The Capital Improvement Program (CIP) is the county government’s six-year plan of community investment projects for unincorporated areas of Thurston County, and it is Appendix G of Thurston County's Comprehensive Plan. The CIP is part of the Capital Facilities Plan (CFP) which ensures that the county's public facilities and services keep up with population growth. 

Final 2026-2031 Capital Improvement Program

The work is mandated by the Washington State Legislature through its Growth Management Act (RCW 36.70A.020) which requires county Comprehensive Plans to plan for specific facilities and financing methods and to make regular plan adjustments based on current budgets and community needs.

The planning document includes estimated proposed dates, costs, and methods of financing roads, bridges, sewers, parks, drinking water facilities, stormwater, garbage disposal, recycling, and government and public services buildings. This plan is long-range in scope because implementing capital improvements typically requires multi-year commitments of financial resources. The planning is also complex and requires each department of the county to focus on projects under their jurisdiction, while coordinating with the BoCC and other county departments.