In The News
House Speaker Pelosi visits Chambers Creek project funded by Infrastructure and Jobs Act
by Shauna Sowersby
Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, joined U.S. House Rep. Marilyn Strickland at Chambers Creek watershed in Pierce County on Wednesday to discuss the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. "This remarkable backdrop reminds us of America's collective obligation to care for nature's life-giving wonders," Pelosi said. "The health and livelihood of working families depend on good stewardship." Other local leaders also spoke, including Bill Sterud, Chairman of the Puyallup T… Continue Reading
04.24.22
Kilmer honored for work on economic development
U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer (WA-06) has been recognized for his work as a leader of workforce development policies in Congress and presented with the 2022 Sentinel Award by the American Society of Association Executives. That membership organization has more than 44,000 association executives and industry partners representing 5,700 organizations. ASAE recognized Kilmer for his efforts to strengthen America's economy during COVID-19 pandemic recovery - and for his leadership on workforce developmen… Continue Reading
04.19.22
Washington Rep. Kilmer praises Congress’ efforts during pandemic, but still more to be done
by Dave Ross
Congress is in the midst of passing a bill to move the economy forward and reduce costs for the public, as legislation that is necessary to curb the economic effects of the pandemic, according to Washington Rep. Derek Kilmer. The bill will attempt to fix supply chain issues the pandemic disrupted. "We are overly dependent on other countries for chips or semiconductors," he told KIRO Newsradio's Dave Ross. "The consequence of that is we're in an international battle to try to get a handle of ch… Continue Reading
04.18.22
A bill to cut billions in government waste
by Dan Lips
With millions of people filing their federal taxes this week, it's a good time to check in on the nation's finances. Last year, the federal government ran a nearly $2.8 trillion deficit. That pushed publicly held debt to an incomprehensible $24 trillion , or more than $70,000 per person. Washington is projected to spend at least $1 trillion more than the government receives in taxes each year through the end of the decade. Reversing the federal government's current unsustainable fiscal path wi… Continue Reading
04.15.22
Grant sparks Port of Port Angeles site design
by Leah Leach
PORT ANGELES - The Port of Port Angeles has received funding to start building the Marine Trade Industrial Park. The port is getting a $7.3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration to begin the work of hiring an engineering consultant to create a design for site development of 18 acres on Marine Drive. "This has been the port's highest strategic goal, to develop this site for a productive use, since the mill closed in 2011," said Chris Hartman, d… Continue Reading
04.15.22
White House announces $46 million in climate resilience funding for Tribal communities Read more at: https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/state/washington/article260317250.html#storylink=cpy
by Natasha Brennan
Tribal communities will soon receive $46 million in funding to address climate change, the Department of the Interior announced Monday, April 11. The funding is made available from President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and 2022 appropriations for projects and initiatives that address and strengthen climate resilience and adaptation; ocean and coastal management; community-driven relocation and protect-in-place activities; as well as internships and youth engagement. "As the effects of … Continue Reading
04.14.22
PORT OF PORT ANGELES RECEIVES $7.3 MILLION GRANT TO DEVELOP INDUSTRIAL PARK
WASHINGTON - On Wednesday, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo and 6th District Congressman Derek Kilmer announced that the Department's Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $7.3 million grant to the Port of Port Angeles to support construction of a new industrial park. A news release says the project will catalyze the creation of good-paying jobs in the maritime services sector by developing the infrastructure needed to support new and existing businesses in Clallam Cou… Continue Reading
04.07.22
‘It’s happening now’: how rising sea levels are causing a US migration crisis
by Max Ufberg
Sea levels have risen about 9in since 1880, with one-third of that gain from the last 25 years alone. Every year, a flurry of reports are published warning of the risk to towns and cities along coastal areas. It's one thing to hear about a looming disaster; it's another to see the cataclysm play out in real time. That's what's happening in Taholah, a village on Washington's coast that acts as the capital for the Quinault Indian Nation, a tribe of about 3,600 members. In Taholah, climate change-… Continue Reading
03.25.22
New money arrives for local affordable housing projects in Hilltop and with Habitat Read more at: https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/article259691925.html#storylink=cpy
by Debbie Cockrell
New funding for affordable housing projects in Tacoma are providing a shot in the arm for Hilltop and the local Habitat for Humanity. On Thursday city officials joined U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer in the Hilltop neighborhood to celebrate $4.5 million in federal funding to support two projects providing affordable housing and job opportunities. The initiatives were included in a 12-bill government funding package in which Kilmer advocated for the projects. Of the funding, $3 million goes to the Tacom… Continue Reading
03.25.22
$4.5 million secured for new affordable housing, jobs in Tacoma's Hilltop neighborhood
by Franque Thompson
TACOMA, Wash. - Major developments are in the works for Tacoma's historic Hilltop Neighborhood. U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer helped secure $4.5 million in federal funds that will support new affordable housing options, economic growth and a revitalization of the community. Hilltop is so special to the people who live and work in the neighborhood. Community members said they are so excited the area is finally getting some new developments because they feel it is often overlooked and underser… Continue Reading
