Central Washington Applied Technology and Entrepreneurship Center
Central Washington Applied Technology and Entrepreneurship Center – Ellensburg, WA - 400 E University Way, Ellensburg WA 98926
Amount Requested: $3,000,000
The funding would be used to transform a historic industrial building adjacent to Central Washington University’s campus into a regional hub for technology commercialization, advanced manufacturing prototyping, and workforce development. This project would complete the first phase of this construction, which would establish the minimum operational conditions to attract anchor tenants in the aerospace supply chain, agricultural technology, advanced materials, and clean energy sectors. This project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because Kittitas County faces increased structural economic challenges. The county's workforce is concentrated in low-wage industries — education, government, retail, and hospitality — that generate little outside revenue and do not sustain wage growth. This project would strengthen long-term regional workforce capacity, attracting Central Washington University graduates and creating a targeted 250 direct living-wage jobs within 10 years. This project would bolster domestic manufacturing competitiveness, uplifting local industries and surrounding economies.
Federal nexus: 42 USC 5305(a)(2)