King County Community Service Area grants for District 9 were announced today by Metropolitan King County Council Vice Chair Reagan Dunn. The Greater Maple Valley Unincorporated Area Council (UAC), Save Habitat and Diversity of Wetlands (SHADOW), Hobart community Church, and Lake Desire community Club will each receive grant awards totaling $6,640.
“These grants help to create more active and vibrant communities,” Dunn said. “I was glad to have had the chance to work with my colleagues on the council during the last budget cycle to increase the grant awards in order to create more opportunity for unincorporated community engagement.”
$2,000 was awarded to the Greater Maple Valley Unincorporated Area Council for the 21st Annual Maple Valley Model Train Show, an event that works to educate and entertain the local community about model railroading.
The Lake Desire Community Club received three awards totaling almost $3,200 for community movie events, repairs to the clubhouse roof, and a National Night Out event. National Night Out events help neighborhoods build relationships with law enforcement and service providers and encourage community building.
“The Lake Desire Community Club is grateful to King County for their generous contribution to assist in funding an update to the roof of our community center, as well as funds to contribute to our annual summer barbecue and outdoor movie night,” said Heather Stafford, President of the Lake Desire Community Club. “We host many community-building events and public meetings at our community center throughout the year for nearby neighborhoods in and around our area of King County.”
$1,000 was awarded to the SHADOW Lake Nature Preserve for educational events and the restoration of local wetlands and forests. SHADOW Lake Nature Preserve is a non-profit organizations based in Southeast King County offering ongoing hands-on education surrounding the restoration work occurring on the grounds of the Nature Preserve.
The Shadow Ridge Homeowners Association received a grant for $450 to create a neighborhood ‘Little Library’, a free book lending center that works to increase literacy and engage residents. Shadow Ridge Association members also hope the creation of the library sparks other community engagement projects.
The King County Community Service Areas (CSA) offer expanded ways for the County to engage with the over 252,000 county residents who live outside city boundaries. There are more than 72,000 residents of Council District 9 living in CSAs.
The grant programs within the CSA’s are available through a competitive application process.
The grants must be used to fund community projects that offer unincorporated area residents in the Community Service Areas an opportunity to participate and be more connected in their communities. A total of $90,000 will be reimbursed for projects in 2018.
If you live in an unincorporated community and are interested in learning more about the CSA program and how to apply for future grant opportunities please contact Councilmember Dunn’s office at Reagan.Dunn@kingcounty.gov or visit www.kingcounty.gov/exec/community-service-areas.aspx
