Recovery funding for Longview announced
Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) announced last Thursday that a $1.4 million Economic Development Administration grant has been rewarded by the U.S. Dept. of Commerce to the city of Longview.
The money will be used to extend Weber Avenue and provide water infrastructure to the Mint Farm Industrial Park.
Murray said the grants would create jobs and give a jump-start to the local economy. Funding for the projects comes from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, better known as the federal stimulus program, which Murray voted for and President Barack Obama signed into law last February.
"This is a great example of stimulus dollars being put to good use in our communities," Murray said. "This funding will put people to work in Longview, and it will help lay down a strong foundation for long-term economic growth."
Stimulus provides lab access for business
Washington Technology Center in Seattle last week announced the launch of the Microfabrication Laboratory Access Program, a new stimulus project that will award short-term access to sophisticated fabrication equipment to help small Washington state companies develop job-growing, innovative commercial technologies.
"Our new lab access program is one of three state-funded programs that we're using to invest in innovation in Washington state," said Lee Cheatham, WTC's executive director. "We believe this program will help small companies more effectively leverage limited funding for technology development in the current economy."
More information about the Microfabrication Laboratory Access Program is available at https://www.watechcenter.org/accessprogram
New inspector licensing goes into effect
A new law requiring Washington state home inspectors to be licensed went into effect Tuesday. The state claimed that the new rules would improve consumer protection and oversight of the industry. The state Department of Licensing began the licensing process for home inspectors July 1.
"A home is the single biggest investment many people make and an incorrect or misleading report from an unqualified home inspector can lead to considerable financial risk," said Department of Licensing Director Liz Luce.
The law also created a Home Inspector Licensing Board comprised of industry representatives and members of the public to advise the department on professional conduct standards.
Planned Parenthood reopens clinic
A reproductive health center in Salmon Creek run by Planned Parenthood Columbia Willamette reopened Wednesday after being shuttered since last December when the organization decided to consolidate its Clark County operations in Vancouver.
"Over the past several months, our Vancouver health center has seen an increasing number of patients," said PPCW Board Chair Saskia de Boer. "By reopening the Salmon Creek health center, we hope to get Southwest Washington patients in for appointments more quickly and make it easier for residents to acquire basic health services."
PPCW runs 11 health centers in Oregon and Southwest Washington. The nonprofit estimates over 17,000 low-income women in Clark County are in need of free and low-cost reproductive services.
Volunteers needed for SWMC program
The Children's Bereavement Program for Hospice Southwest at SWMC needs volunteers to provide support for children, teens and their families as they work through the grief process and find healing.
Volunteers are trained to listen and reflect in a support group setting with families who have experienced the death of a loved one. Training sessions will be held on Thursday, Sept. 10 and Friday, Sept. 11 from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday, Sept. 12 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Attendance is required at all sessions.
There is no fee for the training; however, a minimum commitment of one year is required for the program. To register for the training, or for more information, call 360.696.5120.
MILC program changes
Dairy producers who are enrolled in the Milk Income Loss Contract program (MILC) and want to change their start date for 2010 MILC payments to October have until Sept. 14 to request the change, according to the Lower Columbia Valley FSA. Additionally, producers who currently have October as their start month and would like to change it must also make that change by Sept. 14.
The MILC program compensates dairy producers when certain milk prices fall below a set level. Payments are made on an operation-by-operation basis.
Dairy producers are urged to contact their local FSA county office.
Utility seeks applicants to save salmon
Stream Stewards, a StreamTeam program of Clark County Utilities, is accepting applications for its fall session. Students will participate in eight hands-on workshops focusing on wildlife monitoring, rain management and twig identification.
All age groups, backgrounds and experience levels are welcome. The fall workshops take place on Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. with the first session starting in September. There is a $10 fee. For more information, call 360.992.8585 or email streamteam@clarkpud.com
