When did you last think about the roads beneath your tires or the water flowing from your faucet? Public infrastructure like roads, sidewalks, and water & sewer are the foundation of any thriving community. It allows businesses to develop, create jobs, and grow neighborhoods. It is also incredibly expensive for our cities and towns to build and maintain without additional funding support.
This is where Yakima County’s Supporting Investment in Economic Development (SIED) program comes in handy. Established by the State Legislature in 1997 to provide financial assistance to rural counties, SIED’s mission is clear: provide cities and towns with additional funding to build public infrastructure that directly supports private business investment and creates jobs.
Administered by the Yakima County Development Association (YCDA), the SIED program is overseen by a nine-person board that reviews projects and makes funding recommendations to the county commissioners. Since its inception, SIED has awarded $75 million in grants and loans to local governments to help finance 160 infrastructure projects that support over 3,000 jobs.
SIED funding is rarely the only money used to complete a project. Cities and towns contribute their own funds and often seek out state and federal funding sources to help fill the gap. Here are a few highlights demonstrating SIED’s impact across Yakima County:
- Pacific Northwest University (PNWU) (2007, 2010, 2014): With over $1 million in SIED funding, Yakima County upgraded roads and utilities to support the rapid growth of PNWU. This has brought new jobs to the area and attracted students and professionals who bring energy, innovation, and opportunity to the Yakima Valley.
- YMCA Aquatic Center (2018, 2019): $2 million in SIED funding for the City of Yakima helped the YMCA Aquatic Center become a reality. With new sidewalks, roads, and utilities supporting it, the Aquatic Center employs over 40 people and is a hub for recreational programs that strengthen our community.
- Port of Sunnyside Wastewater System (1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2014): Over the years, SIED provided $4.3 million to the Port of Sunnyside to fund wastewater facility improvements. The Ports wastewater system supports over twelve businesses employing over 800 people. These businesses include Darigold, Johnson Fruit, Manzana, Yakima Chief Hops, and Windmill Farms.
- Water Transmission Main Improvements (2023): The City of Grandview received over $1.5 million to improve utility infrastructure and roadway near I-82 to support commercial development, including a truck plaza, convenience store, and restaurants. This project is tied to $8 million in private investment and the creation of 60 jobs.
The SIED program has been crucial in driving Yakima County’s economic growth for twenty-five years. The public infrastructure funded by SIED creates the foundation for future development, ensuring we remain competitive supporting existing businesses and attracting new ones. It’s time to start noticing, appreciating, and celebrating the infrastructure that keeps Yakima County moving forward.
This column was originally published in the Yakima Herald-Republic on October 19, 2024. View the column online here.
Want to explore more? Check out our SIED-funded projects dashboard here to see the detailed impact of these investments in action.