pdf
