Rep. Stephanie Barnard urges action on her MATCH bill to boost WA's access to federal grants

In this video, Rep. Stephanie Barnard, R-Pasco, testifies before the House Innovation, Community and Economic Development, and Veterans Committee in support of House Bill 1870, known as the Moving Assets Towards Community Health Program (MATCH). This bipartisan-supported bill aims to provide essential assistance to Washington state communities in their efforts to secure federal grants. The proposal seeks to create a dedicated program within the Department of Commerce to streamline access to federal grant funding.

Barnard emphasized the urgency of the situation, highlighting the plethora of federal grant opportunities available, such as the Infrastructure Act, the Inflation Reduction Act, the CHIPs Act, and more. She stressed that Washington state communities are at a critical juncture, facing a unique moment where they can either thrive or struggle. Barnard witnessed numerous communities faltering in their pursuit of grants due to a lack of resource support and the necessary matching funds. She urged action, stating that historic opportunities are at hand, and it is important to act now to unlock the potential benefits for Washington state's communities.