Grant County helps fund new substation

EPHRATA — The Grant County commissioners approved a $265,000 grant for a new substation for a BMW parts manufacturer looking to move to Moses Lake.

A press conference about the plant is scheduled for April 6. SGL Automotive Carbon Fibers, a company comprised of BMW Group and SGL Group, is expected to manufacture carbon fibers at the plant. BMW plans to use carbon fibers and fabrics in the electric “Megacity Vehicle,” developed by the car company last year, according to a company Web site.

The commissioners approved the Port and City of Moses Lake’s Strategic Infrastructure Program grant application. The program uses a state sales tax refund to fund projects promoting economic development in the county.

“The committee agrees Project Chinook (the plant) is a worthwhile project and is willing to support the request for grant funds for needed infrastructure,” according to the SIP committee’s recommendation. “The committee is mindful that this is a recommendation for 100 percent grant funding, but makes such a recommendation due to the competitive nature of recruiting such a large scale capital.”

The money is expected to add to a $2 million grant and loan package from the state Community Economic Revitalization Board to pay for a substation to serve the plant, according to the application. The total is about half of the estimated $4.6 million construction cost.

“In this case, the proposed manufacturing project will generate more than 200 direct jobs during the six-year build out of the project and an additional 97 indirect jobs in the community thereafter,” according to the application.

PUD Public Information Officer Dorothy Harris said in a previous interview until there is a formal announcement about the project, the utility doesn’t have any plans for the substation.