Rep. Dan Newhouse led a bipartisan letter to Secretary Sean Duffy at the Department of Transportation in support of Douglas County’s application for a $21 million Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) grant, according to a May 4 statement.
The request seeks funding for the Wenatchi Landing Interchange Project, which aims to improve transportation infrastructure and economic development in central Washington. The letter was co-signed by several members of the Washington congressional delegation, including Reps. Michael Baumgartner, Kim Schrier, Marilyn Strickland, Rick Larsen, Suzan DelBene, Adam Smith, and Senators Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray.
“As members of the Washington congressional delegation, we are writing to express our strong support for Douglas County’s $21,000,000 Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) grant application for the Wenatchi Landing Interchange Project,” the lawmakers wrote in their letter. They said that Douglas County has seen significant population growth and is known internationally as part of the Apple Capital of the World region. Agriculture remains a major employer in this area.
The project intends to modernize key highway interchanges over the Columbia River and enhance safety elements while connecting county roads north and east of East Wenatchee Urban Growth Area. The initiative is expected to create about 7,500 jobs with an estimated economic impact ranging from $586 million up to $1.3 billion.
The lawmakers noted that “this initiative will be a key driver for Douglas County’s economic growth as the region continues to expand.” They also highlighted that approximately $4 million has already been spent locally on this effort with additional regional partner contributions anticipated.
Dan Newhouse is currently serving in Congress representing Washington’s 4th district after replacing Doc Hastings in 2015 according to official records. He previously served in the state House from 2003 through 2009 as reported by Vote Smart. Born in Sunnyside in 1955 and still residing there according to Congress.gov, Newhouse graduated from Washington State University with a BS degree in 1977 as reported by The Wall Street Journal.
