State invests nearly $153 million in public infrastructure projects

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date:                     April 23, 2012

Contact:               John LaRocque, Executive Director, 360.725.3166

                         Dawn Eychaner, Program & Policy Development Coordinator, 360.725.4052

 State invests nearly $153 million in public infrastructure projects

Funds from the Public Works Trust Fund will improve public health and safety in 46 Washington communities

OLYMPIA – The Public Works Board today announced the approval of $152,781,000 for 58 public infrastructure construction projects around the state.

“In December 2011, Governor Gregoire adopted the Board’s recommended loan list of infrastructure projects in her capital budget proposal,” said Stan Finkelstein, Chair of the Public Works Board. “Over the past four months, we have worked very closely with the Governor and the state Legislature to finalize the list of construction-ready projects that was included in the 2012 Supplemental Capital Budget signed today.”

Chair Finkelstein said the 58 projects on the list will benefit 46 communities, create more than 1600 jobs, and improve drinking water, sanitary sewers, storm water, and solid waste systems. Local governments will use the funding to upgrade these systems, improve public health and safety, respond to environmental issues, and promote economic development.

“Local infrastructure investments, such as these by the Public Works Board, protect the safety of our citizens, create needed jobs, and lay the foundation for our future prosperity,” said Camas City Administrator Lloyd Halverson. The low interest loans from the state Public works Trust Fund will help the city pay for a new drinking water reservoir and a sewer transmission main.

The complete list of projects is detailed at:

http://leap.leg.wa.gov/leap/Budget/Detail/2012/hcLEAPDoc2012-1BPWAA0224.pdf

Established in 1985, the Public Works Board administers the Public Works Trust Fund, a revolving loan fund that offers low-interest loans to help local governments and special purpose districts finance critical public works projects. The Public Works Board receives administrative support from the Washington State Department of Commerce. For more information about the Department of Commerce, visit www.commerce.wa.gov. For more information on the Public Works Board, visit www.pwb.wa.gov.

SBA Says: Tell Us Your Story!

Video contest will showcase successful small businesses; Winning videos to be highlighted during National Small Business Week

WASHINGTON – Do you have a small business story to tell? Every business has one. Tell your story to the SBA and your video may appear at National Small Business Week, SBA’s marquee event that attracts hundreds of small business owners, Fortune 500 company executives, Members of Congress and Obama Administration officials.

In celebration of National Small Business Week 2012, SBA is looking for creative videos from small businesses that show how they have been helped by an SBA program or service. The contest will raise awareness of the importance of SBA programs, and the impact the small businesses that use them have in their local communities.

Three winning videos will also be shown during a Google+ Hangout hosted by the SBA and the White House with SBA Administrator Karen Mills on May 24. The winners can also participate in the event with Administrator Mills, while she answers questions from small businesses around the country. All qualifying videos will be showcased on SBA’s YouTube page.

Contestants can enter the contest by producing an original video, two minutes or less, that shares their story. The list of Contest Rules provides additional details on required video content. All eligible videos will be judged by SBA senior officials on the inspirational nature of the message and the creativity or uniqueness of the video concept.

Videos will feature small business owners from across the country discussing the SBA assistance the company received, the most rewarding aspects of starting a business and how the SBA assistance benefited the business and the local community. Small businesses may have received SBA business counseling, SBA-guaranteed financing or SBA disaster assistance or participated in a SBA contracting program or in SBA’s online community.

The videos can be submitted through Challenge.gov from 12pm EDT April 16 through 5pm May 11. The contest offers the opportunity to celebrate entrepreneurship and hear directly from small business owners how SBA has helped them grow and create jobs.

For more information on the Small Business Week Video Contest, visit http://smallbizvid.challenge.gov

SBA Says: Tell Us Your Story!

Video contest will showcase successful small businesses; Winning videos to be highlighting during National Small Business Week

Release Date: April 16, 2012	Contact: Hayley Meadvin (202) 205-6948
Release Number: 12-15	Internet Address: http://www.sba.gov/news Follow us on Twitter, Facebook & Blogs

FREE BUSINESS EXPO HELPS COMPANIES CONNECT

Are you are looking for new opportunities to grow your company and meet like minded
business owners? Then plan to attend the free Recreation Business Expo at the
Evergreen State Fairgrounds in Monroe, WA on Saturday, April 28, 2012 from 9 AM to 4
PM. The Business Expo is hosted by the Port-to-Pass Partners and is designed to
connect manufacturers, retail businesses and government agencies in order to bring
more customers and economic expansion to the region. There is no cost to attend the
Expo but seating is limited so call or e-mail event coordinator, Ted Jackson at 360-793-
1022 or ted.jackson@ci.sultan.wa.us to reserve your spot today.

This Business Expo is an “open house” for manufacturing, retail or service businesses
to learn about new recreation attractions coming to Snohomish County and throughout
the state. Businesses will also learn about services including workforce training and
financing available to help them start up or expand and develop new product lines. For
business participants there will be presentations, discussions and networking
opportunities.

Department of Natural Resources Recreation Program Manager, Mark Mauren;
Department of Commerce Secretary, Rogers Weed; Snohomish County Executive,
Aaron Reardon, and Sara Breslow with the Governor’s Initiative to “Get Out West”; will
be addressing adventure recreation attractions and economic vitality for Washington’s
rural towns and small cities. Mike Brennan, a Washington State Economic
Development Specialist; Bruce Furrer, President of Werner Paddles and Tiffany
McVeety will offer tips on going global and finding funding to expand your business or
product line.

There are four sessions beginning at 9:00am. Each session lasts approximately one
hour with a 30 minute break between each session. Sessions include – Developing
recreation attractions; forming a recreation innovative partnership to support business
expansion; education and workforce training; exporting your products; and financing
your business.

The Business Expo is being held in conjunction with the third annual Recreation and
Sportsman Expo sponsored by Snohomish County. Conference attendees are invited
to set up booths featuring their product lines or stores. For more information find us on
Facebook at www.facebook.com/skyvalleyrec or on the Spring Recreation Expo website
at www.evergreenfair.org/spring-recreation-expo.asp . To reserve a booth or learn
more contact event coordinator, Ted Jackson at 360-793-1022 or
ted.jackson@ci.sultan.wa.us