Chelan County PUD is considering funding seven additional community projects this year, one of which includes an interactive exhibit at the Wenatchee Valley Museum and Cultural Center.

Since 2015, the Chelan County PUD board of commissioners have appropriated $6 million a year from the Public Power Benefit fund to go towards community projects. 

In order to distribute funds, the board needs to allocate all of their funds each year. This year, the board had already assigned $5.3 million and needs to designate $700,000 in order for any project to receive funding.

Out of 23 applications, seven projects were recommended to the board of commissioners during their August 15th meeting.

2022 Funding Year:

  • Wenatchee Valley Museum, Coyote Corner: An educational play space about the importance of rivers in our community. Cost: $460k.
  • Chelan parks master plan: A match with the City of Chelan to review the feasibility of adding a community park on PUD-owned ballfields currently leased to Chelan. Cost: $100k.
  • Supported employment: Funds two half-time positions for people with cognitive disabilities to help them gain skills and build their resumes. Cost: $140k.

2023 Funding Year:

  • Expanded fiber internet network: Accelerates the expansion of the PUD’s broadband network in order to give more neighborhoods access ahead of schedule. Cost: $2 mil.
  • Chelan parks master plan: A match with the City of Chelan to review the feasibility of adding a community park on PUD-owned ballfields currently leased to Chelan. Cost: $100k.
  • Sport courts: Supports a reconfiguration of sports courts, including new half-courts for basketball and dedicated courts for pickleball and tennis. $500k.
  • Water quality research at Lake Chelan: Supports water quality assessments and research by Lake Chelan Research Institute. Cost: $270k.
  • Job awareness and readiness: Engages local students in career possibilities within the hydropower and utility industries.
  • Unassigned holding money for 2023. Cost: $2.98 mil.

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