It appears the Port of South Whidbey will get its fair money after all.
The agency was recently awarded $135,000 in Rural County Economic Development Fund money, and an additional $45,000 from the state Community Economic Revitalization Board. The combined $180,000 paves the way for the port to manage the fairgrounds in Langley for a period of one year, beginning April 1. It will also fund a feasibility study that commissioners hope will determine whether the facility and permanent stewardship is economically sustainable, and draft a business and marketing plan.
The county money was approved by the Island County commissioners, but isn’t strictly a grant. Rural county development money is usually reserved for specific infrastructure type projects, but can be given to certain public agencies, such as ports, for “staff” if they agree to serve as an “economic development office” of the county, according to Angi Mozer, executive director of the port.
In this case, Mozer said the staff would be considered those the port hires to manage the fairgrounds, and the independent contractors or firms that will complete the studies.
Due to the difference, instead of receiving the typical grant the entities will sign a contract that outlines the responsibilities of each party. Furthermore, a separate lease agreement also needs to be hammered out before the port will move forward.
It was clear at the port’s regular meeting Tuesday that there are still a few kinks in both agreements that need to be worked out.
“I gotta tell you, there’s a lessee — the county — and a lessor — the port — and all the advantages go to the lessee,” said Commissioner Curt Gordon, sparking lighthearted chuckling throughout the room.
He also questioned a condition in the contract that would give county officials the right to audit the port’s books without notice, saying it was a “little extreme.”
Commissioner Ed Halloran agreed that additional consideration is needed for both agreements.
“I want to make sure we’re as protected as they are protecting themselves,” Halloran said.
Both commissioners and Mozer, however, are optimistic that the hurdles will be overcome.
In its new capacity as an economic development office of the county, the port will also receive additional $40,000 for two projects in Clinton: a market study meant to identify successful area business, which will help the port target specific industries for recruitment; and help the Clinton Food Shed develop a business and marketing plan.
