The start of a new year is when many decisions that shape the rest of the year quietly take effect. New tax rates, higher labor costs and revised budgets will influence how many businesses fare in the months ahead. For many local employers, this year likely has begun with a sense of renewal, but also with careful recalibration.

That reality frames our January edition, which focuses on the region’s economic outlook as well as architecture and engineering, two sectors that reflect both vulnerability and resilience in times of change. Across the Tri-Cities, there is shared recognition that the path forward is less predictable than in years past, but also a determination to adapt and endure.

In moments like this, clarity matters. Transparency and openness in decision-making help reduce uncertainty and allow individuals and businesses to plan with confidence. Important discussions, especially those involving public policy, should remain in the public eye, not behind closed doors. Secrecy erodes trust, while open dialogue strengthens it. When elected officials engage openly with the community, citizens and business owners can better understand the trade-offs and prepare for what lies ahead.

The past year has tested that resolve. Federal and local layoffs reduced household income and introduced uncertainty for those who feared they might be next. Small business closures in 2025, including several restaurants that long served as neighborhood gathering places, closed their doors.

Our economy has long benefited from a steady flow of federal dollars tied to the national laboratory and nuclear cleanup work. That relative insulation has provided stability for our community, but even that stability has not shielded businesses from what many owners describe as a tidal wave of rising costs. Inflation and higher operating expenses continue to squeeze margins, especially for small and service-based employers.

Against this backdrop, the start of the state legislative session carries added weight. Businesses are already absorbing higher tax rates and scheduled minimum wage increases – changes that disproportionately affect small employers. At the same time, lawmakers are debating billions of dollars in additional tax increases to address a budget gap. These discussions introduce further uncertainty into an already fragile environment.

Decisions made in Olympia will determine whether businesses have the capacity to hire, expand and invest locally, or whether to scale back. As the Legislature begins its 60-day session, policies that encourage economic growth and job creation should be prioritized over measures that add additional burdens on an already fragile business environment. 

Despite the uncertainty, there is resolve here. Our community has weathered challenges before, and it will do so again. Clear information, open dialogue and thoughtful policymaking will be essential tools as we navigate change, not simply to endure it, but to build a stronger economy and more vibrant community. That should remain the Tri-Cities’ priority.