Ybarra proposes bill to help rural county economies grow

OLYMPIA — Rep. Alex Ybarra, R-Quincy, is sponsoring a bill that would grant certain rural counties in Washington state more time to designate industrial land banks for large-scale development, aiming to expand job opportunities and local economies.  

House Bill 2006, which received a public hearing ahead of the Local Government Committee on Tuesday, would extend the deadline for qualifying rural countries to designate industrial land banks under the Growth Management Act. This would allow major industrial projects to be planned and built for manufacturing, industrial, or commercial businesses too large to fit in existing cities.  

“Many rural counties simply ran out of time under the old deadlines,” Ybarra said. “This bill would give a second chance to communities that want to create family-wage jobs and attract investment, while still following the same strong planning and environmental standards.”  

Currently, only counties that designated land banks before 2016 are able to plan and build industrial developments. If passed, the bill would allow a rural county that has a sales-and-use tax for economic development to appoint one or more industrial land banks during its next required comprehensive plan before the end of 2027.  

According to Ybarra, the bill would produce stable job opportunities, especially in counties with higher unemployment rates, by creating competitive environments for manufacturing, resource-based industries, and other large employers that require large parcels of land.  

Bryce Yadon, government affairs representative for the non-profit land planning organization Futurewise, testified in opposition. Yadon expressed concern that the bill’s one year time frame is not enough to ensure land use is compatible with agricultural land. 

“Trying to identify spots that aren't impacting agricultural lands is difficult,” Yandon said. “It’s a long, drawn-out process.”  

Cory Wright, Kittitas County commissioner, and Chad Bala, the county’s planning director, shared similar concerns but testified in support, arguing that Kittitas and other rural counties are struggling to generate tax revenue and local jobs.  

“We need some type of industry that can help facilitate Kittitas County,” Bala said.  

Bala suggested adding an amendment that extends the time to designate industrial land banks to two years rather than one, allowing for more careful planning.  

Ybarra emphasized that the bill would not weaken growth management laws but allow counties the flexibility to invite more business and economic opportunities into their communities.  

“This is about smart planning, not unchecked growth," Ybarra said. 

The bill is scheduled for an executive session at the House Local Government Committee on Friday, Jan. 30.