Government funds that aid businesses

This editorial appears in the Feb. 7, 2012, Yakima Herald-Republic.

In the wake of the nation's wrenching economic recession, the Yakima Valley is rebuilding its job base one business at a time. And while we all seek a magic recipe for job creation, we'll note that infrastructure investments -- enabled by state funds-- are an important ingredient.

Word came recently that a new brewery is planned just outside Moxee and in the middle of hop country. The aptly named Trellis Brewing Co. this year hopes to build a $3 million operation, and a key factor is the approval of an $877,000 grant-and-loan package to extend a water line from the city of Moxee. The brewery expects to provide up to 25 jobs in the next three years.

The 10,000-foot water line, running westerly from Moxee along State Route 24 to near the brewery's site on Birchfield Road, could open the entire area to development. Economic officials say this helps fill a strong need for light industrial property in the Upper Valley.

When it opens, Trellis will be one of a half-dozen or so craft breweries in the Yakima Valley, the beginning of an industry synergy that has long helped the Valley's wine industry thrive.

Farther south near Wapato, fiberglass and plastics manufacturer Amtech has received a $490,000 grant -- matched by the Yakama Nation -- to expand its operation. The money will turn a vacant building into a manufacturing space, and that will add about 35 jobs to the current roster of 180.

The funds for Trellis and Amtech come courtesy of the Supporting Investments in Economic Diversification board, which lives up to its name with recent outlays supporting a brewery and a manufacturer. The SIED board allocates money from a state sales-tax fund that assists economically depressed counties.

New and expanding businesses need land and infrastructure like water/sewer and reliable transportation. Improvements such as these are sound investments that put Yakima County in a position to compete for job-creating businesses -- and to help grow the ones we have. As officials and the public scrutinize government expenditures in these tight economic times, all should note that here is a public-private partnership that benefits us all.

* Members of the Yakima Herald-Republic editorial board are Sharon J. Prill, Bob Crider, Frank Purdy and Karen Troianello.