Port urges Bridgeport to partner on projects

BRIDGEPORT –- Officials from the Ports of Douglas and Chelan counties called on members of the city council at their regular monthly meeting Wednesday, June 19, to encourage city planners to reach out to the county economic development authority for help and funding for local improvement projects.

Douglas County District 3 Commissioner Mark Spurgeon, Port Economic Development Manager Ron Cridlebaugh, and Port of Chelan County Deputy Director James Kuntz jointly addressed council members about the advantages and resources the port can offer small communities like Bridgeport to get projects done.

Earlier this year, contract city planner Kurt Danison proposed a Community Revitalization Plan that encouraged development of the State Route 173 corridor that runs through the center of the city. Danison highlighted two programs, the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB).

“We know how to work with CERB; we know how to work the public trust funds,” said Kuntz who encouraged Bridgeport city officials to identify projects for city or recreational improvement and allow port staff to help with planning, grant writing and other specialties.

The port representatives stressed the advantages of the public-private partnership in making projects come together.

“Governmental institutions don’t create jobs, private enterprise does that,” said Kuntz. “What we want to do is provide infrastructure or whatever we can to get the private entities in here.”

Kuntz said in some cases that means helping with regulatory compliance, permitting and other preliminary procedures to make it easier for private entities to get up and running.

In a related action, council members approved a contract to allow SCJ Alliance Consulting Services to help the city engage the State Route 173 corridor revitalization project.