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Grant-Solutions of Kitsap County recently was notified that several grants were awarded to three of its local government clients in the last weeks of December, 2007.
According to principal, Kathleen Byrne-Barrantes, these funds will result in the direct infusion of approximately $2.4 million into the local economy, which will be multiplied many times over through job creation; advances in sewer infrastructure planning, and redevelopment of properties for public use, while also protecting the environment and conserving our natural resources.
To help address emerging stormwater needs throughout the state, the 2007 Washington State Legislature appropriated $21 million for stormwater related projects; $18 Million for Puget Sound stormwater projects and $3 Million for non-Puget Sound projects.
A total of 77 applicants requesting nearly $40 million from Puget Sound and Non-Puget Sound communities were submitted in October. Of these, just 24 competitive applications were highly ranked with individual projects awarded up to $1 million.
Byrne-Barrantes said that Kitsap County will receive $1 million to decrease impacts to stormwater runoff by implementing low-impact development (LID) in their parking lot retrofit for the community center and new construction for the YMCA facility, library, and senior housing development.
The City of Bremerton Parks & Recreation Department received $1 million for Lions Park & Fields renovation using LID. This park is heavily used by all Kitsap County residents and athletic teams with its many fields and waterfront access.
These sites will be redeveloped using green building and LID stormwater strategies (pervious pavement, rain gardens, amended soils, green roofs, etc.) and include significant public involvement and education.
The Silverdale Water District will receive a $250,000 grant from the Department of Ecology for the West Dyes Inlet Water Reclamation Facility Feasibility Study that will look at establishing sewer services using membrane systems with reclaimed water being diverted to enhance the low flows at Chico Creek, a highly productive salmon stream.
The U.S. Housing & Urban Development (HUD) awarded three grants totaling $124,419 to the Bremerton Housing Authority and Jefferson County in the latest round of federal aid made available through HUD’s Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program. These grants encourage communities to develop local strategies to help families who live in public housing or participate in HUD’s Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program obtain employment that will lead to economic independence and self-sufficiency.
The funds will be used to hire or retain three FSS coordinators on staff to assist adult residents to find employment. The coordinators also link participants to resources in the community that can help with their job search, such as job training opportunities, employment placement programs or local employers. The coordinators also help individuals locate childcare, counseling services, and transportation, which are often times impediments to employment.
Grant-Solutions is based in Poulsbo, and Byrne-Barrantes can be reached at 360-697-5815, grantsolutions@comcast.net or visit www.grantsolutions.biz.
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