HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution_PFaciltiesAgmt_CenterFuse2023KITTITAS COUNTY
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
AGENDA DATE:
ACTION REQUESTED:
AGENDA STAFF REPORT
January 17, 2023
Request to Approve a Resolution for the 2023
Distressed County Sales and Use Tax
Infrastructure Improvement Program
Agreement with CenterFuse.
BACKGROUND: The Board of County Commissioners based on
Public Works staff recommendation awarded
$72,000 to CenterFuse at the January 3, 2023,
Agenda session. This Agreement is the final
step in the award process.
INTERACTION: Public Works; CenterFuse
RECOMMENDATION: Approve & Sign the Resolution and the 2023
Distressed County Sales and Use Tax
Infrastructure Improvement Program
Agreement.
HANDLING: Return one (1) original to Public Works
ATTACHMENTS: Resolution; 2023 Distressed County Sales and
Use Tax Infrastructure Improvement Program
Agreement
LEAD STAFF: Mark Cook
Director of Public Works
BOARD OF COUNTY
COUNTY OF KITTITAS
STATE OF WASHINGTON
RESOLUTION NO: 2023 -
APPROVING THE 2023 DISTRESSED COUNTY SALES AND USE TAX
INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM AGREEMENT WITH CENTERFUSE
WHEREAS: The 1999 Legislature did pass RCW 82.14.370 Sales and Use Tax for Public
Facilities in rural counties; and
WHEREAS: These funds may only be used to finance public facilities serving economic
development purposes in rural counties and finance personnel in economic
development offices in the State of Washington; and
WHEREAS: The 2023 Distressed County Sales and Use Tax Infrastructure Improvement Program
Agreement with CenterFuse has been executed by said entity with funding available
January 1, 2023; and
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: The Kittitas County Board of County Commissioners
hereby approves the attached 2023 Distressed County Sales and Use Tax Infrastructure Improvement
Program Agreement with CenterFuse.
ADOPTED this 17th day of January 2023.
Attest:
❑ Clerk of the Board- Julie Kjorsvik
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Cory Wright, Chairman
Brett Wachsmith, Vice -Chairman
❑ Deputy Clerk of the Board- Mandy Buchholz
Laura Osiadacz, Commissioner
2023 DISTRESSED COUNTY SALES AND USE TAX INFRASTRUCTURE
IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM AGREEMENT
BETWEEN KITTITAS COUNTY AND CENTERFUSE
This Contract dated , 2023 is made and entered into by and
between KITTITAS COUNTY ("County"), a subdivision of the State of Washington, and
CENTERFUSE ("Funding Recipient').
WHEREAS, the purpose of this Agreement is to provide for public facility
construction and foster economic development opportunities within Kittitas County;
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the terms and conditions contained herein,
or attached and incorporated and made a part hereof, the County and the Funding
Recipient mutually agree as follows:
Section 1. Scope of Work.
a. Funding Recipient shall provide the services and staff described in its Application
for Funds submitted to the Council of Governments, as Exhibit "A" which is
attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference.
b. Except as otherwise specifically provided in this Agreement, Funding Recipient shall
furnish the following as required to perform the services, described in Paragraph (a)
above, in accordance with this Agreement: Personnel, labor and supervision;
technical, professional and other services. All such services, property and other
items furnished or required to be furnished, together with all other obligations
performed, or required to be performed, by Funding Recipient under this Agreement
are collectively referred to herein as "Services."
Section 2. Payment.
a. As full compensation for satisfactory performance of the Funding Recipient Services,
the County agrees to pay Funding Recipient the sum of seventy-two thousand
dollars ($72,000.00).
b. Additional payment terms: The County will make payment to the Funding Recipient
only on a reimbursement basis, as receipts for any items including marketing and/or
advertising are submitted to the County.
c. Requests for reimbursements must be submitted to:
Kittitas County Public Works
Attn: Joyce White
411 North Ruby, — Suite 1
Ellensburg, WA 98926
4oyice.white(a)co.kittitas.wa.us
Distressed County Sales and Use Tax Infrastructure Improvement Program Funding Agreement
Page 1
d. Timely and accurate financial reporting is required for fund management by Kittitas
County Department of Public Works. Financial reporting requirements for all grant
awards are listed below:
1. Using Kittitas County Department of Public Works reporting forms, applicants
will submit project status reporting forms within fourteen (14) calendar days
from the end of the reporting quarter as specified below:
• Quarter 1 ending date: March 311
• Quarter 2 ending date: June 30th
• Quarter 3 ending date: September 30th
• Quarter 4 ending date: December 3151
Recipients may submit reimbursement requests on a monthly basis on Kittitas
County Department of Public Works reporting forms.
2. Grant recipients who fail in meeting required reporting requirements are
subject to having funding withheld on the fifteenth f151h) day following
the end of the reporting quarter. Failure in submitting the required project
status reports (two consecutive reporting cycles) may result in award
cancellation upon COG review.
3. Financial reporting forms shall be signed by the identified grant official or
designee.
Section 3. Performance by Fundina Recipient.
a. Funding Recipient shall not (by contract, operation of law or otherwise) delegate or
subcontract performance of any Services to any other person or entity without the
prior written consent of the County. Any such delegation or subcontracting without
the County's prior written consent shall be voidable at the County's option.
b. Funding Recipient shall at all times be an independent Funding Recipient and not an
agent or representative of the County with regard to performing the Services.
Funding Recipient shall not represent that it is, or hold itself out as, an agent or
representative of the County. In no event shall Funding Recipient be authorized to
enter into any Agreement or undertaking for or on behalf of the County. It is
understood that the Funding Recipient and the Funding Recipient's staff and
employees are not employees of the County and are not, therefore, entitled to any
benefits provided employees of the County.
c. Funding Recipient shall comply with all applicable laws, ordinances, rules,
regulations, orders, licenses, permits, and other requirements, now or hereafter in
effect, of any governmental authority (including, but not limited to, such requirements
as may be imposed upon the County and applicable to Services). Funding Recipient
shall furnish such documents as may be required to effect or evidence such
compliance. All laws, ordinances, rules, and orders required to be incorporated into
agreements of this character are incorporated into this Agreement by this reference.
Funding Recipient agrees to obtain all required licenses and permits, and further
agrees to keep them in full force and effect during the term of this Agreement.
Distressed County Sales and Use Tax Infrastructure Improvement Program Funding Agreement
Page 2
d. The County and the Funding Recipient agree that in fulfilling the terms and
conditions of this Agreement neither shall discriminate on the basis of race, creed,
color, national origin, age, sex, marital status, or the presence of a physical, sensory,
or mental handicap.
e. The Services shall at all times be subject to inspection by and approval of the
County, but the County's making (or failure or delay in making) such inspection or
approval shall not relieve Funding Recipient of its responsibility to perform the
Services in accord with this Agreement, notwithstanding the County's knowledge of
defective or non -complying performance, or the substantiality or ease of discovering
the same. Funding Recipient shall provide the County with sufficient, safe, and
proper facilities and equipment for such inspection and free access to such facilities.
This contract is subject to review by any Federal or State auditor. Funding Recipient
shall promptly furnish the County or its designee, or such Federal or State auditor
with such information related to the Services as may be requested by the applicable
governmental entity. Funding Recipient shall preserve and maintain all financial
records and records relating to performance of Services under this Agreement for six
(6) years after contract termination. For such duration after the County makes final
payment of compensation due hereunder, Funding Recipient shall provide the
County access to (and the County shall have the right to examine, audit and copy,
with or without notice) all of Funding Recipient's books, documents, papers and
records related to the Services or this Agreement.
g. Funding Recipient understands and acknowledges that Funding Recipient is solely
responsible for its own reporting and accounting of all state, federal, social security, and
local taxes, of every nature, arising from Funding Recipient's performance of this
Agreement. All compensation received by the Funding Recipient will be reported to the
Internal Revenue Service at the end of the calendar year in accord with the applicable
IRS regulations.
h. The grantee shall obligate funding towards construction of the project no later than
six months from the time of grant execution (providing the grantee has not submitted
the project as being "banked" — COG Policy 2018-05). Obligation is expected to take
two forms: consultant contracting or contractor award. Presuming the COG
recommends a design only phase of a proposed Public Facility grant, obligation
requirements are met on the date of grantee signature on consultant design
contract(s). COG recommended construction awards will complete obligation
requirements on the date of grantee signature on construction contracts. Failure in
obligating grant awards within the prescribed timeframe results in the grant award
being remanded back to COG for recommended re -purposing by the Board of
County Commissioners.
