Benton's work pays off: $61 million in capital budget for Clark County projects

April 21, 2007

OLYMPIA…State Sen. Don Benton, R-Vancouver, won $61 million in state funding for local projects in the agreed upon 2007-09 capital budget approved by the Senate today. (ESHB 1092) 

Innovative Services Northwest - $1.9 million
Innovative Services Northwest provides therapy, resources, child care, vocational training and employment for children and adults with developmental disabilities. 

“This funding will help Innovative Services Northwest consolidate their five agencies into one building on land they were able to get donated,” Benton said. “This is truly a public-private partnership.” 

Clark County Skills Center - $1.118 million
The skills center serves students who may not otherwise stay in high school and graduate. These students spend part of their day learning a trade or vocation that will lead to good-paying jobs. 

Last year, Benton won funding in the 2006 supplemental operating budget to support the Clark County Skills Center summer program and $72,000 for new equipment. 

“I am very supportive of this skills center,” Benton said. “It is the answer for so many youths who might not otherwise be successful young adults.” 

Benton also went to bat for and won funding for Clark County educational and park facilities:

• WSU Vancouver, undergraduate classroom building - $24.350 million

• WSU Vancouver, applied technology classroom building - $4.770 million

• Clark College, East County Satellite - $27.184 million

• Evergreen School District Health and Biosciences Academy - $1 million

• South Fishers Landing Park acquisition - $468,304

• East Image Park acquisition - $220,200 

“I am very pleased with the capital budget on behalf of the people of Clark County,” Benton said. “We won funding for some important projects.”

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Additional contact Penny Drost at (360) 786-7522
or drost.penny@leg.wa.gov