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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCorrespondence - BOCC (007)February 23, 2023 The Honorable Patty Murray United States Senate 154 Russell Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 The Honorable Dan Newhouse United States House of Representatives 504 Cannon House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 GRANT COUNTY OFFICE OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS P O Box 37 EPHRATA WA 98823 (509) 754-2011 The Honorable Maria Cantwell United States Senate 511 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 Dear Senators Murray and Cantwell and Representative Newhouse: I am writing in support of the FY24 appropriations request submitted by the Port of Moses Lake. The Port is seeking federal funds for utility infrastructure, to include but not limited to water, sewer, and power to support the Port's economic development mission, which includes supporting the expansion plans of companies currently located in Moses Lake and attracting new businesses to the region. All this will support the Port's long-standing efforts to create good -paying jobs in rural Washington. The Port of Moses Lake has a long history of generating economic activity in the region, having supported the growth of several industries, including aerospace, renewable energy, manufactufing and advanced technology. With respect to the aerospace industry, the Port is in a great position to attract several new companies to the region thanks to federal incentives provided through Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). While prospective companies and private developers have indicated their intent to construct their own facilities, the expectation is that basic utility infrastructure (including water, sewer, and power) should be provided by the Port. This means the Port's ability to attract additional business activity to the region and create jobs is contingent upon their ability to build upon existing infrastructure investment already made by the Port. While the Port has invested millions of dollars to build the infrastructure needed to support new business growth, additional infrastructure is needed. Unfortunately, the Port is limited in how quickly it can make these investments given its limited annual operating budget. In other words, this request for federal funding will allow the port to support new business growth and job creation on an expedited timeline, while also mitigating the risk of losing business opportunities caused by a delay in making the necessary infrastructure investments. I hope you will support this important funding request. Sincerely, Rob fo'16;<'� District 2 Commissioner "To MEET CURRENT AND FUTURE NEEDS, SERVING TOGETHER WITH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE ENTITIES, WHILE FOSTERING A RESPECTFUL AND SUCCESSFUL WORK ENVIRONMENT."