L The grantee is obligated to follow Public Facility Fund COG policies in effect at the
time of grant award as reflected in the Resolution signature date authorizing recipient
contracting. COG policies may be obtained from the Department of Public Works
(509) 962-7523.
Distressed County Sales and Use Tax Infrastructure Improvement Program Funding Agreement
Page 3
Section 4. Release, Indemnity, and Hoid Harmless.
The County assumes no liability for the Funding Recipient's actions under this Agreement.
Funding Recipient releases and shall defend, indemnify, and hold harmless the County, its
officers and employees, agents, representatives, attorneys and/or volunteers, from and
against all claims, costs, liabilities, damages, and expenses, (including, but not limited to,
reasonable attorney fees) which arise or may arise or be alleged to arise out of or by
reason of this Agreement including:
• Any fault, negligence, strict liability or product liability of Funding Recipient in
connection with the Services for this Agreement;
• Any lien asserted upon any property of the County in connection with the Services
for this Agreement;
• Any failure of Funding Recipient, or of the Services, to comply with any applicable
law, ordinance, rule, regulation, order, license, permit and other requirement, now or
hereafter in effect, of any governmental authority; or
• Any breach of or default under this Agreement by Funding Recipient.
Section 5. Compliance with Public Records Law.
a. In compliance with Washington's public records law, the County will retain copies of
any documents associated with this Agreement, which may be required by law
unless legally exempt from such retention, for any applicable legally required
retention period.
b. In the event a public records request is made to the County for documents created in
relation to this Agreement, should legal uncertainty arise regarding the disclosability
of any documents under federal or state public records laws, the County shall
provide notice to Funding Recipient pursuant to Washington's public records act,
chapter 42.56 RCW, to allow Funding Recipient to seek a court injunction.
c. The County specifically shall not be liable to Funding Recipient for the County's
release under public records laws of any documents not protected by trademark,
copyright or other law.
Section 6. Industrial Insurance Waiver.
With respect to performance of this Agreement and as to any claims against the County, its
Additional Insureds, officers, agents and employees, the Funding Recipient expressly waives
its immunity under Title 51 of the Revised Code of Washington, the Industrial Insurance Act,
for injuries to Funding Recipient's employees and agrees that the obligations to indemnify,
defend and hold harmless provided in this Agreement extend to any claim brought by or on
behalf of any employee of the Funding Recipient. This waiver is mutually negotiated by the
parties to this Agreement.
Distressed County Sales and Use Tax Infrastructure Improvement Program Funding Agreement
Page 4
Section 7. Insurance and Endorsements.
a. The County may require through a request in writing that the Funding Recipient
provide the County with a certificate, binder, or policy of liability insurance,
acceptable to the County in an amount specified by the County.
b. Such liability insurance shall be such
employees, agents and representatives,
liabilities, damages and expenses arising
property damage that may result from
Agreement, whether such performance
employees, agents or representatives.
as will protect Funding Recipient, its
from all claims, losses, harm, costs,
out of personal injury (including death) or
performance of the Services or this
is by Funding Recipient or any of its
c. Should the County require such liability insurance, the Funding Recipient agrees to
provide proof of insurance prior to commencing performance of this Agreement.
d. Copies of the County's written request and the insurance documents provided by
Funding Recipient shall be attached to this Agreement and by this reference will be
made part hereof.
e. Where insurance is requested by the County, all liability insurance policies shall be
endorsed to include the County as an Additional Insured and shall stipulate that the
insurance afforded by the policies shall be primary insurance, and that any
insurance, self-insured retention, deductibles, or risk retention trusts maintained or
participated in by the Parties shall be excess and not contributory to any other
insurance maintained by the County. Funding Recipient shall furnish the County a
certificate of insurance with Endorsement as evidence that the required policies are
in full force and effect.
Section 8. Termination.
The County may, by written notice thereof to Funding Recipient, terminate this Agreement
as to all or any portion of the Services not yet performed, whether or not Funding Recipient
is in breach or default. Upon receiving such notice of termination, Funding Recipient shall,
except as otherwise directed by the County, immediately stop performing the Services to
the extent specified in the notice. In the event the County terminates the Funding
Recipient's Services, the Funding Recipient is obligated and hereby agrees to refund to the
County all monies paid for Services not yet rendered by the Funding Recipient, if any, as of
the date of the notice of termination.
Section 9. Miscellaneous.
a. Funding Recipient shall not (by contract, operation of law or otherwise) assign this
Agreement or any right or interest in this Agreement without the County's prior
written consent.
b. This Agreement embodies the entire Agreement between the County and Funding
Recipient, and supersedes any and all prior oral or written communications, proposals,
conditions, promises, representations, or understandings regarding the Services. No
change, amendment or modification of any provision of this Agreement shall be valid
Distressed County Sales and Use Tax Infrastructure Improvement Program Funding Agreement
Page 5
unless set forth in a written amendment to the Agreement signed by both parties
c. Notice for any purpose under this Agreement, except service of process, shall be
given by the Funding Recipient to the Kittitas County Commissioners and the Kittitas
County Public Works Director, 411 North Ruby, Suite 1, Ellensburg, WA 98926. For all
purposes under this Agreement, any notice by the County to the Funding Recipient
shall be given to the Funding Recipient's address provided on the signature page.
Notice may be given by delivery or by depositing in the U.S. Mail, first class, postage
prepaid, certified mail, return receipt requested.
The section and paragraph headings of this Agreement are for reference
convenience only and are not intended to restrict, affect or be of any weight in
interpreting or construing the provisions of such sections or paragraphs.
e. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts and by facsimile,
each of which will be deemed an original, but all of which together will constitute one
and the same instrument.
Funding Recipient warrants to the County that the individual signing on Funding
Recipient's behalf has the requisite power and authority to enter into and to perform
Funding Recipient's obligations under this Agreement. Funding Recipient further
warrants to the County that Funding Recipient has made no misrepresentation or
misleading statement in connection with this Agreement, and is not in violation of any
applicable law, ordinance, or regulation the consequence of which will or may
materially affect Funding Recipient's ability to perform its obligations under this
Agreement.
g. If any term or condition of this Agreement or the application thereof to any person(s) or
circumstances is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect the other terms, conditions
or applications which can be given effect without the invalid term, condition or
application. To this end, the terms and conditions of this Agreement are declared
severable.
The exclusive venue for any action brought to enforce this Agreement or any of its
terms shall be in Kittitas County, State of Washington.
Distressed County Sales and Use Tax Infrastructure Improvement Program Funding Agreement
Page 6
KITTITAS COUNTY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Cory Wright, Chairman
Brett Wachsmith, Vice -Chairman
Laura Osiadacz, Commissioner
Dated:
Attest:
❑ Clerk of the Board- Julie Kjorsvik
❑ Deputy Clerk of the Board- Mandy Buchholz
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Deputy Prosecuting Attorney
CENTERFUSE
Address
C56a) ass-�
Telephone
dtve�-ai��elle��sbuvzr�u< x.e�w�
Email
Dated: 121 Z02,�>
Distressed County Sales and Use Tax Infrastructure Improvement Program Funding Agreement
Page 7
Kittitas County
Department of Public Works 2023 Application Round
DISTRESSED COUNTY SALES AND USE TAX APPLICATION FOR
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OFFICE PERSONNEL
The Distressed County Sales and Use Tax supports improvements to infrastructure systems that foster
economic development in Kittitas County as well as providing funding for personnel in economic
development offices. The goal is to create economic opportunity through local investment.
