$5.2 million for PUD 3, tribe plans

Mason PUD 3 received $3 million in federal funding for its Belfair Electrical Capacity Infrastructure Project, while the Skokomish Tribe received $2.2 million for its T3ba'das Infrastructure Project to create housing.

The funding was announced last week by the office of U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer, D-Gig Harbor, who voted to pass the Consolidated Appropriations Act government funding legislation. In a news release, Kilmer states he led the efforts to secure funding for the projects through the House Appropriations Committee's Community Project Funding process. The project was supported by Mason County, Mason PUD 3, the Mason County Economic Council, the Bonneville Power Administration and the Skokomish Tribe.

Mason PUD 3 will use the money to support electrical capacity to enable economic development in Mason County and "assist Belfair's ability to recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic," the news release states. The Skokomish Tribe will use the money to support the construction of roads, sidewalks, utilities and other infrastructure to complete the development of about 20 acres of tribal trust land into buildable lots for new housing.

On the Belfair Electrical Capacity Infrastructure Project, Kilmer in the news release stated, "As we work to recover from this pandemic, we've got to ensure that communities have the resources they need to attract new investment, create new jobs and build local economies. That's why I'm thrilled to secure $3 million in new federal funding to help Mason County build out essential electrical infrastructure that can help attract new businesses and investment and increase regional grid resilience for existing customers."

In the news release, Mason PUD 3 General Manager Annette Creekpaum said, "We are so appreciative of Rep. Kilmer's work on securing funding for Mason PUD 3's Belfair Electrical Capacity Infrastructure Project as it will have a significant impact on the reliability of the PUD's electric system and ensure the ability to continue to serve the residents and businesses in the North Mason area well into the future. It will also save PUD ratepayers the equivalent of a nearly 10% rate increase."

The Skokomish Tribe will use the $2.2 million to construct the infrastructure for about 20 single-family homes and for multifamily units.

"Across our region, we need more affordable housing - including for Native communities," Kilmer said. "That's why I'm thrilled to secure $2.2 million in new federal funding to build new affordable housing in Mason County. These projects will not only ensure more Skokomish Tribe members can return to their ancestral homelands, but also help ease housing challenges for non-Tribal citizens that live nearby."

In the news release, Charles "Guy" Miller, chairman of the Skokomish Tribal Council, said, "Housing has been one of the most substantial limiting factors to community development for our Tribe. We have a substantial waitlist for housing, but also are suffering the impacts of climate change which are increasing the frequency of floods to our community. The Skokomish River is still the most frequently flooded river in Washington State."