ARLINGTON- The city is applying for a state grant to support the proposed Arlington-Marysville Manufacturing Industrial Center.

The City Council passed a resolution authorizing the city to apply for the $12,500 grant available through the state Commerce Department’s Community and Economic Revitalization Board.

Arlington and Marysville, the Port of Everett, Snohomish County, Community Transit, the Economic Alliance of Snohomish County, property owners and other parties have supported developing the Arlington-Marysville MIC into a regional center, city officials said.

Many studies have been completed, with the ultimate goal to gain MIC designation from the Puget Sound Regional Council.

The designated 4,091 acres of industrial and highway commercial properties from the Arlington Municipal Airport extending south to industrial-zoned land in Marysville south of the airport has the potential to become the county’s second largest manufacturing and industrial employment center after Paine Field, with a current capacity of 5,315 jobs. Over the next two decades, employment projections estimate up to 25,000 jobs by 2040, according to a market study.

The city has prepared the application seeking funding from CERB to have a consultant merge the various Arlington planning studies with the Marysville studies to produce an Arlington-Marysville MIC Master Plan.

Arlington Public Works Director Jim Kelly said Arlington, Marysville and the Port of Everett are applying for CERB grant.CERB requires the authorizing resolution that the council passed.Awarding of grants should happen in early May, Mayor Barb Tolbert said.

CERB grants provide funding to local governments and federally recognized tribes for public infrastructure that supports private business growth and expansion.

Also, the council passed a resolution to surplus two of the three remaining “Tri-B” buidings at the Airport Industrial Park, placing them up for sale. The properties became the cities through liens, but the buildings are in sub-standard condition, and the city does not have the funds to invest in improvements. Airport staff have created a request for proposal in order to market the properties, Airport Manager Dave Ryan said.