PROPOSED NEWPORT SOUTH BENCH BUSINESS PARK South Bench

PROPOSED NEWPORT SOUTH BENCH BUSINESS PARK

South Bench Business Park Partners Currently Include:

The loss of Ponderay Newsprint and Teck mine equates to a loss of approximately $264, 000 to the local economy. • Pend Oreille County citizens were asked how the “overall quality of life in Pend Oreille County” would be if Ponderay Newsprint and Teck mine were to close. Responses were 56% and 47%, respectively, as “very bad”. • Source – Pend Oreille County Economic Development Study – July 2018.

Loss of major industry in P. O. County “The estimated magnitude of the negative impact that would be caused by the loss of one or both of these major employers is very significant. ” – EDC 2018 Study “would have a crippling effect of the economic future and quality of life of Pend Oreille County. ” – EDC 2018 Study

The study may also include additional lands currently owned by the City of Newport and additional properties on the South Bench that may be acquired by the City

Resources committed thus far to the project include: • • • • • Pend Oreille County - Land exchange – consultant and in-house resources Pend Oreille County - Site survey and initial lot layout (conceptual) Pend Oreille County EDC – REDI Grant specifically for the Business Park Pend Oreille County EDC – Continued marketing support for the entire Business Park City of Newport – Completion of $3. 8 million dollar water treatment facility City of Newport – Completion of preliminary engineering for sewer to support the proposed Business Park City of Newport – Support with UGA boundary application and future annexation City of Newport – Engineering support for site layout of water and sewer utilities City of Newport – On-going discussions with WSDOT for site access from Highway 2 Port of Pend Oreille – Potential management of the Business Park Port of Pend Oreille –Creative financing options not available to municipalities and counties Port of Pend Oreille – Rail/freight support of proposed businesses Pend Oreille PUD – Commissioned the “Ady Report” – Specifically looking at PNC and South Bench sites Dept. of Commerce – Financial support specifically for the creation of Business Parks in Washington State Dept. of Commerce – Financial support for infrastructure and upgrades Dept. of Commerce – Support in UGA boundary and annexation process Kalispel Tribe – Written support for the Business Park project Support from elected State and Federal officials for the project

Benefits of a Business Park in a Small Community “The development of a business park just outside a city provides added economic stimulus to create retail and housing for the benefit of future workers and the community” – Site Selection Magazine “supported by universities for commercial collaboration, and by local government in order to improve community prosperity” – Business Magazine “employment of 50 persons in a basic industry will create secondary and tertiary jobs throughout the community and region” – Planning. org

Proposed Use of CERB Funds Preliminary planning of the proposed site to include Drone/Lidar fly-over for survey and layout Identify road access and easements to the property Identify proposed routes for utilities from the City of Newport to the property Determine level of environmental analysis required for property development Cultural studies in partnership with the Kalispel Tribe Rail analysis to support proposed businesses

Advantages of the South Bench location: • Located within an “Opportunity Zone” – able to take advantage of preferential tax treatment • Ease of access to Highway 2 • Access to City utilities and Services • Proximity to major workforce • Ability for continued growth and economic development • Public/Private partnerships able to leverage potential funding sources more easily • Continued financial and technical support from the Department of Commerce • Low cost/clean hydro-electric power provided by the PUD • Community support