03.24.22
Tacoma's Hilltop neighborhood receives millions in federal funding
by Lionel Donovan
TACOMA, Wash. - Community leaders gathered at Tacoma's Urban Performing Arts Center on Thursday to celebrate a renewed effort to invest in the Hilltop community. The U.S. House of Representatives recently approved $4.5 million in federal funding to support two projects in Tacoma's historically Black neighborhood. Of that $4.5 million, $3 million will go towards the development of nearly 200 units of affordable housing, which would become available to households earning up to 60% of the… Continue Reading
03.24.22
Bremerton boosters celebrate $2.5 million in federal funding for Quincy Square Project
by Bob Smith
Core supporters of the Quincy Square Project revitalization, next to the Historic Roxy Theatre in downtown Bremerton, gathered on Wednesday to celebrate the passage of $2.5 million in new federal funding for the effort. U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer of the 6th Congressional District championed the funding request, which was part of a 12-bill government funding package and passed with bipartisan support. President Biden signed it into law earlier this month. The bill included the Quincy Square Project… Continue Reading
03.17.22
Kilmer Secures Federal Funding for Three Tribal Relocation Efforts in Western Washington
Last Wednesday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed critical funding that has been championed by U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) to support tribal relocation efforts in Western Washington. The twelve-bill government funding package, which passed the House with bipartisan support, included $1,650,000 in federal funding for the Hoh Tribe's relocation development project, $1,479,355 in federal funding for the Quileute Tribe's Move to Higher Ground water system improvement project, an… Continue Reading
03.14.22
Projects in WA will get more than $200M in federal funding; here are the highlights
by Hal Bernton
The federal spending package that cleared Congress will finance dozens of Washington projects ranging from a bridge replacement in Everett to rebuilding a sewer system in the Whitman County town of Malden, which was gutted by wildfire in 2020. The bankrolling of specific projects marks a return of what was once known as earmarking but the Senate now calls "congressionally directed spending" and the House has described as "community project funding." This time around, Congress is funding nonpro… Continue Reading
03.12.22
Aberdeen and Hoquiam levee projects in line for nearly $10 million in federal funding
by Erika Gebhardt
The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill on Wednesday, March 9, that includes nearly $10 million in funding for the Aberdeen-Hoquiam Flood Protection Project. The $1.5 trillion omnibus package to fund the federal government through the remainder of the 2022 fiscal year includes $9,950,000 to support levees in Aberdeen and Hoquiam, as well as the Fry Creek Pump station. The funding comes from a capital budget request made by Representative for Washington's 6th Congressional District Derek… Continue Reading
03.11.22
Federal Funding To Assist QIN Relocate Village
In addition to funding for local levees, Representative Derek Kilmer announced that the recently passed omnibus spending bill out of the federal government included funds to help the Quinault Indian Nation. The funds would be used to continue efforts to move Taholah from the lower to upper village locations. The U.S. House of Representatives passed the funding bill that featured 10 projects championed by Representative Kilmer. One of those projects supports tribal relocation efforts in Western… Continue Reading
03.11.22
REP. KILMER SECURES MILLIONS IN FEDERAL FUNDS FOR LOCAL PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS
PORT ANGELES - 6th District Congressman Derek Kilmer appeared on the Todd Ortloff Show Thursday to report some very good news about his success securing new federal funding for multiple programs and projects in our region. Kilmer, who serves on the House Appropriations Committee, took full advantage of new guidelines that allow each representative to request funding for up to 10 projects in their community for fiscal year 2022. In fact, he's batting 1,000. "Well, here's what was cool. The rule… Continue Reading
03.10.22
House Approves $9,950,000 To Support Aberdeen-Hoquiam Flood Protection Project
On Wednesday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed funding, championed by U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer, to support the Aberdeen-Hoquiam Flood Protection Project. In a release from Kilmer's office, he says that the funding package, which passed the House with bipartisan support, included $9,950,000 in federal funding for the levee project that aims to provide coastal flood protection, improve the storm drainage systems in the cities of Aberdeen and Hoquiam, and reduce flood insurance cos… Continue Reading
03.10.22
Coastal tribes may soon have more money to move to higher ground in Washington state
by Paige Browning
The federal government is just a step away from approving relocation money for three Native American coastal tribes in Washington state. The Hoh Tribe, Quileute Tribe and Quinault Indian Nation are at risk of tsunamis and disastrous flooding. It's a problem that's worsening as climate change advances. On Wednesday, the U.S. House approved about $3.6 million in new funding to help them relocate to higher ground. Hoh Tribal Chairwoman Lisa Martinez says this allotment would mean a lot. "I … Continue Reading
03.10.22
Kilmer locks down $9.95 million in federal funding for Aberdeen, Hoquiam levee projects
by Erika Gebhardt
The Office of U.S. representative for Washington's 6th Congressional District Derek Kilmer (D-Gig Harbor) on Wednesday, March 9, announced nearly $10 million in funding for the Aberdeen-Hoquiam Flood Protection Project. The project includes the North Shore Levee, the North Shore Levee-West Segment, and the Fry Creek Pump Station. In total, the two levees will provide almost 11 miles of flood protection for properties located along the Hoquiam and Wishkah rivers. "Congressman Kilmer knows o… Continue Reading