APPLICANT INFORMATION
Applicant:
Ellensburg Business Development Authority dba CenterFuse
Contact Name:
Margaret Reich
Address:
110 W. 6th Avenue, #238
City:
Ellensburg WA Zip: 98926
Telephone:
509-955-3880 1 FAX: NA
E-mail Address:
director@ellensburgcenterfuse.com
Office Location:
207 N. Pearl Street, Suite 2
-
Ellensburg, WA 98926
Jurisdiction:
Kittitas County
Funds Request:
$176,000
APPLICATION THRESHOLDS
Applicant Requirement:
Check -off:
❑r 1. The request is to provide funding for personnel in an economic development office in Kittitas County.
® 2. Distressed County funds are not being substituted for other funds that are already secured.
El 3. Applicant has submitted only one application this round.
0 4. The local/regional economic development organization has been informed of this request.
Funding Sources
Distressed County Funds Requested:
$ 176,000
*Other Funding Sources:
(Please list) CERB
Federal: USDA
State: CERB
Local Government:
City of Ellensburg
Private: Rental income secured via lease
Other: Community Grant
Project Total:
**Distressed County Fund Matching Ratio:
*Note: You must include documentation for all other funding sources listed (i.e. grant requests, award letter
notifications, legislative resolutions, etc.).
**Note: Your Distressed County Fund matching ratio must beat least or greater than 10% in order to
qualms for funding consideration. The COG will not consider any requests which do not provide at least
10% matching funds from a local source.
Is Funding Secured
Amounts
Yes or No?
$176,000
pending via this
application
. $25,0001,
Pending CERB board
approval .
$ 25,000
Yes
$ 50,000
Yes
$ 60,000
Yes
$ 75000
Yes
$
Pending Ellensburg City Council
15,000
approval
$ 426,000
Ratio = 59%
*Note: You must include documentation for all other funding sources listed (i.e. grant requests, award letter
notifications, legislative resolutions, etc.).
**Note: Your Distressed County Fund matching ratio must beat least or greater than 10% in order to
qualms for funding consideration. The COG will not consider any requests which do not provide at least
10% matching funds from a local source.
PROJECT NARRATIVE
1. Request Description: Please describe the work this position will perform. Include a
0 o description and any other pertinent information.
This 2023 grant application is for two positions at CenterFuse. One position is an
updated and expanded Executive Director position and the second is a new Executive
Assistant. The job description and work performed for each is listed below.
Job title: Executive Director
Job purpose: The Executive Director of CenterFuse, Ellensburg's Business
Development Authority, seeks to connect businesses with the resources they need to
start, grow, and prosper. They report to a 9 -member volunteer board who guides the
strategic direction for CenterFuse. The Executive Director creates and maintains
systems and relationships to attract businesses to Ellensburg. They are responsible for
the administrative operations of the organization as well as leading efforts to achieve
the strategic goals outlined by the board.
Job Duties and Responsibilities: Following the organization's Charter, Bylaws and
mission, the Executive Director provides leadership, vision, and professional expertise
toward the advancement of Ellensburg's business development efforts.
Essential Functions
• Oversees, and directs all economic development activities of CenterFuse in
accordance with our mission to connect businesses with the resources they need to
start, grow, and prosper.
• Assists businesses, as needed, who are looking to establish a presence in
Ellensburg. This may include connecting them with appropriate City departments or
real estate agents as they move forward with their assessment of Ellensburg as a
business location.
• Manages financial reporting, audits, grant and interlocal agreements to ensure
CenterFuse follows all requirements and agreements.
• Directs and reviews reports, analyses, and studies that impact the economic vitality
of business development in Ellensburg and reports findings as well as
recommendations for action to the board as appropriate.
• Collaboratively monitors programs and policies in our region to ensure sustainable
job and income growth in Ellensburg.
• Ensures compliance with the organization's Charter and Bylaws.
• Supports a 9 -member volunteer board, which includes, but is not limited to,
preparing, and delivering board meetings, board recruitment, and providing regular
communication with board members.
• Manages building operations and tenant relations at the EBDA Airport Building.
• Identifies and secures grants and other sources of funding that enable CenterFuse
to carry out its mission.
Examples of Work:
• Works with Board of Directors to develop a strategic framework to drive measurable
outcomes.
• Coordinates economic development projects involving both private and public
entities in collaboration with partner organizations such as: Washington State
Department of Commerce, Ellensburg City Council, Ellensburg's City Manager and
Community Development Department, Ellensburg Downtown Association, Kittitas
County's Chamber and Central Washington University.
• Maintains and develops liaison activities with individuals, groups, various business
and community organizations, and broad array of industry partners which might
impact economic development activities.
• Identifies barriers to economic development and, in turn, strategies to mitigate them.
• Ensures that all programs meet CenterFuse's strategic plan, goals, objectives, and
policies.
• Provides professional advice and assistance to business leaders and various other
groups and agencies.
• Prepares and presents written materials on programs and projects.
• Connects real estate agents and developers to resources so they can meet their
criteria for site development.
• Develops and implements CenterFuse Marketing program (with the Board and/or
third -party marketing firm/agency).
• Oversees annual budget linked to annual strategic workplan and submits for Board
review and guidance.
• Perform related duties as required.
The Executive Director position description was updated and approved by the
CenterFuse board in January of 2022. A new position of Executive Assistant was
created October 2022 after a comprehensive staffing study.
Job title: Executive Assistant
Job purpose: To support the mission of CenterFuse and provide professional
assistance for the Executive Director.
Job Duties and Responsibilities: Under the direct supervision of the Executive
Director (ED) this position provides administrative support for the ED and the
Centerfuse organization. In addition to typing, filing, and scheduling, performs duties
such as financial record keeping, coordination of meetings and events, obtaining
supplies, coordinating direct mailings, and working on special projects. Also, answers
non -routine correspondence and assembles confidential and sensitive information.
Deals with a diverse group of important external community members and visitors as
well as internal contacts of the organization. Independent judgment is required to plan,
prioritize, and organize diversified workload, recommends changes in office practices or
procedures.
Essential Functions
• Schedules and organizes activities such as meetings, travel, events, and activities
for the organization.
• Performs desktop publishing. Creates and develops visual presentations for the ED.
• Establishes, develops, maintains and updates filing system for the ED and the
organization. Retrieves information from files when needed. Establishes, develops,
maintains, and updates library of industry, city, county trade publications.
• Organizes and prioritizes incoming digital information and phone calls.
• Handles tenant relations, fields inquiries from current and future tenants, tenant
invoicing, and relays tenant requests, complaints, and compliments.
• Performs A/P and A/R functions.
• Obtains payment approvals from ED and prepares checks for signature.
• Manages accounting entries in QuickBooks.
• Sorts and distributes mail and other forms of correspondence. Drafts written
responses or replies by phone or e-mail when necessary. Responds to regularly
occurring requests for information.
• Answers phones for the organization general number. Takes messages or
fields/answers all routine and non -routine questions.
• Acts as a liaison with other outside agencies, including high-level staff such as
CEOs, presidents, senior vice presidents and chiefs. Handles confidential and non-
routine information and explains policies when necessary.
• Works independently and within a team on special nonrecurring and ongoing
projects. Acts as project manager for special projects, at the request of the ED,
which may include planning and coordinating presentations, disseminating
information, coordinating direct mailings, creating brochures.
• Coordinates with administrative assistants and points of contact in other external
community organizations, both public and private.
• Types and designs general correspondences, memos, charts, tables, graphs,
business plans, etc. Proofreads copy for spelling, grammar, and layout, making
appropriate changes. Responsible for accuracy and clarity of final copy.
Upon request we will make available the full text of each job description.
2. Is this a new position for your organization? If so, please describe why this position is
needed. If not, why is it a necessary for this fund to continue to support this position
In essence, yes. The recommendations found in our September 2022 staffing study
include creating a new position and expanding an existing position.
As context: Staffing for CenterFuse, Ellensburg's Business Development Authority
(EBDA), has transitioned over time. Shortly after being established in 1994, EBDA hired
a full-time Executive Director and support staff to manage daily operations and projects.
Around 2004, the EBDA, (then called the Economic Development Group of Kittitas
County and Phoenix Economic Development Group) using the City of Ellensburg's
authority in city code chapter 1.62 and by action of Ellensburg City Council, determined
the staffing of the EBDA to be on a contractual basis with the Kittitas County Chamber
of Commerce. This contractual relationship between the City and Chamber for staff
continued until 2017, when Ellensburg City Council canceled the contract for staffing
with the Chamber, and in 2018, the City created a position for a part-time Executive
Director who received city staff support for financials, etc. Coming full circle, CenterFuse
hired a part-time Executive Director in December 2020.
