07/19/2006: "CC Awards Funding For Public Development"

County Administrator Pro-Tem David Goldsmith on Tuesday presented the County Council with the recommendations of the Public Facilities Financing Assistance Committee. The Committee had reviewed six applications for financial assistance, and Goldsmith told the Council that of the six only four were found to be eligible to receive money.

The money comes from sales tax that is collected in San Juan County, and then a small portion of it is returned to the County for use in economic development in the private sector for public projects. In simple terms, the money is intended to create jobs, or have the potential to create jobs, but only for public projects.

In order of priority, the Public Facilities Review Committee recommended that the following projects be funded: Fisherman Bay Sewer ($25k), SJC Public Works ($235k), SJC Parks ($83k) and the town of Friday Harbor ($60k). The total approved funding for the year is $403.000.00

The two that were found to be ineligible were Fisherman Bay Sewer for a Conversion phase, and the SJC Fair for the demolition and reconstruction of the "Grey Top" building at the fair grounds. These were rejected because they did not meet the minimum requirements of the program. Goldsmith pointed out that if, for example, the Grey Top building was to be converted or re-built with the intent of using the building in a way that would provide new jobs, or help to create jobs, then the committee could have looked at it as a potential receiver of funding.