Water Brings Jobs To Yakima Basin

The economic impact of the construction of Black Rock would not only impact the Yakima Valley, but would be felt by the entire state. Research estimates that with a 25% contingency and 35% non-contract costs, the project cost would run over $3.7 billion. The Washington State Public Works Board estimates that construction dollars yields additional economic activity. With each million spent on construction, $2.34 million in additional economic activity would be generated. The estimated $2.21 billion in initial construction costs, expended over a 10 year period, will generate an average of $200 million per year. Based upon the Board’s figures, the estimated $468 million in additional economic activity would generate approximately 6000 construction and auxiliary jobs for the state.

• Funding options are Federal, State and local shares
• Black Rock project has received support from the state legislature
• Black Rock economic projections:
  
  

  Irrigated Agriculture	$ 930,000,000
  Fisheries Use	$ 100,000,000
  Recreation & Resort	$3,404,000,000
  Hydropower	$ 412,000,000
  Municipal & Construction Jobs	$ 468,000,000
  Fisheries Non-use	$2,600,000,000
  Total	$7,914,000,000

With the cost of the project being shared by local, state, federal, and private funding, Central Washington will reap a vast majority of the benefits. The long-term economic impact far exceeds any short-term expenses that may be felt locally.