Partners in Economic Development Program
The Chelan Douglas Regional Port Authority’s Partner Grant Program supports projects and initiatives that advance economic development across Chelan and Douglas Counties.
This program is designed to invest in partnerships that create measurable economic impact, strengthen our regional economy, and align with the Regional Port’s Strategic Plan.
Program Purpose
The Partner Grant Program provides funding to support projects that:
Drive sustainable economic growth
Support business development, retention, and expansion (BRE)
Enhance regional competitiveness and vitality
Leverage partnerships and additional investment
All funded projects must demonstrate a clear connection to the Regional Port’s economic development priorities.
Strategic Alignment
All applications must align with Goal #1: Economic Development of the CDRPA Strategic Plan.
Proposals should clearly demonstrate how the project supports one or more of the following:
Economic Development Planning
Business Recruitment, Retention, and Expansion
Industry Growth and Diversification
Workforce and Talent Development
Regional Collaboration and Investment
Applications are evaluated based on how well they advance these priorities and contribute to long-term economic outcomes in the region.
Eligibility
The program is open to:
Non-profit organizations
Municipalities and public entities
A single, streamlined application is used for all eligible applicants to ensure consistency and clarity in the evaluation process.
Application Process
The updated application has been designed to better position applicants for success by:
Clearly aligning requests with the Strategic Plan
Strengthening the focus on measurable outcomes and impact
Standardizing information across all applicants
Providing a more comprehensive and transparent evaluation framework
Applicants may be asked to provide supporting documentation, including project budgets, timelines, and evidence of secured or pending matching funds.
Apply Now
All applicants must complete the Partner Grant Program application and provide all required supporting materials. Applications should clearly demonstrate alignment with the Port’s Strategic Plan, specifically Goal #1: Economic Development, and outline measurable outcomes and project impact.
Submission Instructions:
Completed applications and all supporting documents must be submitted via email to:
Brooke Lammert, Economic Development Specialist
brooke@cdrpa.org
Please include “Partner Grant Application – [Organization Name]” in the subject line of your email.
Incomplete applications may not be considered for review.
Funding availability is subject to Board approval and may vary by funding cycle.
Review Process
Applications are reviewed through a structured, two-step process:
1. Partner Grant Committee Review
An evaluation committee consisting of Regional Port staff and Port Commissioners conducts an initial review of all complete applications.
This review focuses on:
Strategic alignment
Economic impact
Project readiness
Financial leverage
Community benefit
Accountability and feasibility
The committee may request clarification or additional information from applicants as needed.
2. Board of Directors Consideration
Applications recommended by the committee are presented to the full Board of Directors for final consideration during a public meeting.
Final funding decisions are made by the Board.
Scoring & Evaluation
Applications are evaluated using a standardized scoring rubric to ensure consistency, transparency, and alignment with Port priorities.
This rubric ensures that funding decisions prioritize projects that deliver meaningful, measurable outcomes and strong return on investment for the region.
Reporting & Accountability
Approved applicants will enter into a Partner Agreement outlining:
Scope of work
Performance metrics
Reporting requirements
Project timelines
Funding is tied to performance and progress toward stated outcomes.
Program Updates
The Partner Grant Program is periodically reviewed and refined to better serve applicants and align with the Regional Port’s Strategic Plan. Recent updates include:
A unified application for all applicant types
A more robust and strategic evaluation framework
A formalized committee review process
Enhanced scoring criteria tied directly to economic impact
Questions?
For questions about the Partner Grant Program, please contact:
Brooke Lammert, Economic Development Specialist
509-884-4700 ext. 203 brooke@cdrpa.org
