Benton‑Franklin Council of Governments reviews 2024 ARPA economic resilience work for Franklin County

Representatives from the Benton‑Franklin Council of Governments (BFCOG) presented a 2024 recap of ARPA‑funded economic resilience work on Feb. 19 to the Franklin County Board of Commissioners.

Zach Ratkei, BFCOG local government programs director, said the work completed under the joint memorandum of agreement with Benton County focuses on researching grant opportunities, providing technical assistance to jurisdictions, and identifying grant‑eligible projects to facilitate redevelopment and economic recovery. He was joined by BFCOG Executive Director Michelle Holt and grant navigator Kristen Eby.

Highlights and local work cited - Grant navigation and technical assistance: BFCOG hired a grant navigator in 2024 to comb federal, state and nonprofit funding notices and match opportunities to local projects. Ratkei said the COG identified 45 funding opportunities applicable to member jurisdictions in 2024 and that staff provide one‑on‑one meetings with city and county staff. - Broadband and brownfields: BFCOG convenes a broadband action team focused on digital equity and infrastructure; staff supported Franklin PUD on a broadband infrastructure grant. BFCOG also ran a brownfields assessment program used in Pasco’s downtown Thunderbird Motel site to fund environmental assessments and reuse planning. - Congressional connections and economic development coordination: BFCOG facilitates meetings with congressional staff and the state delegation to help member jurisdictions present competitive congressional direct‑spending applications. BFCOG representatives said they meet bi‑monthly with federal staff and invited Franklin County officials to engage. - Connell and industrial disruption: Ratkei noted follow‑up work with the City of Connell after a Lamb Weston plant closure to identify resources and potential grant support for public services.

Commissioner questions and next steps Commissioners asked for written lists of BFCOG projects and past county collaborations; staff said they would provide a more detailed project history. Commissioners also discussed a regional transportation planning meeting BFCOG was hosting that afternoon to brainstorm long‑range priorities such as a fourth Columbia River crossing and a regional beltway; BFCOG said a summary of that meeting would be provided afterwards.

Ending BFCOG said its grant‑navigation pilot is a two‑year test supported with federal funds and that deeper county engagement would require county staff availability. Commissioners thanked BFCOG and asked for follow‑up materials and continued coordination on broadband, brownfields and regional transportation planning.