K-Mart Reopening Ribbon Cutting

May 29, 2008

*As Written*

Good Afternoon, and thank you Vil (Hafoka Half-OAK-Ka, store manager) for the kind introduction.

If you saw this K-Mart after the December flood as I did, you would know what a special day this is � not just for Vil and his employees � but for all of Lewis County.

This store was ruined � four feet of water and mud wiped out most of the inventory and shut down the business.

This darkened K-Mart was a highly visible symbol of the suffering in this county, where so many people lost their homes and their livelihoods in this tragedy.

Today, this essentially brand new K-Mart stands as another kind of symbol � a symbol of the courageous, �can-do� spirit of the people of Lewis County.

Hundreds of Lewis County folks can tell you inspiring stories about how they coped � and continue to cope � with the impacts of this tragedy.

The people of this K-Mart have an inspiring story too.

As store manager, Vil�s first concern was for his employees. So Vil used store money to rent vans and cars to send employees to work temporarily at K-Marts in Lacey, Tacoma, and Spanaway.

He made sure his employees got the hours they needed to keep paychecks coming in for them and their families.

Meanwhile, Vil made a basic decision. Rather than just clean up the mess and reopen � the store would invest in a major remodel.

Now -- Vil will tell you this is the best K-Mart around now.

Of course, he�s a little biased, but he does make a point when he notes that this K-Mart now has a greatly expanded electronic department and pharmacy -- and the store also now has a wonderful department to buy things for your pets.

(Maybe I�ll bring Trooper down for a makeover.)

So let this gleaming new K-Mart be a symbol for the continuing spirit of recovery here in Lewis County.

Vil and his employees are one example of that spirit.

Another I�ll mention today is at the Curtis Store in the Boistfort Valley. There, Ben Hearn, who bought the store after it was devastated by the flood, hopes to reopen in August thanks to the hard work and help of many, many Washingtonians.

Sometimes it takes a whole community, and this was one of those times. Ben provided the vision. Businesses and individuals, including TransAlta, donated equipment. Labor unions donated labor. All Ben needs to do now to reach his goal is complete a business plan.

Despite these successes, make no mistake, there is still a lot of work to do.

And we�re doing a lot. Just last week we provided $1 million in loans and grants to the Port of Chehalis. This allows development of 125 acres of industrial property -- bringing new jobs and a bigger tax base for Lewis County. At the same time, the port will be able to develop wetlands to reduce the risk of flooding and improve habitat.

My recovery task force is busy seeing to the repair of infrastructure, getting people back into their homes, providing one-stop help for jobs and social services needs, removing mud, logs garbage, and providing funds to help small businesses.

Working closely with your legislators and the community, we have provided up to $10 million through our housing trust fund for victims of the storm, and another $50 million to jump start the critical Centralia-Chahalis Flood Control project, which includes money for the levy project and a basin-wide study.

I want to stress once again that the storm reminded us of our obligation to find a solution and we are committed to making it happen.

But the state will work with the community to find a solution that works for the community. We won�t just impose a solution on you.

We have also provided funds to local governments to help them with the matching dollars required by FEMA, and I provided $2 million through the Governor�s economic development strategic reserve account to help small businesses.

We have already provided $300,000 to help local businesses, with plans to provide more.

As the reopening of this store illustrates so beautifully � the flood waters of December could not drown the spirit of Lewis County -- and I�m happy to be here today to see that spirit all lit up once again.

Together, we will get through this tragedy � and one day it will be a story you tell your grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Congratulations Vil, and to all the K-Mart employees. And bring on the Blue Light Specials!