GARFIELD, Wash. – Partners for Rural Washington’s ability to help small rural communities in the state just got a $400,000 boost, thanks to a grant from Resource Rural, a national initiative to help rural communities unlock public and private investment.
Resource Rural named Partners for Rural Washington, which is Washington State’s Rural Development Council, as one of its Local Resource Partners. The designation comes with a $400,000 grant over the next two years to help cover operating costs. Through collaboration in the Resource Rural Local Resource Partner network,PRWA will have access to a community of peers and partners, providing valuable opportunities to learn, collaborate and share insights.
“These funds will dramatically expand our capacity to help small towns in the state solve their thorniest issues,” said PRWA Executive Director Jody Opheim. “It is an investment that will help bolster rural vitality throughout Washington.”
Since its revitalization during the pandemic, PRWA has linked arms with a number of small rural communities to assist with projects ranging from building a new re station and town hall in re-ravaged Malden and refurbishing the aging public swimming pool in Oakesdale to replacing the failing water tower in Starbuck and expanding broadband access across northeastern Washington. PRWA mobilizes money and other resources, supports sound policy development and works directly alongside rural communities and their leaders to help them survive and thrive in the 21st Century.