The CenterFuse board adopted the 2022 workplan at their January 2022 meeting. The
workplan contains four goal statements. One of the goal statements is "Continue to
improve and evolve our organization's structure and alignment to ensure the long-term
sustainability and relevance of CenterFuse and the efficient execution of our mission"
and a related objective to this goal is to "Identify and pursue staffing needs, now and in
the future". Tasks for this objective are to update Executive Director job description,
identify gaps in staffing needs and options to fill gaps, and create a short-term (3-5 year)
staffing plan. Using an RFP process, we sought the professional services of a human
resource consultant to perform a staffing study. FIT HR was the consultant selected to
perform the staffing study. Bill Swan, Principal at FIT HR, led the study process and
presented his findings at the September 21, 2022, board meeting.
An excerpt from the FIT HR staffing study, September 2022, addressing the need:
"The single employee agreement is for the person to work a 30 -hour work week,
and be paid accordingly to that schedule, but the reality is the person consistently
exceeds 30 hours by an average of 5 additional hours per week. Working 35
hours per week by many organization standards equates to working 'Full Time'
and have accompanying benefits... For the organization to achieve its broad
goals of recruiting businesses, ensuring organizational effectiveness, marketing
and building local capacity and opportunity, there must be more inputs to see
desired outputs."
3. Will your organization be capable of supporting this position in the future without
support from this fund? Please describe your plan and include target dates for
implementation and completion. If no plan is currently in place and/or no plans are being
made, please explain why.
It is the goal of CenterFuse to be a self-supporting organization. There are challenges
with this as organizationally we are not a charitable nonprofit 501c3; we are a 501c6
which means we cannot offer donors a charitable deduction. It also means we have less
access to grant funding available from non-governmental grantors who support
economic development such as Herbert B. Jones Foundation, Ewing Marion Kauffman
Foundation, MJ Murdock Trust, and Yakima Valley Community Foundation to name a
few. We do not have members, so we do not collect member dues. We do not promote
tourism so any funding available to promote tourism is not available. But we also
recognize there are opportunities.
CenterFuse is looking to advance organizational self-sufficiency and leverage
Distressed County grant funds to maximize grant funding received in Kittitas County.
We recognize that having diverse funding streams is essential to our success. Our
primary revenue source in 2022 is tenant rental income at the EBDA Business Park
which accounts for almost 38%. Government sourced funding, the Distressed County
Grant funding and city interlocal, makes up the remaining 62%.
Existing funding sources such as the Distressed County grant funds are being
leveraged to bring in additional grant funds. Just in 2022, we secured $125,000 in grant
funding for priority work in Kittitas County and have an additional $170,250 pending of
which all but $40,000 has received a `do fund' recommendation from grantor program
staff.
We are undergoing a review of the value proposition (e.g., services/programs)
CenterFuse offers, such as grant writing, data analysis, and responding to Requests for
Information, to determine if there is a market and demand to monetize certain services.
We may consider licensing of an online tool we are developing which could serve as
another revenue stream.
We are undertaking a feasibility study to determine the viability of building a wood
products campus. The study results are anticipated late 2023 and if recommended, we
will move ahead with seeking funding support for construction of a new building. Once
constructed and rented, the tenant rents from this new building will help us move closer
to self-sufficiency.
4. Will this position serve the needs and/or interests of multiple jurisdictions and/or
organizations? Please explain in detail.
CenterFuse's focus is within the City of Ellensburg and the Urban Growth Area (UGA).
Earlier this year we received legal opinion that our services may reach to all in Kittitas
County. We know that businesses in Ellensburg and people who work for those
businesses buy products and services from all of Kittitas County, adjoining counties,
and Washington State at large. Business development in Ellensburg and the UGA
supports tourism and recreation in the natural areas in and around Kittitas County.
Here are a couple of examples of projects CenterFuse is undertaking that serve the
needs and interests of multiple jurisdictions and organizations:
Cat Tank. CenterFuse is the lead sponsor and co-organizer of this student led business
plan competition imaged after the popular show, Shark Tank. Cat Tank serves the
needs and interests of local government (e.g., business expansion, business diversity),
Central Washington University (e.g., applied student learning, faculty outreach), and
business -to -business relations (e.g., linking the emerging entrepreneurs with
businesses who can assist them with success).
1-90 West Interchange Private Development Study. CenterFuse secured grant funding
from CERB for a planning study to identify the obstacles and opportunities for private
development of vacant land at the 1-90 West Interchange. This project serves the needs
and interests of tribal/state/local government (e.g., jurisdictional issues (DFW, WSDOT,
Yakama Tribe, Kittitas County, City of Ellensburg, Kittitas County Conservation District),
water/flooding, business diversity), private landowners (e.g., site readiness, marketing),
and prospective developers (e.g., cost of doing business, infrastructure costs).
The CenterFuse Board and Executive Director serve on business association boards,
and local government committees as well as having formal and informal
communications with our partners and stakeholders.
5. What goals and deliverables have you set for this position? How will you measure
success?
We are starting our strategic planning process for 2023. It is through the strategic
planning process that we set goals and deliverables for the organization and staff and
link our work to our annual budget. The following draft plan will be discussed at the
CenterFuse board meeting on October 12, 2022:
The Strategic Plan
The CenterFuse Board of Directors meets each year to review and revise the
organization's strategic priorities to meet an ever-growing and changing set of new
realities. This plan represents a strategic policy document that is reviewed annually
within the budget process to ensure that efforts are prioritized in both a strategic and
fiscally responsible manner. Any new actions undertaken within the framework of the
plan must have an identified revenue stream.
Our mission and core values remain the same. Our goals, objectives and action plan
may be modified to best address the current conditions.
Mission
The mission of the CenterFuse (Ellensburg Business Development Authority) is to
strategically recruit businesses, and connect them to resources so they can start, grow,
and prosper.
Statement of Purpose
We seek to diversify and strengthen our economy by increasing quality wage
employment opportunities.
CenterFuse is committed to leading economic development in the Ellensburg region to
diversify our tax base, increase median wages and quality job creation, and business
development that complements our community values, history, and natural
environment. We do this through business recruitment and expansion, engaging with
public and private stakeholders, telling our story and sharing our successes, and
sustaining a resilient organization.
Virion
CenterFuse sparks economic activity leading to a vibrant and prosperous local economy
that values Ellensburg's history and natural beauty.
Rrir qjWs
1) We build and sustain mutually beneficial partnerships.
2) We identify and address unmet needs in our economic ecosystem
3) We enhance living standards and economic vitality in Ellensburg
4) We use creativity and innovation to get stuff done
5) We are accountable, professional, and transparent
Goals
GOALS
DELIVERABLES
MEASURES
Bring businesses to
Ellensburg.
Increased business
Recruiting is CenterFuse's
development that
Track business interest
niche. This is what we do
diversifies and
including proposed and
best and a primary way we
'vibrant
compliments our
secured quality wage jobs,
support a and
community
estimated wages and taxes
prosperous economy' in
Ellensburg
Continue to do better as an
Track funding opportunities
identified, pursued, and
organization.
Sustain and grow our
secured
organization's value and
A sustained and a high
Recruit board members
those relationships with
performing and effective
from marginalized and
businesses, community
board and staff
diverse backgrounds when
leaders, elected officials,
openings occur
associations and Central
Track engagement in new
Washington University that
and continuing community
are mutually beneficial
partnerships and projects
Tell our story well and often.
