PULLMAN, Wash. – The Washington State Department of Commerce recently announced the appointment of Ken Casavant, professor of economics at Washington State University, to the Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB).
“I’m excited about the opportunity to help direct resources to areas where they are most needed and prioritize decisions based on cost and benefit analysis,” Casavant said.
“CERB will benefit from the deep knowledge and expertise Ken brings in economics, as well as his relationships and accomplishments with local and regional economic development officials,” said Brian Bonlender, director of the commerce department.
Appointed to a three-year term as the board economist, Casavant will bring an analytical eye to decisions about funding priorities for limited budgets. His long and distinguished academic career as an agriculture and rural economist at WSU has focused on transportation issues and impacts to rural communities in Washington.
“Transportation means access,” he said. “Good transportation and infrastructure create access to business, markets and facilities. It is vital to the economic livelihood of rural communities.”
Casavant has served on the Pacific Northwest Power Planning and Conservation Council, the Washington Transportation Planning Committee and the Washington State Air Transportation Commission. He directs the Freight Policy Transportation Institute at WSU.
CERB partners with local governments and communities to fund public infrastructure improvements that encourage private business development and expansion and promote job creation with a particular focus on rural areas. Projects have ranged from stormwater infrastructure, telecommunications, port facilities and food processing and distribution centers to community microgrants for enhancements like bike racks, community gardens and street lighting.
Contacts:
Ken Casavant, WSU School of Economic Sciences, 509-335 1608, casavantk@wsu.edu
Sylvia Kantor, WSU CAHNRS Marketing, News and Educational Communications, 206-770-6063, kantors@wsu.edu