Community Capital Facilities

You may not think about the Department of Commerce when your school gets a new Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system, or when the neighborhood senior center is expanded, or a downtown building is redeveloped to provide affordable housing with a daycare center and job training rooms. But those are all part of the work at Commerce.

Some of our most visible work is the result of reimbursement-style grants we provide to local governments and nonprofit organizations. They in turn help communities build and improve a variety of public facilities. All of these programs are funded by the sale of state bonds. Funding reaches communities through several competitive grant programs or capital projects introduced by the governor or the Legislature.

What is a capital facility project? A capital facility project is the purchase, new construction or significant, long-term improvements to existing facilities that are part of public infrastructure (e.g., schools, health facilities, libraries). A capital project usually has a useful life of at least 13 years and typically requires the involvement of an architect and/or engineer.

Behavioral Health Facilities Program

Our grants establish new behavioral health service capacity in communities through acquisition, renovation, or new construction of real property.

Behavioral Health Model Ordinance Project

The Department of Commerce was charged by the Washington State Legislature per ESSB 6168 (2020), Section 127 (27) to develop a model ordinance for cities […]

Building Communities Fund Program

State grants are available to nonprofit, community-based organizations to defray eligible capital costs to acquire, construct, renovate or rehabilitate nonresidential community and social service centers.

Building for the Arts Program

Since 1991, the state has awarded award grants to nonprofit performing arts, art museum and cultural organizations.

Early Learning Facilities Program

The Early Learning Facilities program supports Washington’s commitment to develop additional high quality early learning opportunities for children from low-income households.

Library Capital Improvement Program

The Library Capital Improvement Program was created by the Legislature in their 2019 Regular Session to assist libraries operated by governmental units to acquire, construct, or rehabilitate their facilities.

Youth Recreational Facilities Program

State grants are available to nonprofit organizations to help defray eligible capital costs for acquisition, construction and renovation of nonresidential youth recreation facilities.

Local and Community Projects