HomeMy WebLinkAboutCorrespondence - BOCCApril 6, 2021
Grant County
Office of The
Board of County Commissioners
P O Box 37
Ephrata WA 98823
(509) 754-2011
RE: Requesting Washington State Senate Support of Funding for the Coulee City Medical Clinic project that is
included in the proposed 2021-23 House Capital Budget
Dear Senator Brad Hawkins and Representative Mike Steele:
The Grant County Board of County Commissioners urge your support of $846,000 which is included in the
proposed 2021-23 House Capital Budget for the Coulee City Medical Clinic project. The Port of Coulee City has
identified a critical need in Coulee City, WA and is working to build a new Medical Clinic there, which would serve
the growing rural population of Coulee City and the surrounding area. As a result, the funding from this request
would be used by the Port of Coulee City for the construction of the new Medical Clinic which would provide much
needed healthcare services to the Coulee City and boost the economy of the local area.
The proposed new Coulee City Medical Clinic would be approximately 4,660 square feet and would include
examination rooms; treatment rooms; a laboratory; offices for counselors; doctors; nurse's stations, and a conference
room. The new proposed larger and better equipped medical clinic in Coulee City would work in conjunction with
The Coulee Medical Center in Grand Coulee and Grant County Mental Health to provide a hub of care, including
transitioning of care, education, and direct referrals when needed.
In 2015, the Port of Coulee City purchased property at the northeast corner of West Main Street and North Third
Street in Coulee City for a new Medical Clinic. In 2018, the Port of Coulee City received $147,000 in the State
Capital Budget funding for design and engineering for this project, and more recently the Port received $256,000 in
local funding from the Grant County Strategic Infrastructure Program. Furthermore, in addition to the above
property the Port has purchased, the Port has provided $125,000 of its own matching funds towards the completion
of the new Medical Clinic.
The current clinic in Coulee City, located in a World War II era meeting hall, was originally set up in the. 1970s and
is too small and understaffed to support the areas' current needs. Without the new Medical Clinic serving the greater
Coulee City community, it will make much more difficult for the Port to be able to attract new businesses and
industries to the area.
A large, well-equipped medical clinic has the potential to stimulate future job and economic growth. A successful
medical clinic will draw the attention of other potential developers, attracting new business and industries to the
community. The clinic will also increase the local tax base providing more local funding to public services such as
schools and public works projects.
In summary and for the reasons above we would urge your support for the $846,000 that is included in the proposed
2021-23 House Capital Budget for the Coulee City Medical Clinic project.
Sincerely,
Grant County Board of Commissioners
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Cindy Ca er, Cliair Danny E. tone, Vice Chair Rob J e , em er
DES/bjv
Cc: Port of Coulee City
Danny E. Stone Rob Jones Cindy Carter
District 1 District 2 District 3
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