Legislators push community development bill out of House

Vancouver and Tacoma-area listed as investment areas

April 20, 2009

OLYMPIA – A proposal to improve communities and boost local economies passed out of the House late Thursday after a last-minute push. Reps. Troy Kelley, Tim Probst and Jim Jacks helped lead the bill out of the House before a Friday deadline.

In Vancouver the waterfront and downtown area was chosen, in addition to University Place and Tacoma communities in Pierce County. Communities picked are allowed to use future growth to make current investments in things like sewers and roads.

Local communities are often stuck in a situation where they know they’re growing, but don’t have the money to support that growth years before they’ll see those new stores and homes.

“Having Vancouver selected for this investment tool is just a huge win for the people in our community,” said Probst, D-Vancouver. “With this, Vancouver can prepare our waterfront area for the next generation of families and businesses that will call this area home.”

“Letting communities use future growth to pay for the services that growth will use is common-sense government,” said Jacks, D-Vancouver. “People want good streets and services, but they also want government run as efficiently as possible. This community investment tool delivers on those good-government priorities.”

One of the selling points for legislators is the surge in economic activity this tool has had for communities. Areas are not only putting people to work getting these projects completed, but businesses and new homes come in soon after the investments happen, spurring a flurry of business and home sales.

“Families want to live in communities where they’re supported, but also where they can support a local grocery store,” said Kelley, D-Tacoma. “The planning that can happen with this community investment really strengthens the local economy, as well as the overall quality of life for families.”

The legislation, Senate Bill 5045, now goes back to the Senate to consider the changed the House made. It now must clear the Legislature before the scheduled end date, April 26.

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For more information:
State Rep. Troy Kelley, (360) 786-7890
Print-quality image: www1.leg.wa.gov/documents/house/members/photos/Kelley.jpg
State Rep. Tim Probst, (360) 786-7994
Print-quality image: www.leg.wa.gov/documents/House/Members/Photos/Probst.jpg
State Rep. Jim Jacks, (360) 786-7924
Print-quality image: http://www.leg.wa.gov/documents/House/Members/Photos/Jacks.jpg

Staff contact – Andrew Dziedzic, (360) 786-7218

Bill information:
SB 5045: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=5045&year=2009