Lynnwood hears federal funding strategy from Summit Strategies partner

Mark Dedrick, a founding partner at Summit Strategies, told the Lynnwood City Council on Feb. 3 that his Washington, D.C., team continues to press the city’s congressional delegation and federal agencies for project funding and to protect existing awards.

Dedrick said Summit Strategies has represented Lynnwood since about 2018 and that the firm’s priorities for the city remain relationship-building in Washington, positioning Lynnwood for federal grant programs and pursuing congressionally directed spending (earmarks). “We’ve been working with the city of Lynnwood since the beginning of 2018,” Dedrick said. “The goals have been developing relationships in Washington, pursuing federal grant opportunities and working on congressionally directed spending.”

The briefing reviewed recent federal outcomes for Lynnwood, including a COPS grant and a large USDOT award tied to the Poplar Bridge. Dedrick said he had spoken with city staff earlier that day and that the Poplar Bridge grant is in a fully signed agreement with USDOT, which he said should keep it outside an administrative freeze on other federal spending. “There is a fully signed grant agreement with USDOT for that grant, which should mean it’s obligated by USDOT,” he said.

Council members asked about realistic funding prospects under the current federal administration and the split Congress. Dedrick advised adjusting the project framing to match priorities at the agencies and in congressional offices. “We might have to right-size our expectations,” he said, adding that projects that emphasize congestion relief, freight movement or other priorities of the current administration may be more competitive than projects framed under different priorities.

Council members also discussed timing and logistics for a future trip to Washington, D.C., to meet delegation and agency staff in person. Dedrick said Summit Strategies can help schedule meetings and urged the council to coordinate with city staff when planning visits.

Nut Graf: The presentation updated the council on Lynnwood’s federal advocacy work and emphasized keeping projects ready and adapting messaging to current federal priorities so the city can both defend existing grant awards and pursue new funding opportunities.

The session included council questions about how to present projects to match agency priorities, whether earmarks are likely again in the current Congress, and how the city should plan local visits to Washington. Dedrick said congressional directed spending appears likely to be available this year and described the short windows that offices often set for submitting funding requests, typically for modest amounts (he described successful requests historically in the $500,000 to $2 million range).

The council did not take any formal action during the briefing; it was informational and intended to guide staff and council planning for federal advocacy in 2025.

Ending: Council members thanked Dedrick and staff for the briefing and asked staff to continue aligning Lynnwood project lists and schedules with Summit Strategies ahead of any federal application or appropriations opportunity.