08.06.02

Cantwell Announces Funding for Shelton Water and Sewer Plan

SEATTLE, WA - U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) today announced that she secured $500,000 in a Senate spending bill for the Shelton Area Regional Water and Sewer Plan to improve water resources and wastewater infrastructure in and around the City of Shelton. This project is a top priority for Cantwell in Mason County.

"This money is an excellent first step in the process to ensure that Shelton is able to make the needed improvements in water resources and wastewater infrastructure," Cantwell said. "I will work hard to keep this funding for the Water and Sewer Plan as the House and Senate resolve their differences on this spending bill."

The appropriation of $500,000 was recommended by the Senate Committee on Appropriations in late July when it issued its report on the VA/HUD bill. Differences with the House bill, which does not include language specific to the project, will be resolved in conference in September.

"Senator Cantwell's commitment to the Water and Sewer plan will provide the springboard to more family wage jobs," Shelton mayor John Tarrant said. "Having Maria's support goes a long way in tough economic times."

With the Regional System, the Port of Shelton anticipates recruiting one new business annually which equates to adding 30 new employees to the local economy each year. The Regional System will also allow for Washington Corrections Center expansion and provide an estimated 267 family-wage jobs.

The City of Shelton, the Port of Shelton, Mason County, Mason County Public Utility District No. 1, The Mason County Economic Development Council, the State of Washington Department of Corrections and State of Washington State Patrol formed a regional partnership to work on the Water and Sewer Plan. This alliance of public works providers and major area employers has spent two years and over $300,000 of local funds developing a Regional Plan to share and expand the City of Shelton's water and wastewater system. The partnership is proposing to undertake a major infrastructure investment over the next ten years with the expectation that this investment will provide significant job growth, increase property value, improve environmental protection and lead to new economic development for this community.