TIB awards Pateros year-end chip seal multiple locations grant

PATEROS – As the curtain came down on 2024, the city still had a Christmas present or two to unwrap heading into a new year. One was a several hundred-thousand-dollar gift from the state Transportation Improvement Board (TIB).

The Nov. 22 advisory to Mayor Kelly Hook disclosed TIB’s selection of the city’s street improvement application. It read:

“Congratulations! The TIB is pleased to announce the selection of your project, 2025 Chip Seal Multiple Locations. TIB is awarding 100 percent of approved eligible costs with a maximum grant of $343,064.”

More welcome news came from the federal government and reported to the city council by City Administrator Jord Wilson.

“The IRS finally sent reimbursement for the solar project making the entire $199,456.23 project paid for with grant funding,” Wilson said.

The IRS payment of $14,443.23 was the final portion of the nearly $200,000 project to install a 43.5 kilowatt (kW) solar system on the city’s new water reservoir. The remainder of the funding was provided by the state Department of Commerce ($125,013) and $60,000 from TransAlta Centralia Board Funding.

More city funding requests are pending. Wilson submitted a $21,400 grant request to FEMA on behalf of the Pateros Fire Department for two thermal imaging cameras.

Wilson also met with USDA Rural Development to discuss funding for the city’s Mall Renovation Project specifically for water, sewer, and stormwater replacement.

“This is one of the main reasons for the project. The utility infrastructure needs replacement,” said Wilson. “They are running the numbers and will give us an estimate of grant and loan opportunities.”

Mike Maltais: 360-333-8483 or michael@ward.media