Big names show up in Tumwater for grant presentation

The presentation of a $5M WIRED grant to the Pacific Mountain Workforce Consortium, a group comprised of businesses, unions and governments in Thurston, Mason, Lewis, Grays Harbor and Pacific counties brought a high profile set of politicians to Tumwater today reports The Olympian.

U.S. Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell attended the event and visited workshops along with Rep. Brian Baird (D- 3rd) and Superintendent of Public Instruction Terry Bergeson. The grant is used to help promote skilled technology and trade education for local industries.

"I think we're making progress when you run into Senator Cantwell in the halls of Congress, and you say ‘Good morning, senator,' and she says, ‘How's the WIRED grant coming?'" mused Bob Guenther, a lobbyist for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.

Same goes when they all show up for a grant presentation.