Job Development Fund Program
The Community Economic Revitalization Board met on May 18, 2006 to evaluate and prioritize Job Development Fund applications.  The Board received 64 final applications representing over $228 million in JDF requests.  As is typical of statewide competitive solicitations, the requests for grants far exceeded the amount of funding available.  CERB approved two recommended funding lists as a result of the process.  The “Job Development Fund Recommended Funding List” identifies 12 projects in priority order totaling $49,500,081.  The “Job Development Fund Recommended Alternate Funding List” includes two projects in priority order totaling $10 million.  The Public Works Board will also approve the lists as recommended by CERB.  The 2007 Legislature must approve projects recommended by CERB before awards are made.  Following Legislative action, CERB will award grants beginning in September of 2007.
 
The Job Development Fund Program was created by the Legislature during the 2005 session.  The Job Development Fund Program is broader in scope than CERB’s Traditional and Rural Programs and offered grants up to $10 million per project.  For example, the Job Development Fund Program is not targeted in statute to support specific manufacturing and industrial sector developments.
 
CERB issued a statewide competitive solicitation for Job Development Fund grant applications on December 1, 2005.  The Board chose to use a two-step application process with pre-applications due on January 6, 2006 and final applications due on April 3, 2006.  Guidelines released as part of the solicitation incorporated evaluation criteria contained in the statute.
 
 
What is CERB?
The Community Revitalization Board (CERB) is a state program that promotes economic development throughout Washington.  Its membership is composed of elected officials and private citizens.
 
What is the Job Development Fund?
The Job Development Fund (JDF) is a grant program designed to assist with public infrastructure projects that directly stimulate community and economic development by supporting the creation of new jobs or the retention of existing jobs.  Following Legislative approval, JDF grants for the 2007-2009 biennium will be awarded to competively selected projects to help finance construction of public facilities
that support business development.
 
Who May Apply?
Washington State counties, cities, towns, port districts, federally recognized tribes, plus special purpose districts (e.g., public utility districts), and municipal corporations (e.g., public development authorities) conducting economic development activities may apply for JDF funding.
 
Types of Eligible Projects?
Eligible public facilities include planning, design, acquisition, construction, reconstruction, replacement, rehabilitation, or improvements to:
  • bridges
  • roads
  • domestic and industrial water
  • earth stabilization
  • sanitary sewer
  • storm sewer
  • railroad spurs
  • electricity
  • telecommunications
  • transportation
  • natural gas
  • buildings or structures
  • port facilities
JDF funds may not support a project that:
  • facilitates or promotes gambling as a primary purpose
  • provides for the maintenance or operation of existing facilities
  • provides direct financial assistance to businesses
  • results in a private business development or expansion that would displace existing jobs in any other community in the state
  • is implemented in a jurisdiction that is not an applicant or co-applicant

 

 

 
 
 
 

What are the Requirements?
CERB will use the JDF to help finance local public infrastructure that results in business development or expansions in:
  • manufacturing 
  • food processing
  • production
  • assembly
  • warehousing
  • industrial distribution
  • advanced technology and research  development
  • recycling facilities
  • businesses that substantially support the trading of goods and services outside the state’s borders
  • high priority tourism facilities that create year-round jobs
  • business developments that are competitive in terms of the creation/retention of higher wage jobs and/or other comparative economic development outcomes
A Job Development Fund grant may only be awarded to finance a public sector project that, at the time of application, is linked to a current or prospective private development project that will result in the creation or retention of jobs upon completion of the public project.
 
The maximum grant award for a single project is $10 million.  Funds from the JDF may only make up 33% of the total public sector project costs.
 
Applicants must demonstrate a gap in public project funding and the need for JDF assistance. Applicants must also demonstrate no other timely sources of funds are available to meet the gap.

IMPORTANT DATES:
  • April 2007: Legislature approves list
  • September 2007: Funding available to execute contracts
FOR MORE INFORMATION OR ASSISTANCE:
CERB Job Development Fund Program
Washington State Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development
128 – 10th Avenue SW
PO Box 42525
Olympia, WA  98504-2525
Telephone: 360.725.4049
E-mail:  cerbjdf@cted.wa.gov
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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