Track digital metrics
CenterFuse desires to
present a compelling story
Increase meaningful
about who we are and what
Awareness of and
stakeholder meetings
we do to prospective
engagement with
Increase
businesses as well as with
CenterFuse increased
developer/customer
our stakeholders, and
information sharing and
community partners who all
contact
have a vested interest in our
shared successes
Ignite local economic
Identify obstacles and
Track obstacles to
opportunities.
opportunities to ensure a
development and how
Building local capacity and
business -friendly
these were reduced or
ensuring a business -friendly
environment
removed
climate are key and critical to
Economic development,
CenterFuse's ability to
and in particular
GOALS
DELIVERABLES
MEASURES
operate. We are well
business recruitment
positioned to identify existing
and diversification,
impediments to economic
discussions and actions
progress in our community
happen in a mutually
and we will continue to
beneficial and supportive
advocate for infrastructure,
environment.
funding, processes, and
organizations that contribute
to broad-based prosperity
6. Indicate if the proposed position is consistent with the following applicable state
regional and local plans and priorities for economic development. Please include the
pertinent sections of the respective plan(s) as justification. Please explain in detail how
this position is compatible with the plan(s):
OVERALL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN — OFFICIALLY ADOPTED
Overall Economic Development Plan — Officially Adopted
City of Ellensburg Comprehensive Plan 2020
Amended by City Council, ordinance #4869, January 19,2021
The Economic Development Chapter features
• Information about the local economy, including statistics on population,
employment, businesses, and employment sectors.
• Policies and programs that seek to help Ellensburg build a promising
economic future.
• Policies that provide a framework for leveraging tourism and promoting
Ellensburg as a destination.
• Policies that seek to maintain a qualified workforce and promote living
wagejobs
CenterFuse's Executive Director and Executive Assistant positions are
compatible with the City of Ellensburg's Comprehensive Plan in the following
ways:
We work to strengthen city partnerships and resources to support economic
opportunities (Goal ED -1) by implementing and regularly updating the
CenterFuse strategic plan (policy A). CenterFuse updates its strategic workplan
each year. The 2023 strategic work plan is in development, with board approval
anticipated at the December 14, 2022, meeting. CenterFuse is integrating
economic strategies into community planning activities (policy B) by getting
docketed and submitting a significant rewrite to the Comprehensive Plan's
Economic Development Chapter (October 2022).
We stimulate and diversify Ellensburg's economy (Goal ED -2) by encouraging
growth that will provide goods and services to the local and regional community
(Policy A) as exampled by being the lead author on a Washington Commerce
Building for the Arts grant for the remodel of the Ramsay Building ballroom to
create a public performance space. We also wrote two successful planning
grants to the Washington State Community Economic and Revitalization Board
for wood products sector expansion and a feasibility study for private
development at the 1-90 West interchange. We promote the retention and
expansion of existing businesses as well as the development of new businesses
(Policy B) as exampled by our continued work with site locators, developers and
real estate professionals interested in locating a business in Ellensburg. Annually
we perform a market research study to get feedback from our customers on what
is working well and how we can do better. A summary of our market research
findings from 2022 is included with this application. We encourage development
of light industrial uses within the City of Ellensburg (Policy D) as exampled by
featuring light industrial is a CenterFuse key target industry.
We seek opportunities to grow and sustain a qualified workforce (Goal ED -3) by
coordinating with local high schools, higher education institutions, workforce
development, vocational rehabilitation, and local businesses to train a workforce
that is prepared for emerging job markets (Policy A) as exampled by CenterFuse
being the lead sponsor for the 2022 Cat Tank business plan competition and the
wood products feasibility study that includes evaluating the potential for an
apprenticeship program.
We emphasize economic development of downtown as an economic, tourist,
retail, art and cultural, and event destination (Goal ED -4) by partnering with local
organizations to implement the downtown economic development plan (Policy B)
as exampled by our active involvement and financial commitment to the regions
Arts & Culture Alliance planning process, and our work with business startups
wishing to locate in downtown.
Community Action Plan (or other community-based plan) - Officially adopted
Community Action Plan (or other community-based plan) — Officially Adopted
CenterFuse Strategic Work Plan 2023 — Strategic planning meeting October 12,
2022, board review anticipated November 9, 2022, with adoption December 14,
2022. for work in 2023.
CenterFuse's Executive Director position is responsible for carrying out the
CenterFuse Work Plan. Here are the 2022 strategic workplan goals:
Goals
GOAL 1: Bring businesses to Ellensburg.
Recruiting is CenterFuse's niche. This is what we do best and a primary way we support
a 'vibrant and prosperous economy' in Ellensburg. Efforts to bring businesses to
Ellensburg include
1. Active local engagement: CenterFuse actively welcomes inquiring businesses
and presents Ellensburg to them, highlighting business -friendly aspects of our
community
2. External outreach: CenterFuse identifies businesses or business sectors and
then targets them with direct outreach.
GOAL 2: Continue to improve and evolve our organization's structure and alignment to
ensure the long-term sustainability of CenterFuse and the efficient execution of our
mission.
Since its inception, CenterFuse's organizational operations have appeared in various
forms — fully supported staff to professional services contract to city part-time staff to
part-time CenterFuse staff — all the while overseen by a volunteer board.
The organizational construct has remained the same — a non-profit (501 c6) public
development authority. An examination of various organizational models with respect to
our mission, vision, values, and strategy would help inform which is the best 'fit' for
CenterFuse moving forward.
A thorough review of staffing needs, now and in the future, as well as examining the
diversity, skill set, and network of each board member will occur alongside the
organizational review.
GOAL 3: Develop marketing content and materials that clearly articulate the mission
and vision of CenterFuse and that highlight the benefits of doing business in Ellensburg.
This is key and critical to CenterFuse's ability to present a compelling story to
prospective businesses as well as communications with our stakeholders, and
community partners who all have a vested interest in our success. As articulated in the
CenterFuse Marketing Plan (April 2021) we have key messaging topics and
communications channels for each of our target audiences. Now is the time to fully
implement the marketing plan.
GOAL 4: Facilitate connections and discussions between public and private
stakeholders that spark economic growth and reduce barriers to investment and
development in Ellensburg.
CenterFuse is well positioned to identify existing impediments to economic progress in
our community and we will continue to advocate for infrastructure, funding, processes,
and organizations that contribute to broad-based prosperity.
0111IM11q 7
Kittitas County and the City of Ellensburg co -funded the 2022 update of the 2009 Kittitas
County TIP Strategies Economic Development Strategy and Action Plan. A kick-off
meeting, creation of a steering committee and other work connected with the study
update began fourth quarter 2021 with a final report from TIP Strategies available
possibly year end 2022.
7. How will this position meet the economic development goals of the County and
region?
Economic development is "the intentional practice of improving the current and future
Ellensburg community's economic well-being and quality of life" (source IEDC). As per
the Employment Security Department (ESD) QCEW the top five Kittitas County sectors
in 2021 in terms of employment were
Sector
Number of 'obs
Share of employment
1. Local government
2,347
15.5%
2. Accommodation and food services
2,250
14.8%
3. Retail trade
1,893
12.5%
4. State government
1,772
11.7%
5. Health Services
1,223
8.1%
All other industries
5,6761
37.4%
Total covered employment
15,161
100%
Per ESD: "Approximately 62.6 percent of all jobs in Kittitas County were in five, two -digit
NAICS industries or sectors (local government, accommodation and food services, retail
trade, state government and private health services). Hence, the Kittitas County economy is
not very diversified — like many other agriculturally based economies here in Central
Washington (Adams, Chelan, Douglas, Grant, Okanogan and Yakima counties, etc.)."
Job growth in Ellensburg over the past ten years is akin to Granger, WA at 4%. Wages
are increasing at a competitive rate in alignment with like communities, but higher
wages are in limited sectors, in particular government.
The top five Kittitas County industries in 2021 in terms of payrolls were:
Sector
Payroll
Share of payrolls
1. Local government
$142,602,829
19.3%
2. State government
$130,413,335
17.7%
3. Construction
$82,903,044
11.2%
4. Retail trade
$62,209,812
8.4%
5. Accommodation and food services
$57,525,390
7.8%
All other industries
$233,488,754
34.9%
Total covered payrolls
$737,885,909
100%
Source: Employment Security Department/DATA Division, QCEW
These statistics highlight a long-term future path that is unsustainable.
Utilizing information found in the Kittitas County Comprehensive Plan (adopted June
2019), the City of Ellensburg Comprehensive Plan (adopted December 2020), as well
as the 2013 Yakima/Kittitas Regional Comprehensive Economic Development Plan,
CenterFuse contributes to this work:
• Continue to analyze existing businesses to support and retain and assist in their
success and potential expansion. Offer workshops and gatherings for existing
businesses to assess and assist with needs for expansion and success.
