Rural County Economic Development


If you are looking for information about the monitoring process related to the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) for Island County, please contact the Economic Development Council at (360) 678-6889 or send an email with info@edcislandcounty.org.

The RCED Application Is Now Closed.

The goal of Island County's Rural County Economic Development Infrastructure Investment Program is to improve the economy of Island County by creating and retaining ongoing private sector jobs. To achieve this, the program offers grants to local governments with qualifying proposals to assist in financing the cost of public facilities that will assist businesses in creating and retaining jobs. The sales taxes used to support this program come from a rebate back to Island County of Washington state's share of 6.5% of sales-and-use taxes authorized by RCW 82.14.370, and therefore do not increase the tax for the consumer.

Objectives of this Program Include:

  • Assisting in financing public facilities that will stimulate private capital investments which benefit the community and the public at large and will increase the number of ongoing, family wage jobs available to local residents;
  • Retaining businesses and/or facilitating the expansion of existing businesses within Island County;
  • Attracting new businesses to Island County that create family wage jobs; and,
  • Supporting a stable and diversified local economy.

Funding is awarded through an annual grant process. Only local government agencies and port districts within Island County are eligible to submit applications. Local governments include the county, cities, port districts, water and sewer districts and other districts that may implement projects consistent with the objectives of this program. 

Use of Rural County Economic Development funds is restricted by state law RCW 82.14.370(3)(a) and may only be used to finance public facilities serving economic development purposes in rural counties and finance personnel in economic development offices. Public facilities "… means bridges, roads, domestic and industrial water facilities, sanitary sewer facilities, earth stabilization, storm sewer facilities, railroads, electrical facilities, natural gas facilities, research, testing, training, and incubation facilities in innovation partnership zones designated under RCW 43.330.270, buildings, structures, telecommunications infrastructure, transportation infrastructure, or commercial infrastructure, and port facilities in the state of Washington." RCW 82.14.370(3)(c)

2025 RCED Application Timeline

This timeline is modified from the published policy to allow more time to finetune the application expectations and allow applicants more time to prepare. The Board of Island County Commissioners agreed to this timeline on March 19, 2025. All actions after the application window closed are subject to the scheduling availability for the members of the Board.
March 24
 RCED Application Open
April 30 RCED Application Deadline
May 1 to 31

 County personnel review applications for completeness and minimum program requirements.
Early July Qualifying applicants will be contacted to schedule oral presentations to the Board of County Commissioners at Work Session.
August 20                         
 Qualifying applicants make oral presentations at the Board of Island County Commissioners' meeting. Representatives from cities, towns, ports, and the EDC will be invited to attend presentations and provide written comments on each application presented.
September 5 Written Comment Deadline
September
 Commissioners to determine project awards. Particular attention will be given to new or infrequent applicants.
September 30 Applicants will be notified by the end of the month.