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Bremerton, Mason County continue talks on sewer extension to Puget Sound Industrial Center amid capacity, economic concerns
Summary
City of Bremerton and Mason County officials met to discuss an interlocal agreement and a $3 million state design grant to study extending sewer service into the southern Puget Sound Industrial Center (PSIC). Key questions remain about plant capacity, who pays for upgrades, and potential economic impacts on Belfair businesses.
BREMERTON / BELFAIR, Wash. — City and county officials on Tuesday took another step toward exploring an extension of sewer service from Mason County into the southern Puget Sound Industrial Center, while identifying technical, financial and economic issues that must be resolved before either jurisdiction will commit to construction.
The meeting focused on a $3 million Washington State Department of Commerce appropriation that would fund design work for collection and treatment upgrades; the city would be the grant recipient and Mason County a subrecipient. Bremerton Mayor Greg Wheeler said the work ties to the city’s long-range plan for industrial jobs: “We envision in the entire industrial area up to 10,000 jobs.”
Why it matters: The PSIC is planned for industrial growth that municipal leaders say could bring regional jobs, but officials agree growth requires sewer, water and transportation upgrades. Mason County elected officials voiced concern that allowing retail or other destination sales on the PSIC could divert sales tax revenue and businesses away from the Belfair commercial area, harming county finances. Commissioners said they need clearer financial commitments and mitigation measures before signing any interlocal agreement.
City and county staff described the technical scope the design work would cover: improvements to collection-system choke points, pump stations and a forced…
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