• Complete development of marketing materials and strategies to directly recruit new
businesses and industries to maintain a strong and diverse jobs and wage base
• New website to include current business climate, quality of life, demographics, and
searchable database of available land and buildings
• Social media strategies
• Professional print materials
• Help and support of initiatives related to housing, transportation, and education that
affect our ability to recruit business and jobs
• Collaborate with the Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce, Ellensburg Downtown
Association, City of Ellensburg Departments and Commissions, and Kittitas County
on strategy development and implementation along with offering our assistance on
projects that forward economic development in Kittitas County.
• Work with the City and County offices of Community Development Office to address
future zoning needs
• Create a dynamic roadmap for businesses to demystify the startup process
• Highlight and preserve the unique historic and natural attributes of Ellensburg and
Kittitas County
CenterFuse helps to achieve the following goals found within the Kittitas County
Comprehensive Plan, specifically Chapter 10 on Economic Development:
10.3. Economic Goals and Policies. All of the Goals and Policies resonate with
CenterFuse, the following identify most closely with current strategies:
• E -G2: Support the retention and expansion of existing local businesses and
industries — CenterFuse is creating programs to connect businesses to the
resources they need and address existing barriers for expansion.
• E -G3: Recruit new business and industries to foster a strong and diverse base of
jobs and wages - CenterFuse will focus on tech industries and support of
innovations specifically focused on jobs that will increase the median household
income
• E -G4: Encourage economic growth while protecting the rural character of the
County — CenterFuse will focus on jobs with low impact to county resources and
land impact
• E -G6: Encourage the full economic use of commercial and industrial lands,
buildings, and infrastructure — CenterFuse is engaged in land use planning,
evaluation of existing properties and a potential resource for redevelopment and
pulling together an inventory of available buildings and properties to promote to
potential developers and businesses.
• E -G8: Protect the viability of the airport as a significant economic resource to the
community by encouraging compatible land uses, densities, and reducing
hazards that my hinder economic viability of the airport. — CenterFuse owns one
of the few light industrial buildings at the airport and frequently attends Airport
Advisory meetings and offers to engage in discussions and strategies regarding
redevelopment and sustainability of this vital resource.
The strategic work of CenterFuse will help satisfy the following goals and policies found
within Ellensburg's Comprehensive Plan chapter on Economic Development:
Goal ED -1: Strengthen city partnerships and resources to support economic
opportunities.
Policy A. Continue to implement and regularly update a strategic economic
development plan with representatives from the following sectors: industrial,
transportation, agriculture, tourism, healthcare, and education.
Policy B. Integrate economic strategies into community planning activities.
Goal ED -2: Stimulate and diversify Ellensburg's economy.
Policy A. Encourage growth that will provide goods and services to the local and
regional community.
Policy B. Promote the retention and expansion of existing businesses as well as
the development of new businesses.
Policy D. Encourage development of light industrial uses within the City of
Ellensburg.
Goal ED -3 Grow and sustain a qualified workforce
Policy A. Coordinate with local high schools, higher education institutions,
workforce development, vocational rehabilitation, and local businesses to train a
workforce that is prepared for emerging job markets.
Goal ED -4 Emphasize economic development of downtown as an economic, tourist,
retail, art and cultural, and event destination.
Policy B. Partner with local organizations to implement the downtown economic
development plan.
CenterFuse seeks to create quality wage jobs that raise the median wage. In February
2022, CenterFuse researched and selected five key industries to focus on; they are
healthcare, technology, construction, light industrial, and distribution/warehouse. We
looked at various resources to identify those key industries that complement our
community assets and values and had the greatest potential for quality wage job
creation. We also looked at key sectors Washington Commerce is focusing on and
found good synergies there.
The Ellensburg City Council has identified economic development as a top priority for
council. As the city's public development authority, we play a lead role in identifying,
delivering, and evaluating economic development activities.
8 Describe any research your organization has conducted which shows the need for
this position Please include the data upon which your claims are based for our review.
CenterFuse completed a staffing study in September 2022. The staffing study was one
of the activities listed in our 2022 workplan. CenterFuse reached out to CWU to see if
any College of Business faculty had the time/interest in completing the staffing study
first. They did not, but they did recommend two organizations who do have the skill and
may have interest in working on the study. CenterFuse identified a third organization
with experience in performing staffing studies, then asked all three to respond to an RFI
After evaluating those responses, CenterFuse selected FIT HR as the professional
consultant.
We asked FIT HR to provide
(1) an assessment of the organizations current capacity,
(2) a forecast of the staffing requirements,
(3) identify staffing gaps and talent strategies to fill the gaps,
(4) recommend an action plan
Methodology:
To assess the organization and respond with advisement, the process was to identify,
assess and discuss with the Executive Director and members of the Board:
1. Organizations goals, achievements, and direction
2. Organization roles and responsibilities
3. Desirable changes
4. Financial resources available
5. Making positions attractive
The discussions and information shared, resulted in the following points of advisement.
Current Workforce Capacity:
Upon review of the progress made in 2022 of organizational goals, and in discussion
with CenterFuse, it is my opinion that the current workload exceeds the capacity of the
existing staffing. Goals are being achieved but not to a rate to fulfill the overall
organizational objectives. The major obstacle has been operating as an organization of
one person.
The single employee agreement is for the person to work a 30 -hour work week, and be
paid accordingly to that schedule, but the reality is the person consistently exceeds 30
hours by an average of 5 additional hours per week. Working 35 hours per week by
many organization standards equates to working 'Full Time' and have accompanying
benefits.
For the organization to achieve its broad goals of recruiting businesses, ensuring
organizational effectiveness, marketing and building local capacity and opportunity,
there must be more inputs to see desired outputs.
Workforce Forecast:
2023: To achieve organizational goals for 2023, and in recognition of limited funding,
the recommendation is to hire one (1) additional staff member in a supporting role to the
Executive Director. The support position will focus on administrative, and some strategic
support work. The additional position will enable the Executive Director to spend more
valuable time on the larger impact goal priorities. This will also enable improved
preparation for 2024 and beyond.
Compensation for 2023:
The current Executive Director position is contracted to work 30 hours per week. The
reality is an employee working more regularly at 35 hours per week. After review of
current salary competitive market data for non -profits of comparable size, location, size
of community served, operating revenue, education and years' experience, the
recommendation for the Executive Director role is as follows:
Existing: Part-time, $90,000 annually
New: Full-time, $105,000 - 110,000, base, annually plus benefits
For the Executive Assistant: The Executive Assistant will be a non-exempt position
working under the direct supervision of the Executive Director. The wage should be in a
range of $25 and $30 per hour, depending on experience.
In 2021, the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) completed a salary
survey of economic development professionals. We have included information from that
survey study relative to the West region of the United States with this application.
Submit the original application to:
Kittitas County Department of Public Works
411 N. Ruby, Suite #1
Ellensburg, WA 98926
CERB - IOFA Coming via DocuSign - #S22 -790A0-244 - Due 10/28/2022
Note: 244 = Wood products planning grant
Smith, Barbara (COM) <barbara.smith@commerce.vva.gov>
Mon 9/19/2022 11:07 AM
To: Margaret Reich <director@ el lensburgcenterfuse.com>
11 attachments (482 KB)
Ellensburg BDA - CERB IOFA Transit Letter & Pre Contract Requirements - S22-790A0-244.pdf,
Good Morning Margaret,
Your Initial Offer of Financial Aid for project #S22-790AO-244 is coming via DocuSign. It is due back to us by
10/28/2022.
Attached is your letter outlining the pre contract requirements that are due to us no later than 01/19/2023.
