“Legislature Funds Two Projects to Enhance Art, Education, and  Economic Development in Yelm”

[Editor’s note: The Nisqually Valley News reported reported on February 16, 2017, that the Yelm Business Assn. (YBA) first proposed an ordinance to the Yelm City Council to create a city arts commission. Former YBA Board member Steve Craig carried that through after the YBA dissolved. Read more Mr. Craig also founded the “Save the Water Tower” non-profit referenced in the story below, and who deserves much credit, though the city unfortunately omitted his being responsible for both of these fine additions to Yelm!]

“The Yelm community will see the iconic Water Tower come back to life as 125-foot-tall art piece that stands over the center of town and — at the same time — the City will start the beginning stages of developing a South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC) satellite branch and business incubator space, thanks to grant funding through the Washington State Legislature.”

“‘We are grateful for our legislators who worked with us to find the most appropriate funding source in the final budget adopted by the Legislature,’ City Administrator Michael Grayum said. ‘Both of these community projects are important for preserving Yelm’s past and building our future.’

“The State allocated $200,000 in the 2019-2021 Capital Budget to fund the conceptual building design, architectural renderings, community engagement, and cost estimate for a multi-story, mixed-use community building to serve as a business incubator to serve rural parts of Thurston and Pierce counties,” quoting the City of Yelm news release. Read more