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Gov. Gregoire announces State Jobs Act Awards of $31 Million

Press Release

Date: Oct. 7, 2010
Location: Olympia, WA
Issues: Energy

Gov. Chris Gregoire and the Washington State Department of Commerce today announced the selection of 45 public school facilities across the state to receive more than $31 million in grants to create jobs and energy cost savings. The total cost for all of the projects is almost $88 million, including more than $52 million of non-state funding. An estimated 870 jobs will be created by this construction spending.

"This is a great example of Washington state getting our economy moving in the right direction," said Gregoire. "Communities throughout our state will see these grants pay immediate dividends in jobs and energy savings, and we'll gain long term benefits through quality improvements and cost savings in our public school buildings."

Washington state's 2010 Supplemental Capital Budget (ESHB 2836) included $50 million to the Washington State Department of Commerce for energy cost savings grants. The Jobs Act for Public K-12 and Higher Education grants are being awarded through a competitive process, and must be used solely for energy and operational cost savings improvements.

The immediate goal of the program is to stimulate Washington's economy by creating jobs. The long-term goal is to reduce the energy costs at the state's public education facilities.

"The Jobs Act takes a bold step forward for Washington's public education facilities and our struggling construction industry," said Rogers Weed, Washington State Commerce Director. "The grants encourage private investment, put people to work making needed facilities upgrades, and support our state's commitment to increase energy efficiency in our public buildings."

The projects for the second and final round of Jobs Act funding from Commerce were selected from 55 grant applications requesting a total of more than $45 million. Grant recipients can ask for a maximum of $5 million.

For a list of grant recipients, visit: http://www.governor.wa.gov/news/Commerce_Grants_Oct_2010.pdf

For more information on the Jobs Act for Public K-12 and Higher Education, go to www.commerce.wa.gov/site/1335/default.aspx.

Commerce is the lead state agency charged with growing and improving jobs. For more information, please visit www.commerce.wa.gov.


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