Best wishes,
Barbara
Barbara Smith (she/Her) I PROGRAM ASSISTANT
CERB — Community Economic Revitalization Board
Monday -Friday, 9 am to 6 pm I Cell: (360) 764-9820 1 barbara.smith@commerce.wa.gov
www.commerce.wa.gov/cerb I Facebook I Linkedln
Email communications with state employees are public records and may be subject to disclosure, pursuant to Ch. 42.56 RCW
WiL
INVESTING IN WASHINGTON'S ECONOMIC FUTURE
Community Economic Revitalization Board
1011 Plum St SE • PO Box 42525. Olympia, Washington 98504-2525 • (360) 764-9820
September 19, 2022
Ms. Margaret Reich
Executive Director
Ellensburg Business Development Authority, dba CenterFuse
110 West 6`^ Ave, Suite #238
Ellensburg, WA 98926
Dear Ms. Reich,
Congratulations! The Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) has awarded funding to your
planning project. Enclosed is a list of pre -contract conditions which must be satisfied no later than
January 19, 2023, in order to execute a final contract with CERB.
Once the conditions have been met, a final contract will be developed by CERB prior to disbursement of
funds. Please note that no project costs incurred prior to the Initial Offer of Financial Aid date will be
reimbursed by CERB. After contract execution, a signed copy will be forwarded for the Ellensburg BDA's
records. The execution date of the final contract will be based on the date of the CERB Chair's final
signature. A sample of the contract document is enclosed for your records.
I will be your primary contact during this contracting process. If you have any questions, please don't
hesitate to contact me at (360) 764-9820, or Barbara.Smith@commerce.wa.eov.
Sincerely,
Barbara Smith
1
CERB Program Assistant
Enclosures:
• Attachment A— Pre Contract Conditions
IS Initial Offer of Financial Aid (IOFA) (via DocuSign)
• Planning study minimum requirements
• Sample Contract
Attachment A
CERB Pre -Contract Requirements
Initial Offer of Financial Aid
If you wish to accept CERB's offer, please sign and return the Initial Offer of Financial Aid by
October 28, 2022. A copy of the executed Initial Offer will be forwarded for the Ellensburg BDA's
records.
If the terms and conditions of this offer are not acceptable, you may request in writing that CERB
reconsider, amend or modify its offer.
Pre -Contract Requirements
Please complete the conditions below and submit the appropriate documentation to CERB.
If all conditions are not completed by January 19, 2023, you have the option to request an extension
from the Board. If the Board does not approve an extension of the initial offer, the offer will expire.
1. Finalized scope of work.
2. Evidence that consultant services have been selected to complete the study
3. Evidence that the $12,500 cash match is in place, from the following or alternate
sources:
a. Ellensburg Business Development Authority, dba CenterFuse $12,500 cash
Please note that CERB requires feasibility studies/planning documents to be completed within 24
months of the executed contract date.
CERB - IOFA coming via DocuSign #S22 -790A0-245 - Due 10/28/2022
Note: 245 = I90 West Planning Grant
Smith, Barbara (COM) <barbara.smith@commerce.wa.gov>
Mon 9/19/2022 11:24 AM
To: Margaret Reich <director@ellensburgcenterfuse.com>
a 1 attachments (482 KB)
Ellensburg BDA - CERB IOFA Transit Letter & Pre Contract Requirements - S22-790A0-245.pdf,
Good Morning Margaret,
Your Initial Offer of Financial Aid for project #S22 -790A0-245 is coming via Docu5ign. It is due back to us by
10/28/2022.
Attached is your letter outlining the pre contract requirements that are due to us no later than 01/19/2023.
Best wishes,
Barbara
Barbara Smith (She/Her) I PROGRAM ASSISTANT
CERB — Community Economic Revitalization Board
Monday -Friday, 9 am to 6 pm I Cell: (360) 764-9820 1 barbara.smithocommerce wa.gov
www.commerce.wa.gov/cerb I Facebook I Linkedln
Email communications with state employees are public records and may be subject to disclosure, pursuant to Ch. 42.56 RCW
M
INVESTING IN WIISNINOTON'S ECONOMIC FUTURE
Communitv Economic Revitalization
1011 Plum St SE • PO Box 42525 -Olympia, Washington 98504-2525 • (360) 764-9820
September 19, 2022
Ms. Margaret Reich
Executive Director
Ellensburg Business Development Authority, dba CenterFuse
110 West 6th Ave, Suite #238
Ellensburg, WA 98926
Dear Ms. Reich,
Congratulations! The Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) has awarded funding to your
planning project. Enclosed is a list of pre -contract conditions which must be satisfied no later than
January 19, 2023, in order to execute a final contract with CERB.
Once the conditions have been met, a final contract will be developed by CERB prior to disbursement of
funds. Please note that no project costs incurred prior to the Initial Offer of Financial Aid date will be
reimbursed by CERB. After contract execution, a signed copy will be forwarded for the Ellensburg BDA's
records. The execution date of the final contract will be based on the date of the CERB Chair's final
signature. A sample of the contract document is enclosed for your records.
I will be your primary contact during this contracting process. If you have any questions, please don't
hesitate to contact me at (360) 764-9820, or Barbara.Smith@commerce.wa.eov.
Sincerely,
Barbara Smith
CERB Program Assistant
Enclosures:
• Attachment A— Pre Contract Conditions
• Initial Offer of Financial Aid (IOFA) (via DocuSign)
• Planning study minimum requirements
• Sample Contract
Attachment A
CERB Pre -Contract Requirements
Initial Offer of Financial Aid
If you wish to accept CERB's offer, please sign and return the Initial Offer of Financial Aid by
October 28, 2022. A copy of the executed Initial Offer will be forwarded for the Ellensburg RDA's
records.
If the terms and conditions of this offer are not acceptable, you may request in writing that CERB
reconsider, amend or modify its offer.
Pre -Contract Requirements
Please complete the conditions below and submit the appropriate documentation to CERB.
If all conditions are not completed by January 19, 2023, you have the option to request an extension
from the Board. If the Board does not approve an extension of the initial offer, the offer will expire.
1. Finalized scope of work.
2. Evidence that consultant services have been selected to complete the study
3. Evidence that the $12,500 cash match is in place, from the following or alternate
sources:
a. Ellensburg Business Development Authority, dba CenterFuse $12,500 cash
Please note that CERB requires feasibility studies/planning documents to be completed within 24
months of the executed contract date.
RBDG Grant Award
Baer, Veronica - RD, State Office <veronica.baer@usda.gov>
Tue 7/5/2022 2:53 PM
To: Margaret Reich <director@ ellensburgcenterfuse.com>
Good afternoon, Margaret,
Congratulations- your FY 22 RBDG application for the Inventory of land and buildings of the Ellensburg
Urban Growth area was successfully funded in our State competition for a total amount of $25,000. If
you'd still like to move forward with your project, the next step is to set aside (we refer to this as
obligating) the grant funds so they are available for reimbursement once the project is complete.
The obligation process involves signing some paperwork that requests the obligation and commits you
to attempting to follow a series of requirements necessary for USDA Rural Development to reimburse
you for the grant -funded portion of your project — you have one year from the time the grant is obligated
to complete your project. The attached Letter of Conditions outlines those requirements. The attached
Obligation Documents is a package of forms you'll need to sign. There is also a LOC attachment with
instructions that goes into more detail of where you need to sign for each document. We will need these
returned by 07/15/2022, if that is not possible, please reach out to me to discuss options. It would be
preferred if you can sign and scan the documents or digitally sign and email back to me.
The document titled Reporting and Reimbursement documents contains the quarterly reporting and
reimbursement request documents so you will have them when the time comes. Your first quarterly
reports will be due 10/30/22 for the quarter ending 9/30/22. To assist with tracking your project budget, I
have also shared the excel document we will use to do so titled "Tracking Spreadsheet". This is not
required for you to use but most grantees do find it helpful.
How we proceed from here is up to you. If everything makes sense you can start signing things and
returning them to me, either via email or mail. Typically, we would take this time to meet in person to go
over these together, discuss reimbursement requirements answer questions etc. but unfortunately, we
will not be able to do that this year. Please let me know when a good time would be to set up a call to go
through the letter of conditions if you would like to do so.
Thank you!
