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NEWPORT – The Port of Pend Oreille was awarded a grant from the state Department of Commerce for $75,000 to be used for project feasibility studies. The Port, newly designated ADO for Pend Oreille County will use the money to facilitate the studies for three separate properties, identified as developable for business recruitment and economic development. The Port of Pend Oreille is responsible to provide $6,298 in total matching funds to perform the work.
“We are excited to move forward with actionable steps towards improving what has been a stagnant situation,” said Jessica Garza, the Port’s Economic Development Director. “This grant speeds up our projected timeline and is infusing integral funding towards large goals that we have identified.”
The three properties were identified as the Port-owned Newport Site and Wolfred land and Pend Oreille County’s new Wolfred Park. The timing is conducive towards applying for larger grants to facilitate building and infrastructure, Garza said.
At its May 15 EDAC meeting in Newport, EDAC board chair Abby Gribi reported for treasurer Russ Pelleberg, who was called for jury duty. Gribi said the EDAC had $117,891 in its STCU account and $7,047 in its Mt. West account.
The EDAC also passed updated bylaws. There is still no conflict of interest provision in the new bylaws. Gribi said as an advisory body, no conflict of interest policy was needed.
“This is an advisory committee, similar to how a planning commission would be structured,” Gribi said.
Brian Smiley, who represents the county on the EDAC, agreed a conflict of interest policy was not needed because the EDAC is advising the Port.
“The Port is the final authority and the Port has their own conflict of interest policy,” Smiley said. “They’re required to, it’s state law.”
The EDAC passed the draft bylaws. The EDAC elected officers at April meeting, with Gribi elected chair, Mark Zorica was elected vice-chair and Tara Leininger was elected secretary.
