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CURB reports big biennial boost; $5 million pilot for rural ports travel lift announced
Summary
The Community Economic Revitalization Board reported a 20% increase in operating funds and a 66% rise in capital funding and described a $5 million pilot for rural ports, with staff warning federal permitting and timing could limit which projects can access the money.
The Community Economic Revitalization Board (CURB) reported a substantial increase in state support during its meeting, including a 20% rise in operating funds and a 66% increase in capital funding, and described a new $5 million pilot aimed at rural ports.
Executive director Janae said the legislature’s appropriation expands CURB’s ability to make loans and grants and signaled the board will develop processes to administer a $5 million direct appropriation intended for rural port infrastructure, citing Port Townsend’s planned purchase of an electric travel lift as an example.
The appropriation increase drew guarded optimism from staff. Janae said she expects the next two years will be “harder” for communities to leverage private investment and that CURB will likely be needed “more than ever.” She described the travel-lift pilot as a direct appropriation that will be administered through CURB using its normal application and review process and said she planned stakeholder outreach and to present guidelines to the policy committee.
Staff noted practical limits: some port projects require in‑water permitting and federal approvals that can take years. Janae pointed out the legislature included a contract deadline for at least one port project — funds must be under contract by June 2027 — and warned that federal permitting delays could compress the period available to expend the pilot appropriation.
Board members pressed on details CURB staff do not yet have, including eligibility, whether ports may seek funding for portions of projects, and whether facilities that act “like a port” but are not designated ports would qualify. Janae said she would meet with the senator identified as the appropriation’s sponsor, conduct outreach with ports, and return to the board with an application process and timeline.
The discussion emphasized that the pilot will be handled with CURB’s usual project vetting and that exact program rules would be set after further consultation.
