What’s Happening in Stevens County? Spring Notes From the Jobsite

At Wethered Timberworks LLC, we don’t just build homes—we build futures. And around here, that means staying grounded in the dirt and paying attention to what’s happening at the county level.

Spring is when things get moving. The snow melts, boots sink into thawing mud, the birds start singing, and our trucks start sinking too—because yep, Stage 3 road restrictions are still in effect on many rural roads.

Welcome to building season in Northeast Washington.

But while we wait for things to dry out enough to pour footings or haul trusses, we’re also tracking what’s happening in Stevens County government, public works, and infrastructure planning—because decisions made in meetings we didn’t attend have a funny way of showing up in our budgets and timelines.

County Conversations That Matter

The Stevens County Commissioners have had a full agenda this spring, and it’s worth paying attention. Here are a few highlights:

Affordable Housing & Shelter Projects Funding is being considered for a Tiny House Village and expanded Colville shelter space. It’s a step toward helping folks off the streets, and possibly into trades training and long-term housing. We’re watching closely.
Justice Center Development A new 95,000-square-foot Justice Center is in early development. This is the kind of public project that brings jobs, contracts, and coordination challenges—and we’re keeping an eye on how it unfolds.
Broadband Expansion Support for the TEDD USDA Community Connect Grant is promising. Rural internet that actually works? That’s a luxury some folks still don’t have. Better broadband helps everyone from designers to surveyors to clients working remotely while building their dream home.

Public Works in Motion

Stevens County’s Public Works Department is deep into seasonal operations.

They’re maintaining over 1,500 miles of roads, split between gravel and paved. Crews are grading, filling, sealing, and trying to stay ahead of spring runoff. But for us builders, there’s one update that matters more than most:

Stage 3 weight restrictions. That means: No heavy loads, no big deliveries, no full concrete trucks on certain roads without a permit—and sometimes not even with one. So we keep one eye on the weather, and the other on the county website, trying to time our pours and deliveries with nature’s mood swings. It’s like playing poker with frost heaves.

Elsewhere, water system upgrades are underway in Hunters, and the Little Pend Oreille Lakes are getting some much-needed love in the form of invasive weed control and shoreline maintenance. It might not seem like it connects to construction—but every road, culvert, and water system matters when you’re building outside city limits.

Jobs, Wellness, and Who’s Doing the Work

Stevens County is hiring—mental health techs, engineering interns, flaggers, and public works crew members are all needed.

There’s also work happening behind the scenes on opioid abatement planning, which we’re watching closely. It’s no secret that the trades have been hit hard by chronic pain and substance misuse. We’re pushing for a better path: injury prevention workshops, partnerships with fitness professionals, and practical resources to help our crews stay healthy and strong—on the job and off.

Why It All Matters

If you’re building a home, delays from road restrictions, infrastructure hiccups, or policy blind spots can be frustrating—and expensive.

If you’re in the trades, understanding what the county’s doing can help you plan ahead, avoid fines, and grab the opportunities that are opening up.

And if you’re just someone who cares about this place—knowing what’s happening in our local government gives you a voice. And rural communities need every voice they can get right now.

Our Take

We’re proud members of the Tri-County Home Builders Association, representing Stevens, Ferry, and Pend Oreille counties. And we’re not shy about showing up. Whether it’s a jobsite, a board meeting, or a conversation with a client who’s nervous about their budget—we’re there.

We believe in this place. We believe in the people building it. And we believe that keeping things affordable, professional, and local matters more than ever.