State Budget Includes Funding for George Washington Statue, Other Local Projects

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Local projects included in the Legislature’s supplemental budget, which passed Thursday on the final day of the session, range from funding for the George Washington statue in Centralia to $10 million in distressed schools money for Toledo Public Schools.

A rundown of area projects included in the budget shows legislators are on board with the 200th birthday celebrations for Centralia’s founder, pitching in $75,000 for the statue of George and Mary Jane Washington set to be unveiled in August. Based on previous estimates, the allocation would put the project well over the amount needed to complete the statue.

The biggest area payout is $10 million set aside for Toledo Public Schools, which the state’s fiscal website says is part of distressed schools funding. 

Another $1.3 million was put toward fire restoration in the Scatter Creek Wildlife Area. The funds will be put toward structures, roads and trails damaged in last summer’s fire. 

The bill also funds planning for a pedestrian overpass where the Willapa Hills Trail crosses State Route 6, with $21,000 marked for that purpose. Design and permitting for the overpass will take place in the 2017-19 biennium, with construction taking place in the following budget.



Infrastructure in Pe Ell will get a boost as well, with $340,000 in the supplemental budget. It’s unclear what project or projects that money is intended for. 

Greenwood Cemetery will get a big investment of its own, with $250,000 set aside for the abandoned site. 

In Packwood, $228,000 will go toward a Cowlitz River public access point. 

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See more in Tuesday’s edition of The Chronicle.