With the passage of the state’s capital construction and transportation budgets, significant investment will be coming to 42nd Legislative District projects, announced Sen. Sharon Shewmake (D-Bellingham). Legislators in the 40th and the 42nd Legislative Districts worked together to bring money home to Whatcom County.

The state’s capital budget makes investment in construction projects and public buildings. The statewide budget set new records for the largest ever investments in affordable housing, environmental projects, school construction assistance, and other key priorities. For the 42nd District, passage of the budget means support for floodplain design, salmon recovery, and other important local priorities. Noteworthy projects include:

  • In behavioral health, funding for the Lummi Nation Substance Abuse Treatment Facility and the Whatcom County Crisis Relief Center.
  • $10 million for the “Floodplains That Work” program for the Nooksack River, and about $13 million for acquisition and restoration of riparian areas on the Nooksack.
  • Agricultural investments like $764,000 for the Whatcom Ag Research Center in Lynden and $824,000 for the Ejidos Community Farm in Everson.
  • $5 million for tribal compact school modernization at the Lummi School District.
  • Funding for salmon recovery on Baker Creek.
  • Half a million dollars for the Van Zandt Community Hall, $3 million for the Civic and Community Organization Campus in Ferndale, $550,000 for the Pickford Film Center in Bellingham, money for the Lynden Senior Center, and replacing water infrastructure in Sumas.

A full list of 42nd LD capital projects can be found here.

In the transportation budget, 42nd District projects include:

  • Funding to make the I-5/Slater Road interchange safer.
  • Elevating Slater Road near Ferndale as an evacuation route in times of flood
  • Bicycle and pedestrian safety improvements around Lynden High School.

Both the capital and transportation budgets passed the Legislature with bipartisan support.

“These budgets create jobs, protect our environment, help folks in crisis, and provide so many of the investments that communities need to succeed,” said Shewmake. “I’m glad we were able to bring such a focus to the needs of Whatcom County in this budget, like agricultural science, salmon recovery, floodplain protections, investing in our riparian areas, and more. These state investments are going to do a lot of good for a lot of people.”