Board recommends county fund up to $935,000 for Forks mill repairs and PUD upgrades, contingent on lease

The Clallam County Opportunity Fund Board voted to recommend that the Clallam County Board of Commissioners provide a $260,000 loan and a $675,000 grant — a combined $935,000 — to support repairs and utility infrastructure upgrades at the Forks Industrial Park for a proposed Riverside Forest Products USA sawmill, contingent on the City of Forks executing a lease with Riverside. The recommendation was moved, seconded and approved by the Opportunity Fund Board with one member abstaining; the recommendation now goes to the county commissioners for a final decision. The board’s program administrator, Colleen (Program Administrator), framed the legal scope for use of the Opportunity Fund, citing state and county provisions. “RCWs 82.14.370 and 43.33.010 and County code 5.4.041 cover the Opportunity Fund program and the use of proceeds,” Colleen said, noting the fund can be used for countywide economic development, public infrastructure for economic development, and, more recently, affordable workforce-housing infrastructure. Rob Buckman, City of Forks planning planner, described the applicant’s proposal and the site. He said Riverside Forest Products USA would operate a sawmill and related on-site operations at the Forks Industrial Park…