Brickworks $110K Matching Fund Grant

Big boost for Brickworks and the Ag Guild!

The San Juan Islands Agricultural Guild is pleased to announce its receipt of a major matching grant commitment from the Town of Friday Harbor to help pay for capital expenditures and improvements relating to the Brickworks project in the downtown core of Friday Harbor, San Juan Island. Under the terms of the formal Agreement between the Town and the Ag Guild, the Town has authorized up to $100,000 of Lodging Tax funds to be issued as matching amounts to other private or public donations, grants or gifts towards the project.

“We are totally delighted with this extraordinary demonstration of support by the Town for what we have long believed would be a mutually rewarding project,” said Susie Wampler, Ag Guild chairperson. “Along with other recent major donations and matching grants as well as an increasing number of smaller personal donations, we are under full steam to achieve our goal of opening the facility in time for the summer farmer’s market, art market and other community-oriented events.”

The physical transformation of the property into a vibrant multiple-use public gathering place, used for hosting a variety of farmers and artisan markets as well as educational and cultural events, represents a centerpiece of the Ag Guild’s mission to foster a vibrant and sustainable local food system in the county.

“I am so optimistic about what this means for Friday Harbor,” said Mayor Carrie Lacher. “In addition to enhancing the community, I expect this investment will provide opportunities for new partnerships between the Ag Guild and the Town.”

When completed, Brickworks is expected to serve as a significant local economic driver, bringing new life and sense of community to a previously underdeveloped and neglected part of the Friday Harbor downtown area.

“The Brickworks project is uniquely situated and will promote a town-square feeling in the downtown core. I am glad that Friday Harbor is participating in the effort to preserve our history and promote tourist activities that mean so much to our businesses,” said Town Councilmember Steve Hushebeck.

For more information on the project and how to make a contribution, see www.fhbrickworks.com or email info [@] fhbrickworks.com.
Contributions can also be mailed to SJI Ag Guild, PO Box 1945, Friday Harbor, WA 98250.

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