City of Ephrata, port enter interlocal agreement for economic grant

EPHRATA — In a move towards driving economic revitalization, the City of Ephrata has entered into an Interlocal Agreement with the Grant County Port District No. 9. The agreement aims to facilitate a joint application for a grant from the Community Economic Revitalization Board, providing an opportunity for the City and Port to collaboratively develop a comprehensive economic development plan. 

During the City Council meeting on November 19, 2025, the council unanimously approved Resolution 25-080, which authorizes the City to partner with the Port to pursue the CERB grant, which has the potential to fund up to $100,000 — 80% of the total project cost — leaving a 20% matching requirement shared equally between the City and the Port, amounting to $10,000 each. 

"The first step in many things we want to do is working together to expand opportunities within the community for employment and an increased tax base,” said Ray Towry, Ephrata's City Administrator.  

He added that enhancing the city’s commercial and industrial base is crucial for funding essential services such as parks, streets, and schools.  

"We need to make that property more desirable for companies to grow into, expand into, or start at," he said. 

The collaboration stems from a workshop held in June, where both entities explored how they could synergize their efforts to attract new businesses to the port area.  

"It is important that we target businesses that will thrive and not just bring in any business that may not be successful,” Towry said.  

Port Executive Director David Lanman echoed Towry's sentiments about the necessity of working collaboratively.  

"We just decided as two entities that we'd like to join forces, join our resources, and see if we can find a way to help expedite the growth of this area,” Lanman said.  

The ILA establishes clear roles and responsibilities for both parties, with the Port taking the lead on grant management and the application process. 

According to the resolution, the purpose of the ILA is to delineate the cooperative mechanisms for the grant application process and to specify how funds will be utilized. If awarded the grant, the funds will be allocated to hire a consultant tasked with identifying viable industries suitable for the Ephrata area, as well as determining the necessary infrastructure improvements to attract these industries. 

"The consultant will help us figure out what industries might be best suited for this area and worth our time in pursuing," Lanman said.  

This approach, he added, is designed to provide a systematic evaluation of potential economic generators that could significantly enhance the local economy and provide measurable benefits to residents. 

The deadline for submission is set for Jan. 26, 2026. 

"Once we submit the paperwork, we hope for a response by summer, potentially," he said. 

The overall strategy aims to prepare an economic development plan that not only pinpoints essential infrastructure — such as roads, water, and power — but also prioritizes projects for future grants to facilitate construction and development. The expected outcome will be a finalized economic development plan, which will be adopted by both the City Council and the Port Commission upon its completion. 

Both Towry and Lanman acknowledge the potential long-term benefits of this partnership.  

"The benefits would be bringing in a company that provides jobs, pays property taxes, and increases the value of remaining properties at the Port," Lanman said. 

Towry reiterated a similar sentiment. 

“We struggle because we don’t have a large commercial or industrial base that provides property tax to the city, which is how we pay for our parks and streets,” Towry said. “This is the first step to lower bond and levy amounts for our community members because if we bring in new businesses they will help share those costs.”