OLYMPIA, Wash. – Washington state’s capital budget has been approved through 2025 and it includes a major investment project for mental health crises in Whatcom County.

State Representative Alicia Rule told Cascadia Daily that she has secured $9 million from the state to fund a crisis relief center in Bellingham.

The center, which would run 23 hours a day, would divert people experiencing mental health issues to receive appropriate services from a jail or hospital.

Funding for the center’s development would be fully covered through the state budget.

State Senator Sharon Shewmake and Whatcom County Executive Satpal Sidhu both praised the passage of the funding, calling it a crucial need.

The crisis relief center’s location and a construction timeline have not been released.