Town, county await stimulus money details

Local officials are still awaiting determinations by state and federal officials on how much federal economic stimulus money will be available locally.

The Town of Cathlamet has applied for $987,600 in stimulus grant and loan funds from the US Department of Agriculture. Town officials intend to use the funds to replace water mains on Columbia Street between Alder Street and Jacobson Road and on SR 4 between Boege Road and Cougar Creek.

The town council will hold a public hearing on the plans at their April 20 meeting.

Depending on public comment, the council will affirm or withdraw the application, which was submitted to the USDA before a public hearing in order to meet application deadlines.

Wahkiakum County anticipates receiving at least $200,000 in economic stimulus money, and officials have applied for further funds for construction of a new Puget Island ferry ramp.

"We are the recipient of a $200,000 grant which will help with the cost of paving West Little Island Road," Public Works Director Pete Ringen said Tuesday.

"In addition, we have been notified we are on the Tier 2 list for the ferry ramp."

The panel which allocates the funds will meet in the first week of May to evaluate Tier 1 projects, which have been funded. If the previously approved projects aren't making progress or there are more funds available, the funds will go to the Tier 2 projects.

County officials had also hoped that federal funds to finance construction of a new ferry might become available. The construction was originally planned for 2016.

"I had been told there would be a separate application process for ferries; however there has been no information about this yet," Ringen said.