PORT TOWNSEND — The long-debated Jefferson County land bank feasibility study received some impetus last week when Port of Port Townsend commissioners committed $4,500 toward the proposal, months after Jefferson County commissioners kicked in a $25,000 contribution.
Now, Economic Development Council leaders, who have been struggling to muster financial support for an industrial land bank feasibility study, are expected to approach Port Townsend city leaders for a contribution.
Tamer Kirac, EDC executive director, said the agency, which tries to create jobs, is expected to ask the City Council in February for $14,500.
If that donation comes through, it would bring the EDC up to an amount that the state Community Trade and Economic Development Department would match to cover the study.
Officials of the state agency have supported the study.
“This is not an industrial land bank study,” Kirac said Friday.
“This is a very comprehensive study of one of the items, the need to investigate the feasibility of a land bank.”
Should the study determine a land bank is not feasible, the proposal would likely be dropped, officials said.