For Immediate Release
September 27, 2016
Contact: Lisa Dulude
Lisa.Dulude@snoco.org
425-388-3965
Snohomish County Joins Craft3 and Regional Partners for Septic System Loan Program
Everett, Snohomish County—Snohomish County has partnered with Craft3 as the new lender for the low-interest loan portion of the County’s existing Savvy Septic program. The County recently joined a group of ten public agencies across Puget Sound to launch a regional septic lending program led by the Washington State Departments of Ecology and Health. Craft3 was selected through a competitive process as the program lender.
“Failing septic systems can impact our drinking water, the health of our waterways, and family finances,” says Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers. “Our new collaboration with Craft3 and our regional partners enhances the County’s existing program through increased access to affordable financing for septic repairs and maintenance. By taking part in this program, Savvy Septic loan recipients play a vital role in protecting the health of their families and Puget Sound waterways.”
The County’s Savvy Septic Program, which launched in April 2015, offers low interest loans, grants, and rebates for septic repairs and maintenance. In the first fifteen months of the Savvy Septic Program, Snohomish County homeowners received more than $476,000 in direct financial incentives and assistance to replace and maintain failing septic systems. In that time, the Program has also generated more than $564,000 in economic benefit for local septic contractors.
“This new loan program exemplifies partnerships at their best. It responsibly invests in clean water infrastructure, supports Puget Sound recovery, builds family resilience in rural areas, and helps ensure access to clean water that is essential to our communities,” said Polly Zehm, Deputy Director of Washington State Department of Ecology. “I’m thrilled to see counties, the state and Craft3 come together to make a measurable impact on our region’s water quality.”
The goal of Snohomish County’s Savvy Septic Pilot Program is to increase access to financing for the approximate 80,000 county homeowners with on-site septic systems. Savvy Septic is made possible through a Centennial grant award from the Department of Ecology and program matching funds from the Snohomish County’s Surface Water Management Division.
For more information about the Savvy Septic program loans, grants, rebates, and free maintenance workshops visit: www.savvyseptic.org or contact 425-388-3636 or savvy.septic@snoco.org.
About Craft3: Craft3 is a nonprofit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) lender with a mission to strengthen economic, ecological and family resilience in Pacific Northwest communities. Craft3 provides loans to businesses, nonprofits and individuals, including those without access to traditional financing. Since inception, Craft3 has invested more than $380 million in over 4,800 people and businesses in Oregon and Washington. For more information about Craft3 visit https://www.craft3.org/.