More businesses joining Main Street tax program

Funds at $80,000, still money available before Dec. 1

MOSES LAKE - More Moses Lake businesses are putting their tax dollars toward downtown revitalization.

The Moses Lake Business Association is reporting at least eight contributors new this year to the state's Main Street Tax Credit Incentive Program.

Under the program, businesses may make a donation to downtown renovations. The state provides a maximum of $100,000 back in the form of business and occupation, or B & O, tax credits to each participating city. Seventy-five percent of a business' contribution is their tax credit.

Central Washington Asphalt, Inc., Colbasia Cabinets, North Central Construction, Red Rock Creek, Inc.; Valley Eye Care, Vision Clinic and Ag World Support Systems have all made first-time contributions this year to the program.

They join American West Bank, Cobblestone Corner, Columbia Colstor, Credit Services of Central Washington, Discovery Ford/Honda and Moses Lake Steel, who are past contributors making the contribution again this year.

There is one contributor association Executive Director Sally Goodwin said is unknown.

"We want to help the city," Pamp Maiers Sr., owner of Central Washington Asphalt and North Central Construction, said. "Just spend it wisely."

"Just for the development of the city," Red Rock Creek, Inc., owner Rob Weber said of the reasons for his participation.

"To help better the community we live in," Ag World Support Systems President Bryan Henninger agreed.

"We want to make our downtown continue its upswing of looking better," Colbasia Cabinets owner Cindy Good said.

"It's the people that have the businesses and the concern that are putting the money in," Weber added.

He often hears from people who believe the City of Moses Lake is spending the money, he said.

"It's not city money, it's all people donating," he said.

"It's all grassroots," Goodwin echoed.

Goodwin and association employee Heather Eblen said efforts have been going well this year.

"It's been a community effort, for sure," Eblen said. "Word's getting around better."

Goodwin and Eblen said $80,000 has been raised so far; the association aims to raise $133,000 by Dec. 1.

"But it's first come, first serve," Goodwin cautioned. "If the money's all gone by the other communities, we can't still be guaranteed $133,000, because there's $1.5 million for the whole state, and 22 cities that are raising money for this. So the first ones that get theirs in, that say, 'Yeah, we're going to use this much,' if it's all gone, we're left out in the cold."