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Commissioners, the plan lists the WA State Horse Park Covered Arena as a high priority strategic <br />objective. <br />X Other: 2018 State Biennial Capital Budget-Officially Adopted May 2018 <br />A $2.0 million appropriation for the WA State Horse Park Covered Arena and Associated Build-Out <br />project was included in the budget, passed by both the Senate and the House, and approved <br />unanimously. <br />7. Explain how this infrastructure project hat been coordinated, or will be coordinated with other <br />Jurl1dlcdons, such as counties, cities, state/federal agencies, and with economic development <br />organizations during planning, design, financing, construction and/or operation phases. <br />Coordination has been the bedrock of Horse Park since 1986 when the Washington State Legislature <br />appropriated funds to the Washington State Department of Agriculture for investigation of the <br />economic impact of Washington's horse industry. The study recommended such a facility to promote <br />and serve the recreational horse industry in the state and ''provide economic benefits through equine <br />activities." (See FFEI-WSHP App IV, pg3). Co-ordination continued in 1991 with $200 thousand of <br />state funding for an e.questrian planning study. It was codified in 1995 with the passage ofRCW <br />67.18 (recodified 79A.30) to "establish a first-class horse park facility in Washington to meet the <br />important needs of the state's horse industry, attract investment, enhance recreational opportunities, <br />and bring new exhibitors and tourists to the state from throughout the region and beyond." The RCW <br />even speaks to the importance of continued interaction noting "a unique opportunity exists to form a <br />partnership between state, county, and private interests to create a major horse park facility that will <br />provide public recreation opportunities and statewide economic and employment benefits. <br />The RCW also established the Washington Horse Park Authority, a nonprofit corporation directed by <br />volunteer board members who are appointed by the governor and must be from across the state, and <br />experienced in the business side of horse shows and events. One member must represent the <br />WaBhington State Parks and Recreation Commission and another the local interest of the community <br />where the Horse Park is located (based on recommendations from County Commissioners). The <br />Board currently comprises eleven members who represent a over 300 years of oombined experience <br />in a range of horse disciplines: four members are full-time trainers, seven members C\ll'relltly ride <br />horse themselves. The Horse Park Authority actively seeks to fill Board positions with individuals <br />who can help the Horse Parle continue to expand its user base and facilities. More information is <br />available under Governance at wahorsepark.org. <br />At its May 27, 2014 City Council Meeting, City of Cle Elum Council members voted unanimously <br />for a resolution "Supporting the Application for Distressed County Sales Tax Funding for the Design, <br />Engineerin& and Pennitting of a Covered Arena for the Washington State Horse Park, located in Cle <br />Elum" (Exhibit IV), <br />The Washington State Horse Park has been awarded a total of over $200 thousand in eight <br />consecutive-year grants by the Kittitas County Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (and, most <br />recently, the Consolidated Kittitas County Lodging Tax Advisory Committee), approved by the <br />Board of Commissioners, in recognition of the Horse Park's value as an economic driver for tourism <br />efforts in Kittitas County. <br />The Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Committee (EDC) recognizes <br />the Horse Park plays to the strengths and opportunities of Kittitas County that were defined in the TIP <br />Strategies report (noted in Item 6) and the facility will be a valuable aid in developing Recreational <br />Wa~on State Horse Park Distressed County Sales and Use Tax Grant Application pg9/2S