2025-06-01
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The authors, including Washington’s Solicitor General, Noah Purcell, reveal how the “gift of public funds” doctrine has become a false barrier for government assistance to communities. For decades, agencies like the Port of Seattle have wrongly claimed that matching requirements, narrow purposes, and small amounts are requirements of the State Constitution although there is absolutely
The current Port of Seattle grant programs began in 2016 with a proposal by Commissioner John Creighton–responding to the uproar over the Flight Corridor Safety Program. As the name implies, the Airport Community Ecology (ACE) Fund (2016–2020) was meant as an environmental grants program. In late 2018 the Port created a separate, much broader South
2024-05-06
This document details noise-related Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grants awarded to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac) from 2002 through 2015, covering purposes such as noise mitigation for residences and public buildings, land acquisition for noise compatibility, and noise compatibility plan studies. Grant amounts range from hundreds of thousands to over eleven million dollars, targeting properties within various Day-Night Level (DNL) noise contours of 65-69 and 70-74 DNL. An accompanying federal assistance application (SF-424) shows a 2015 grant totaling approximately $4.8 million for property acquisition, relocation, and sound insulation, signed by Port of Seattle's Managing Director of Aviation.
2023-06-07
The City of Des Moines received Port Economic Development Partnership Grants that were used to support the redevelopment planning of the Des Moines Marina, covering design feasibility, financial feasibility, and the issuance of a Request for Qualifications. The city matched the grant funding by at least 100%, and the grants also helped fund the EATS program, which delivered meals to seniors and veterans while supporting local restaurants. City officials expressed gratitude for the support, noting it could help catalyze future investment opportunities in the city and marina.
2023-01-13
More than 60% of federal resilience funding in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law requires a local match, with an additional 13% requiring a match under certain conditions. Requirements for matching funds have been included in federal funding programs to promote economic efficiency and ensure communities have “skin in the game.” In practice, however, they can impose insurmountable burdens on communities,
2022-05-25
The City of SeaTac's Economic Development Division, in partnership with the Seattle Southside Chamber of Commerce and funded by a Port of Seattle grant, runs an annual Business Synergy Outreach Program to survey and support local businesses. Now in its fifth year (2022), the program uses survey results to guide business retention and expansion (BRE) initiatives aimed at helping SeaTac businesses grow and remain in the community.
2022-05-01
This FAA document outlines the legal assurances that planning agency sponsors must agree to when receiving federal grant funds for airport development, planning, or noise compatibility programs. Sponsors certify compliance with a broad range of federal laws, executive orders, and regulations—including civil rights, disability, and environmental requirements—and must maintain proper financial records subject to federal audit. The agreement remains binding for the full life of the funded project.
2022-05-01
This FAA document outlines the legal assurances that non-airport sponsors (such as local governments near an airport) must agree to when receiving federal grant funds for noise compatibility projects. Sponsors must comply with a wide range of federal laws, executive orders, and regulations — covering areas like civil rights, environmental protection, labor standards, and property acquisition — for the duration of the project, up to 20 years. These assurances become legally binding upon acceptance of the federal grant offer.
2022-05-01
This FAA document outlines the legally binding assurances that airport sponsors must agree to when accepting federal grant funds for airport development, planning, or noise compatibility programs. Sponsors certify compliance with a broad range of federal laws, executive orders, and regulations—including civil rights, environmental, and labor standards—for the duration of the project's useful life, which can extend up to 20 years. Certain obligations, such as those related to exclusive rights, airport revenue, and real property acquired with federal funds, have no expiration as long as the airport remains in operation.
2022-01-20
This January 2022 White House fact sheet outlines 25 competitive infrastructure funding opportunities available to local governments under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, covering transportation, climate, energy, and environmental programs. It highlights grants for roads, ports, buses, electric vehicle charging, school buses, and community reconnection projects, with funding amounts ranging from $1 billion to $7.5 billion per program. Note: this document focuses on broad federal infrastructure funding and does not specifically address airport noise policy or Sea-Tac Airport.
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