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Clark County’s nonprofits and governments still reeling after federal funds freeze called off

Agencies are combing the fine print to be prepared in event of White House’s next move

By Alexis Weisend, Columbian staff reporter
Published: January 29, 2025, 1:52pm

Leaders of Clark County governments and nonprofits remain uneasy even though the White House on Wednesday rescinded an order freezing all federal grants and loans. The order would have undercut local projects and programs — from homeless services to the Interstate 5 Bridge replacement.

Amid Tuesday’s confusion about a vague memo from the federal Office of Management and Budget, Clark County agencies dove into fine print to understand which services and programs might be impacted.

Just before the freeze was supposed to go into effect at 2 p.m. PST Tuesday, a federal district judge temporarily blocked it.

The freeze could have resulted in major setbacks across Clark County by delaying infrastructure projects, halting loans for small businesses and forcing cuts to homeless services.

Funding freeze

President Donald Trump speaks to reporters aboard Air Force One en route from Miami to Joint Base Andrews, Md., Monday, Jan. 27, 2025.Trump White House rescinds order freezing federal grants after widespread confusion
President Donald Trump's budget office on Wednesday rescinded a memo freezing spending on federal grants, less than two days after it sparked…
A federal funding freeze would have hit homeless services in Clark County but it was temporarily halted by a judge before the White House rescinded the order.Clark County’s nonprofits and governments still reeling after federal funds freeze called off
Leaders of Clark County governments and nonprofits remain uneasy even though the White House on Wednesday rescinded an order freezing all federal grants and loans.…
President Donald Trump speaks to reporters aboard Air Force One en route from Miami to Joint Base Andrews, Md., Monday, Jan. 27, 2025.Trump’s attempted funding freeze stirs confusion and rebukes from WA leaders
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Schools, local governments and nonprofits are trying to find out what a freeze on federal funding and loans would mean for Clark County.Federal funding freeze: Clark County governments, schools, nonprofits looking for answers
Clark County governments, schools and nonprofits are scrambling for information about how a White House order to freeze all federal grants and loans will impact…

The offices of Washington Sens. Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray, both Democrats, contacted Vancouver-based Council for the Homeless to understand how the freeze would affect Clark County homeless services.

The nonprofit is grateful for the federal funding it receives, Council for the Homeless spokeswoman Nneka Coxeff said.

“Unfortunately, confusing and chaotic pronouncements from a key funder create distraction, pulling us away from fulfilling our obligations to the people we serve and from the community as a whole,” Coxeff said today.

Despite the order’s withdrawal, Clark County organizations might not be out of the woods. Staff are closely watching for any updates out of the White House.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement today that more executive action will continue “to end the egregious waste of federal funding” in the coming weeks and months.

On X, Leavitt said the White House is not rescinding the federal funding freeze, just the memo ordering the freeze due to “any confusion created by the court’s injunction.”

Aaron Lande, the city of Vancouver’s program and policy development manager, said city staff began reviewing all current and pending federal grants that could have been impacted by the freeze.

Despite the rescission, Vancouver staff are continuing their review today and discussing how the city’s ability to administer programs and projects might be impacted if the White House reinstates the freeze order.

Clark County spokeswoman Joni McAnally said county departments will continue to pivot their work to ensure compliance while analyzing any impacts to services.

“The actions taken by our new federal administration are happening very quickly, with little or no notice,” McAnally said.

Murray, who raised alarm bells about possible funding cuts to projects including the I-5 Bridge replacement, said in a statement today that the Trump administration “caused real harm and chaos for millions over the span of the last 48 hours.”

“This is an important victory for the American people whose voices were heard after massive pressure from every corner of this country — real people made a difference by speaking out,” Murray said.

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This story was made possible by Community Funded Journalism, a project from The Columbian and the Local Media Foundation. Top donors include the Ed and Dollie Lynch Fund, Patricia, David and Jacob Nierenberg, Connie and Lee Kearney, Steve and Jan Oliva, The Cowlitz Tribal Foundation and the Mason E. Nolan Charitable Fund. The Columbian controls all content. For more information, visit columbian.com/cfj.

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