Spending Bill in State Legislature Sends Money for Projects in North Central Washington

A spending bill moving through the state legislature includes more than $8 million for projects in Chelan and Douglas counties (Chelan County $5.1, Douglas County $3.2 million).

It's known as the Supplemental Capitol Budget.

Almost 40 percent - $3.2 million - of the two-county total would be spend on improvements to water supply and distribution at the Chief Joseph Dam near Bridgeport.

More than a quarter of the total - $2.5 million - is set aside for the Wenatchee Community Center, followed by substantial sums for a hydroelectric turbine hub project at Rocky Reach Dam ($1,030,000) and money for NCW Libraries in Wenatchee ($798,000).

By far the biggest recipient of money from the spending bill in North Central Washington will be Grant County PUD, which would get $10 million to develop a solar manufacturing plant in Central Washington.

Okanogan County would get $5.8 million form the bill, including almost $1.7 million for a downtown redevelopment project in Tonasket, $1.66 million for the Oroville School District, $1.5 million for the Twisp Civic Center and $933,000 to the Brewster School District

The bill - SB 5651 - passed the State Senate unanimously (49-0) and is now headed in the House.