Port of Moses Lake Announces $500,000 Grant Award and $1 Million Federal Funding Submission for W20 Project

Moses Lake, WA - May 14, 2026: The Port of Moses Lake and W20 partners announced two major milestones for the W20 Project: a $500,000 grant award from the Grant County Strategic Infrastructure Program (SIP), and the submission of the Port’s request for $1 million in Fiscal Year 2027 federal appropriations by Senator Maria Cantwell.

Local Grant Will Support Operational Study and Early Project Work

The $500,000 SIP grant will support the W20 Project’s operational study, environmental studies and surveys, and other preliminary work. The operational study will further evaluate the project’s feasibility and potential impacts, particularly related to municipal and industrial water needs, West Canal capacity, lake levels, and storage management.

Grant County Commissioner Rob Jones said, “The W20 Project represents the kind of regionally significant effort the SIP was created to support. It brings together strong partnerships and has the potential to provide long-term benefits for our communities, local industry, and responsible water management throughout Grant County. Because of that potential, it is important that the project be thoroughly studied so we can fully understand its impacts, opportunities, and long-term value as decisions move forward.”

Previous SIP recipients included other Grant County port districts and municipalities from Mattawa’s wastewater improvements, Royal City’s road expansion, and in Quincy’s infrastructure development.

Federal Appropriations Submission Marks Another Key Milestone

Senator Maria Cantwell’s submission of the Port’s Fiscal Year 2027 appropriations request does not guarantee funding, but it represents an important step in the federal process. Projects not selected for submission generally are not considered in the current cycle, making this request a significant advancement for the W20 Project.

The Port expects additional information on the federal appropriations process later this summer and will continue to share updates as they become available.

Port of Moses Lake Commission President Stroud Kunkle said, “Two very big steps forward as both reflect the shared commitment of our local, state, and federal partners to move the W20 Project forward responsibly with the sound data needed to make decisions. We’re grateful to Grant County SIP committee for recognizing the value of this work, and we’re also very grateful to Senator Maria Cantwell for recognizing the importance of this project for our region. By partnering across agencies and communities, we’re building the foundation for practical, long-term solutions that strengthen water reliability and our regional economy.”

For updates on the Moses Lake operational study and next steps for the W20 Project, stay informed on continuing developments by subscribing to the W20 newsletter .

For more information, contact: 

Dan Roach, Executive Director

Port of Moses Lake

Tel: 509-771-6231

droach@portofmoseslake.com  

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About the Port of Moses Lake:

The Port of Moses Lake serves as an aviation, manufacturing, and technology hub for the Pacific Northwest. Home to Grant County International Airport, one of the largest airports in the Western United States, the Port is surrounded by greenfield land and low population density. Established in 1965, the Port of Moses Lake has connected Central Washington to the world, linking people and products by air, rail, and land, across the globe.

Learn more by going to: www.portofmoseslake.com 

About the W20 Project:

The W20 Project is a locally led water infrastructure initiative designed to deliver region-wide benefits for Grant County and the greater Columbia Basin. Driven by collaboration among local stakeholders, the W20 Project strengthens municipal water supplies, conserves groundwater, improves water quality, and provides important operational capacity and flexibility for the Columbia Basin Project.

Learn more by going to: www.w20project.org