SEATTLE— The Puget Sound Regional Council has certified that the 2003 amendments to Kitsap County's planning policies are consistent with the region's long range transportation plan. Among the new provisions approved by Kitsap County are the designation of downtown Silverdale and the South Kitsap Industrial Area as regional centers .
The changes were unanimously approved by the PSRC's Executive Board today, following agreement reached among cities and towns in Kitsap County. "Congratulations to Kitsap County for completing the centers designation process," said PSRC President Richard McIver. "It puts you in a better position to compete for funding."
Regional centers are areas targeted by local jurisdictions for housing and/or employment growth. Until now, Bremerton has been the only designated regional center in Kitsap County. The county's designation puts both centers in a better place to compete for federal transportation funds available through the PSRC.
This spring the PSRC will launch a competition for roughly $90 million in federal transportation funds. Half of these funds will be put in a regional pot for competition and will only be available for regional centers , such as Bremerton, Silverdale, and the South Kitsap Industrial Area, and the transportation systems that support them. There are now 23 designated regional centers and 9 designated manufacturing/industrial centers .
The Regional Council coordinates decisions about regional growth and transportation planning in King, Pierce, Snohomish, and Kitsap counties. The Council is composed of over 80 county, city, port, transit, tribal and state agencies serving the region. It coordinates the distribution of about $150 million in Federal Highway Administration and Federal Transportation Administration funds each year. The Regional Council sets priorities and evaluates the most efficient ways to target those funds to support state and local transportation and growth management plans.
Title VI Notice: PSRC fully complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and related statutes and regulations in all programs and activities. For more information, or to obtain a Title VI Complaint Form, see http://www.psrc.org/ about/civilrights.htm or call 206-464-6175.