By Karen Robes Meeks
The cities of Bucoda, Rainier, Tenino, and Yelm each recently received $10,000 for community and economic development investments by the Port of Olympia Commission.
The funds are part of the Port’s Small Cities Program, which was created in 2010 to help provide gap funding for community and economic development efforts in Thurston County cities with fewer than 15,000 residents.
Bucoda will use the money to buy event equipment for its popular Annual Haunted House, as well an outdoor event space.
Rainier will use the funds toward renovating and preserving the historic Rainier School and Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church for event and activity space rentals.
The funds will help Tenino with construction of a shaded pavilion for bicyclists.
Yelm will use the money to buy emergency notification message boards.
