'Project Chinook' could mean 200 new jobs
Lynne Lynch/Columbia Basin Herald<br> Bonnie Lamb, of the Port of Moses Lake, and Port Commissioner Brian McGowan and Mike Conley, during Monday's port meeting.
MOSES LAKE — Port of Moses Lake commissioners approved a state funding application on Monday to build an electrical substation for a mystery company eyeing Grant County.
If the money is obtained, it would help a company dubbed “Project Chinook.”
The real name of “Project Chinook” hasn’t been revealed publicly.
In October Terry Brewer, executive director of the Grant County Economic Development Council (EDC), described “Project Chinook” as an international manufacturing company expected to create more than 200 new jobs.
He said it was a “well-known” company and a “clean energy project.”
The EDC was working with a site selection company representing the business.
Brewer wasn’t immediately available for additional comment late Monday.
The port’s application to the Washington State Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) involves a $500,000 grant and a $1.5 million loan, said Craig Baldwin, the port’s executive manager.
“My understanding is, they’ve made no decisions yet,” Baldwin said about Project Chinook’s location decision.
In order for the port to meet the CERB application deadline, the port went ahead and made the application, Baldwin said.
The application is pending if the project comes to town, he added.
Port Commissioner Brian McGowan made a motion to approve the resolution. It passed unanimously.
After the meeting, Baldwin said he understood the company was looking at two sites in Moses Lake and a site outside the country, possibly in Canada.
The port didn’t have any property available, but is allowed to process state grants, he explained.