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Kinross says Curlew Project is growing; Republic council approves $1M donation to library project
Summary
Council unanimously approved a Kinross donation agreement after company representatives reported the Curlew Project is progressing toward 2028 production, pledged local spending and said Kinross donated $1 million to the Friends of the Republic Library’s early-learning effort.
The Republic City Council on April 6 unanimously approved a donation agreement with Kinross that formalizes a $1 million company gift to the Friends of the Republic Library (FORL) for early-learning facilities.
Deana Zakar of Kinross told the council the Curlew Project is progressing toward full production by 2028. She said site upgrades are under way, mill operations have been contracted out, the company doubled its local employee count this year and expects about 100 hires by the end of 2026 and roughly 300 employees at full production. Zakar said Kinross spent about $3.6 million in Ferry County in 2025 and has committed to community relations, including the $1 million donation to FORL.
Emily Burt, representing FORL, said the group has secured $8.3 million in grant funding from the Department of Commerce and will pursue an additional Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) to support the project; she confirmed receipt of Kinross’s $1 million contribution. Clerk-Treasurer Nick Olsen presented the donation agreement; Liz Stinson moved to approve it, Loni Simone seconded, and the council voted unanimously.
The Kinross donation agreement was among routine business approved at the meeting; Nick Olsen also briefed council members on a Washington Turfgrass Seed Grant (up to $10,000) and ongoing work at Patterson Park. The council scheduled a special training meeting for April 9.
The council provided no fiscal details beyond the donation amount at the April 6 meeting. FORL’s grant award from the Department of Commerce was noted in correspondence to the council. The special meeting and implementation steps for library work were left to staff and FORL to coordinate.
