Gilliam Co. Court approves grants for housing, childcare

The Gilliam County Court approved funding for two capital investment grants during its regular session on March 6 in Condon. The court also worked to find funding solutions for a third applicant.

Taking recommendations from The Competitive Grant Review Committee, which convened on February 15, 2024, the court looked to fund the fifth cycle of the Capital Investment Grant Applications.

The court’s strategic goals for capital investment grants are narrow and apply to childcare and housing needs in the county.

Three notable applications were reviewed:

1. Pioneer Community Development Corporation (PCDC):

Amount funded: $568,500 Total Project Budget: $758,000

The Pioneer Community Development Corporation (PCDC) purchased two lots at the housing development on the old Condon Baseball Field last year and is working to build a duplex on one of the lots for workforce housing.

Specifically, PCDC has been working with Frontier Regional 911 Agency Director, Jessica Lynch to help meet the housing needs of her staff. Lynch has been attending PCDC board meetings and believes that a lack of housing in Condon has made hiring employees incredibly difficult. Lynch struggled to find a place to live when she took the job at Frontier Regional 911 and now sees a lack of rentals as a significant barrier to staffing up and meeting federal staffing standards. Frontier Regional 911 has relied on contractors who come to the community from across the state for temporary assignments.

PCDC also sees a barrier for schools in Condon and Arlington when they try to hire teachers who also cannot find housing.

PCDC believes that housing growth in Arlington continuing to evolve, as growth throughout the Columbia River Gorge has brought developers to town. But for Condon, PCDC believes that an intervention is needed as housing developers are not inclined to make an investment, despite favorable incentives offered by PCDC.

In their application letter, PCDC said that Condon can “no longer wait for private investors to build new units here.”

With the capital investment funds, PCDC plans to build a 900 square-foot duplex with two-bedrooms and two baths. PCDC has gotten a quote from Hi-Line Homes for $350,000 to build the duplex. PCDC paid $38,000 for the lot.

PCDC believes that the duplex will be completed by November 1 of this year.

In their application, PCDC stated that they plan to apply for an additional capital investment grant to build another duplex in the future.

2. Port of Arlington:

Amount Funded: $1.15 Million Total Budget Cost: $2.035 Million

The Port of Arlington will receive $1.15 Million from the Gilliam County Capital Investment grant to develop a 38.65-acre property for workforce housing.

This is a significant development for workforce housing in Arlington, which is poised for growth.

A year ago, the Port of Arlington purchased the old Proctor property and saw potential in developing nearly 40 acres to meet workforce housing needs. Since that time, the Port has been working through the process of annexation and easements with the City of Arlington.

The tentative plan is to develop twelve lots to be called Alkali Ridge, which was approved by the Arlington Planning Commission in November.

In the proposal, Port of Arlington CEO Jed Crowther said that “In less than one year, this effort has advanced the project into development mode.”

With the grant funding from the court, the Port of Arlington will build a new looped road that will connect with Columbia View Drive. The estimated cost for building this road is $731,800. The Port will also utilize $471,500 for an additional roadway needed for lot creation.

The Port has plans to create residential lots that will help to bring lot prices to an affordable price. The Port plans to eventually sell these lots and will get a return on investment, which it plans to roll into future projects.

Large employers, such as Waste Management, have long lamented the absence of housing for its employees, many of whom travel from Goldendale, The Dalles, and beyond to work at the site. Local employees will not only be more reliable, but would also help to impact the town of Arlington and to boost local spending, entrepreneurship, and school enrollment.

The Arlington School District has also had challenges for housing new employees and recently took matters into its own hands, deciding to build two homes on the school’s property. With this development, additional needs for the school could be met.

There is also talk of a data center coming to the area, which could result in additional long-term jobs. Without housing, developing industry and maintaining employees at businesses and schools would be a challenge.

3. The Honker’s Nest:

Amount Requested: $175,000

Amount Funded: $25,000 from Operational Grant

Arlington’s childcare and early education facility was looking to provide new playground equipment and furnishings for children but when significant problems were discovered in the building, the priorities shifted.

Mold in the kitchen and a failing subfloor were discovered when a new stove and refrigerator were installed recently. The modular building that is more than thirty years old has significant problems and Director Kelsey Beard worked quickly to remove hazardous materials and to bring the facility up to safety standards. The facility had to use its existing funding to make these fixes, which eliminated its ability to make the 25% match for the new project of remodeling the building and getting new playground equipment, toys and furniture.

The court did see progress at the Honker’s Nest and its transition to Quickbooks helped the grant committee to feel confident in its abilities but it did not approve of funding for the furniture. The court opted to move funds from the Operations Grant to help cover the facility improvement costs. Director Kelsey Beard shared her concerns about furniture needs and making the space adequate for providing childcare without the court’s additional investment in furniture, toys, and a playground.