Despite a global pandemic, 2021 was a pleasant surprise for the Tri-Cities Airport in Pasco. There’s reason for optimism as we have seen a significant improvement in air travel volumes.Coming into the year, staff forecasted passenger traffic would reach 60% (262,873) of our 2019 passenger numbers (438,123). This estimate represents...
The last year in the Tri-Cities was a busy one for all jurisdictions, and Richland was no different. Changes and improvements were made in many areas throughout the city, from building roads and upgrades, to new developments and increased rooftops, adding new businesses and growing some of our favorite businesses.Richland...
Sense of community is why we do what we do, and relationships are how we get it done. These two things enabled us to be successful during the pandemic as our industry was crippled by declining hotel occupancies, hospitality staffing shortages and financial hardships.Due to the impacts of the pandemic,...
If the last two years of the Covid pandemic have taught us anything, it has demonstrated that active, livable downtowns don’t just happen. It takes a comprehensive approach coupled with professional leadership, collective coordination with partners and dedicated volunteers to ensure success. This is the role of the Historic Downtown...
We are in the midst of a launching point for major achievements for our region and nation. We are still adapting how we live our lives. As I pointed out in last year’s column, history points to shifts in human behavior after periods of strife. The Pasco Chamber of Commerce also...
It’s been an exciting year in the Kennewick School District – one marked by growth, expansion and innovation.We’ve celebrated milestones, including the opening of the new Kennewick High School, classroom additions and athletic facility upgrades at Kamiakin and Southridge high schools and the debut of a new online school program.We’ve...
When a pandemic can’t slow a community down, you know you’re living in exciting times. While we may not have been able to completely leave Covid-19 in the rearview mirror in 2021, West Richland sure hit the ground running with some exciting growth, and there are no signs of slowing...
From “asymptomatic” and “asynchronous learning,” to “quarantine,” “pivot,” and “Zoom,” coronavirus-related words have wormed their way into our lexicon this year.Though we’ve become fluent in talking about Covid-19, it’s been difficult to navigate our new world with evolving health advice, changing government mandates and so many new rules to follow.Is...
Our annual list of the most-read stories on the Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business’ website covered a range of topics always popular with our readers – property, land and restaurant sales, and planned restaurant openings.But the coronavirus theme also ran through our top stories, just as it did our communities.Among...
About a year ago I was contacted by an executive search firm to apply for the president/CEO position at the Tri-City Development Council, or TRIDEC.After a two-month process, I was selected. We sold our house in Lewiston and moved down the Snake River to start the best job I have...
