Lamb Weston’s closed Connell processing plant once again is on the chopping block as city and Port of Pasco leaders determine a path forward for the community.

The Eagle, Idaho-based potato processor confirmed to the Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business that it will demolish the plant, which shut down in October 2024.

“We are retaining the land to preserve value and flexibility for the future,” spokeswoman Erin Gardiner said in an email.

The company did not disclose when the demolition will occur.

Connell Mayor Shelly Harper said city officials were told the plant would be torn down before Thanksgiving.

Meanwhile, a report commissioned to identify potential industrial development sites in the community was recently presented to city and port officials. It urges both entities to take steps to position two possible sites for future development as soon as possible.

“While regional demand for logistics, warehousing, value-added agriculture, light manufacturing, and skilled trades remains strong, Connell currently lacks sufficient suitable spaces and shovel-ready sites to fully participate in this market,” according to the report from ECOnorthwest. “This project’s market analysis suggests that preparing potential industrial sites could reduce reliance on a single employer, broaden the local employment base, and strengthen Connell’s role in the Southeast Washington industrial economy.”

Lamb Weston is one of the Tri-Cities’ largest employers, with about 2,806 employees working in its processing facilities and administrative offices, according to 2025 data in the Journal’s Book of Lists. 

The company cited inflation and “supply and demand imbalance” as reasons for the Connell processing facility’s closure in the fall of 2024 and laying off roughly 375 workers. Upon its closure, Lamb Weston filed demolition permits for the facility before instead listing the property for sale, reportedly for $30 million.

The property was pulled from the market in October 2025.

“We’ve determined that a sale of that facility is not in the best interest of our business at this time. We will continue to complete our strategic review of other options,” the company said in a recent earnings call.

The plant’s closure devastated the north Franklin County community, as many of its employees lived in Connell, and the facility was the largest source of revenue for the city's water system.

The city’s taxable retail sales tax revenue also was down 26% during the third quarter of 2025, which directly relates to the Connell plant closure,  said. Its property tax revenue also will be affected once Lamb Weston demolishes the plant.

City officials teamed up with the port to identify other industrial sites in and around the community and to recruit new industrial companies that could provide the jobs and economic support previously provided by the Lamb Weston facility.

ECOnorthwest’s report identified three potential industrial sites within or close to Connell, though the consultant said the city and port should focus on two in the near term: a city-owned 7.2-acre site on the south end of town below Hawthorne Street and a privately-owned nearly 300-acre site just east of the town across Highway 395 made up of open and agricultural land.

While both sites have advantages for potential industrial partners, they would both need substantial infrastructure enhancements.

ECOnorthwest proposed a flex industrial building for the smaller site and a warehouse building for the larger one just outside town.

“Analysis indicates that both (sites) could have modest feasibility under favorable market conditions,” according to the report. “However, the analysis results are highly sensitive, and the project could require public subsidies during actual site development, depending on current costs and revenues.”