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EDC seeks $150,000 and Port of Greatview requests $25,000 from county—s 0.09 sales‑use tax fund
Summary
Commissioners reviewed two applications for Mason County—s 0.09 rural county sales and use tax fund for 2026: a $150,000 request from the Economic Development Council and a $25,000 request from the Port of Greatview toward dock and public-access improvements.
Commissioners reviewed two applications for Mason County—s 0.09 rural county sales and use tax fund for 2026: a $150,000 request from the Mason County Economic Development Council (EDC) and a Port of Greatview request for county support of a dock and public-access improvements. County staff said the 0.09 fund currently holds more than $3.6 million in cash and generates roughly $1.2 million annually.
Kevin, representing the EDC, told commissioners the $150,000 request would restore staff capacity for state and private grant writing, fund economic-impact analysis for projects on the county—s SEDS list, expand outreach to non-English-speaking entrepreneurs, and provide local match dollars for federal and state grants. "Part of the increase is related to some of the cuts that we've seen happen at the state level," he said, adding that the state-funded grant-writing support had been about $40,000 and that the EDC had returned "just over $300,000 worth of grants in in about a 6 month period to the to the county and partners."
Mike, from the Port of Greatview, asked for $25,000 from the 0.09 fund toward a project the port described as totaling about $35,000 with $10,000 already committed by the port. He said the funds would address maintenance and public-access infrastructure improvements along the port facility, and stressed the upgrades would support marine commerce, recreation and local small businesses. "This is not just a maintenance request," he said. "The port is contributing $10,000 from its operating budget towards this project," he added.
Commissioners asked for additional information before making final decisions. One commissioner requested a breakdown of other funding partners and asked staff to provide historical detail on county contributions to the EDC over the past three years. Another asked staff to provide details on the county—s role as the designated ADO (the county-designated agency that receives state ADO funds), since that funding flows through the county to the EDC.
Staff proposed a next administrative step: send letters to the courts and the city notifying them of the two applications and asking for any comments required by law, and then place the items on the commission—s Sept. 16 action agenda. No funding decisions were made at the meeting.
