Submitted by San Juan County.

Starting this week, applications are open for the Public Facilities Funding Assistance Program. Funded by sales and use tax, this program allows for local entities to apply for funding to finance public facilities serving economic development purposes.

What is PFFAP?

San Juan County collects sales and use tax from the state tax for the PFFAP program. This program has the goal of providing funding to create, attract, expand and retain businesses, provide family-wage jobs and provide affordable workforce housing infrastructure or facilities.

Past projects funded by PFFAP include core Economic Development Council initiatives such as business support and equity initiatives, accessibility improvements to the Orcas Center main entrance, and upgrades to the Jim Crook building at the County Fairgrounds.

During the Sept. 10 meeting, Council held a public hearing and adopted an ordinance extending the sales and use tax for public facilities until the year 2054.

“It’s clear to me what the benefits are of the PFFAP for the community and the many good supports this money has provided for the County and for economic development,” said Council Member Cindy Wolf. “And so, in my eyes, there’s a lot of value to going ahead and approving the retention of this tax.”

How To Apply for Funding

Applications Open: May 1 through June 2. Find application materials here: https://www.sanjuancountywa.gov/1099/PFFAP-Program-Applications.

Preliminary review: June 2 to June 30.

Presentations and Council review: July 1 to July 31.

Notification of award: September.

The County works with the Town of Friday Harbor and local Ports to ensure that expenditures meet the funding requirements outlined in the application materials.

Contact: Aiden Haines, administrative coordinator, aidenh@sanjuancountywa.gov, 360-370-7473.