The Island County Council of Governments green lighted Langley’s request for economic development funds, though it is significantly less than what the city requested in June and will not include money for the arts.

It is only the first major step in securing the funding, however, as final approval rests with the Island County commissioners; the council of governments acts in an advisory capacity, making recommendations to the board.

Mayor Tim Callison said at a city council meeting on Aug. 1 that a $137,000 grant was approved by the council, which was trimmed down from the city’s original request of $576,000. The initial application included requests to finance personnel in economic development offices, capital improvements such as the renovation of the visitor information center and restroom, and arts projects like the facelift of Seawall Park. The council was unconvinced, however, that the arts were worthy of funding. Callison had to readjust the application in order for it to be approved by Island County Commissioners in October.

“I was finally able to convince the council members that the rural economic development grant application that we put forward was actually legitimate and could be moved onto the commissioners,” Callison said at the meeting.

Callison said the $137,000 will be used for small infrastructure projects around town that will help with the commercial core, the look and feel of the town, its assets and help generate tourism activities. Efforts will also be made to reach out to companies or industries that may want to move to Langley or South Whidbey, Callison said at the meeting.

A joint meeting between the city and the Port of South Whidbey will also take place sometime in September to discuss economic development activities, marina expansion and fairgrounds. Callison said in a phone interview Tuesday morning that nearly all of the port’s major assets are within city limits, and that a solid relationship between the two parties would prove beneficial for economic growth. State law also requires the grant funds be used by an Island County economic development office or port.

“We have a great relationship already and we look forward to an even stronger one now that they are taking over the [fairgrounds],” Callison said.

Frank Rose, chairman of the Langley Arts Commission, said that without funding for the arts, projects like the proposed transformation of Seawall Park into an arts-centric icon for the city will be hampered. Rose believes the arts have played an integral role in the economic development of the city in past years.

“My take is that the county doesn’t recognize the value of public art in tourism,” Rose said. “They don’t see that connection. If you look around the state and see what other counties have done, they’re taking advantage of public art. It’s an intrinsic and valuable piece of tourism.”

Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly said the grant had received final approval. It has not. The council of government’s recommendation must be approved by the Island County commissioners.