/Zovw3a w
Business and Cooperatives Program Specialist
Rural Development
U.S Department of Agriculture
1606 Perry Street Suite D, Yakima WA 98902
509-367-8565
Fax -855-847-5491
www.rd.usda.gov/wa
Stay Connected with USDA:
jsUSD rrzu �►'
_ o Q7
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender
c
O
y
O
a
m m ;; sluapuodsal IIV
I I I I
Y Y Y Y
N OO O O
U
C
0
O
U
C
N
E
0
0
m
0
E
0
0
w
0
0
c
d
D
uonnlllsul Ieuopempn
B�
tll4slauPed alenlld-allgnd
.
luawduopwotllOO
luawtl uoilej 6Aunwwo0
L1elS lloddnS/angegslulwPV
/uollezlue6l0 poo4log461aN
®
aOlawwo0 to jagwe40
®
003 leuo16aa
w
uollezlue610 Aloltl-Jol-ION
®
wl!d 6ulllnsuo0
Ia6eueW 6upalleW
6llon
Ia6eueW uopualaa ssaulsng
6]!loglnV luaWt101anaO
Ia6eueW 3uawllnJoaa ssaulsng
luaW W2A09 IMUMOld/03e3S
n'
luawwano9 61uno0
m'
4uaWUlaA09 6110
m m ;; sluapuodsal IIV
I I I I
Y Y Y Y
N OO O O
U
C
0
O
U
C
N
E
0
0
m
0
E
0
0
w
0
0
c
d
D
1a470
luellnsuo0
L1elS lloddnS/angegslulwPV
lanai 6J1u3
sv!eliV an13els!69l/63110d
uOplsod Plald/ls!le!Oads
laagl0 ueol
rvl I�
Ia6eueW 6upalleW
Ia6eueW uopualaa ssaulsng
Ia6eueW 3uawllnJoaa ssaulsng
®
la6eueWPolOan0 401eaSO8
® :
I06eueW/PeOH luawlletla0
lolooila luelslssV/63nda(3
®
lallolltlwo:)/Od0
®
luaplsald 001A
lanai dol/030
m m ;; sluapuodsal IIV
I I I I
Y Y Y Y
N OO O O
U
C
0
O
U
C
N
E
0
0
m
0
E
0
0
w
0
0
c
d
D
CENTERFUSE
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
MARKET RESEARCH PROJECT
PURPOSE
CenterFuse's mission is to connect businesses with the resources they need to start, grow, and prosper. Our
primary customers are businesses who are interested in locating in Ellensburg, and existing businesses and
residents in Ellensburg. With the recent increase in inquiries about starting a business in Ellensburg, we
thought the time was right to check in with our existing customers to see how we are doing.
We wanted to look at our customer engagement over the past six months to learn more about the customer
experience and how we might do better. We embarked on a mini -market research project directed at
local/state/national developers and real estate professionals who have a client(s) interested in Ellensburg and
who worked extensively with CenterFuse. The market research project sought to:
• Identify the primary and secondary factors end clients look for when
'We look at locational
considering starting or re -locating their businesses to a Central Washington
factors, traffic drivers. A
location.
• Understand the data and information developers and real estate groups use
university, I-90 is a big one.
Demographics and
when assessing a location's fit for an end client.
population base. Just the
• Understand what collateral or information other local regions have on -hand
future growth. Wle look at
for developers that support client placement.
the age and income.
• Gain a fuller understanding of the typical restrictions, permits, or other
barriers to business placement.
KEY FINDINGS OF THIS PROJECT
One-on-one interviews were fielded during November 2021 among personnel from real estate groups or
developers who are actively working with CenterFuse in the Ellensburg market. A third -party interviewer
engaged participants by phone. Interview responses were aggregated to isolate trends or notable differences
across local versus non -local respondents.
Factors impacting Site Selection
• Primary: Proximity to I90, Internet, Workforce.
• Secondary: Light Industrial Zoning, Acreage,
Skillset Availability.
• Noted but not factors: Taxes, utility rates.
Location Selection Workflow
• Clients formalize their site criteria.
• Clients identify cities/locations that align with their
criteria.
• Workforce availability.
City Criteria & Property Identification
• Digital lis rings are extremely valuable resources
used immediately in the selection process.
• Housing availability matters.
Ellensburg Business Development l^) C E N T E R F U S E
• Friendliness to businesses and development by city
planners is a frequently used criteria.
Experience Working With Ellensburg
• Experienced Ellensburg developers cite challenges
working with local government, specifically getting
accurate, consistent feedback on projects.
• Non -local real estate agents consistently say
CenterFuse is extremely responsive, flexible and dialed -
in to local property owners open to selling.
• Many want to keep Ellensburg in mind for future
projects but feel limited by environmental impact issues
and the lack of industrial zoning.
Resource Needs
• Ellensburg -specific workforce statistics.
• Online economic data and developer specific
information.
115 E 4th Avenue, Suite 218 ® 509.962.7146 • ellensburgcenlertuse@gmail.co,
Ellensburg, WA 98926 0 509.607.7560 . ellereburacenterluse.com
• CenterFuse should continue their active role in
coordinating and scheduling meetings with project -
critical partners. Outsiders to Ellensburg find great
value in this.
• Planning Commission meeting notes and active
development and permits are used to evaluate a city's
friendliness to business and development.
HOW TO ENHANCE THE CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE
Developers + real estate groups follow a four -step process when identifying locations. CenterFuse should
prioritize activities around the following four steps to improve Ellensburg consideration:
• Having properties that meet site selection criteria.
• Enabling property identification.
• Developing perception of business friendliness.
• Supporting property viability exploration.
RECOMMENDED PRIORITY ACTIONS
As I move through the development process, I
look for the ease of development. The pathway to
development. Mostly the ability for thatgiven
jurisdiction to move the entitlementprocess swiftly
and effdently. [I gauge it] through prior
experience, hearsay, just as it' happening. "
As an organization with limited resources, CenterFuse prioritizes which activities to tackle as it relates to
improving customer service for those involved in connecting a client with a community to start or grow a
business. Activities that address immediate developer or real estate group needs are indicated below
Activi Rational
1 Create Developer / Real Estate Group Developers need and want this today. Building the FAQs
FAQs addresses a current need and sets CenterFuse up with the
materials it will need for any website updates.
2 Build Out Ellensburg Economic Groups considering Ellensburg want insight into what makes
Development Data it an attractive location for businesses. This includes permit
volume, developments in -progress, and other vital economic
data. Creating this content addresses these questions while
giving CenterFuse additional information it will need for
future site updates.
3 Collect Countywide Workforce Workforce data is a much -requested demographic datapoint.
Data Having the data in -hand will ensure questions can be quickly
and accurately answered. While city -specific data is preferred,
county -level data is a good starting point.
4 Gather Initial List of Active This will serve two benefits. It will help populate a future
Listings section on the website where parties can go to learn about
existing properties for sale or lease. Secondly, it will start
conditioning local property owners to expect future outreaches
about their properties.
5 Update CenterFuse Website The website is a valuable resource that developers and real
estate groups actively visit to learn about a specific city and
potential properties. Updating the site with the above-
mentioned information will provide key influencers with a
one-stop shop to answer their initial questions
6 Build Developer / Real Estate Be ready to announce positive economic development news
Group Email Database & Email (e.g. land use updates, new developments breaking ground)
Templates when it happens. Build out the contact database and email
templates so that information can be widely shared with ease
7 Plan & Execute Quarterly Ongoing outreach to property owners is needed to keep site
Property Owner Outreach listings current. This can be a lower priority item as listings will
likely not change with great frequency.
Ellensburg Business Development�� C E N T E R F U S E 1115 E 4th Avenue. Suite 218 ® 509.962.7146 . ellensbur9centeduse@gmail.coi
Ellensburg, WA 98926 0 509.607.7560 . ellensburacentertuse.com
5
r
t
*I
5
r
Applicant Certification
Certification is hereby given that the information provided is accurate and the applicable attachments are
complete and included as part of the application package.
I certify that application thresholds are met at the time of application.
Signature of Agency Representative
Typed or Printed Name
!ncy
(If Applicable)
10/4/2022
Date
Date
Date
Associate Economic Development Organization Notification
The organization listed below has received notification of this application as demonstrated by the
signature of the organization's representative.
0/ 17
Date
Kittitas County Department of Public Works Receipt of Application
Signature of Kittitas County DPW Representative
Typed or Printed Name
Date